Running Events in Lyon

Welcome to Lugdunum (it's not a football player, but indeed the former name of Lyon) which offers a delicious mix between Roman remains and religious buildings, but not only! Are you ready to discover all the treasures of the Rhône Prefecture? Then lace up your sneakers and follow us!

With its semi-continental climate consisting of hot and stormy summers, dry and cold winters, with frequent and light rainfall, Lyon is not only a geographical crossroads but also a sports hub. Between Saône and Rhône (the river this time), a few steps away from Switzerland 🇨🇭 and the Alps, Lyon offers a variety of terrains to train and discover the most beautiful neighborhoods at the same time.

Of course, your adventure begins on the Presqu'île, the city’s nerve center with its small streets, shops, and numerous restaurants. Then continue your journey to see the city's classics: Place Bellecour, Place des Cordeliers, Place des Terreaux, Place des Jacobins and of course all of Vieux Lyon. The Croix-Rousse, nicknamed “the Hill that works” may be residential, but there are some climbs to work those quadriceps and stunning streets to discover. Strolling (or running) on the quays is a must! With a bit of luck, you'll end up at the city's colorful markets, ideal for stocking up on vitamins 🍌! For more elevation, Fourvière alias “the Hill that prays” because of the basilica dominating the city is an excellent spot, just like the very popular Monts d’Or among trail enthusiasts. The Duchère, the third hill of Lyon overlooking the Saône, can be a wonderful place to gain some height. If you're looking for flat ground, the Parc de la Tête d'Or with its zoo and rose garden, as well as the riverbanks where you can head to the Musée des Confluences are a must-visit for all Lyon residents looking to enjoy some fresh air right in the city center. In short, running in Lyon is truly a pleasure, especially when you can switch up your routes by taking advantage of the traboules, these passages under houses that allow you to move from one street to another, which, when put together, make up 50km of underground galleries that were very useful during the two world wars and also during the time of the Canuts to protect the transfer of silk. If you want even more space and greenery, you can certainly head to the Parc de Parilly, the Parc Naturel de la Feyssine, or the Parc Miribel Jonage.

As for races, the calendar is full of events each with its own identity and showcasing Lyon in unique, authentic, and iconoclastic aspects, from day to night: Lyon Urban Trail, LUT by Night, Run in Lyon, SaintéLyon (to take a tour of the Loire), the Ultra boucle de la Sarra, Nordicwalkin'Lyon or the Ekiden de Lyon. It's also an opportunity to see the monuments that might have escaped your notice like the Gallo-Roman Theatre of Lyon, Gare des Brotteaux, or the Hôtel-Dieu.

Stereotypes about the city are often stubborn, but Lyon truly knows how to have fun. After running after your records, you can also chase the festivities: Nuits sonores and Fête des Lumières are world-renowned and highlight the city's heritage!

Finally, a visit to Lyon with a wolfish hunger would be very incomplete without sitting down at a bouchon to discover the local gastronomy, a French emblem notably stemming from the expertise of Paul Bocuse aptly nicknamed “the pope of French cuisine.”

And since Bernard Pivot was born in Lyon, you now know you must visit without fail!