Beaujolais International Marathon 2025
See more about the offersMarathon International du Beaujolais
- Next event : Sat, November 22, 2025Date confirmed
- Last event : Sat, November 23, 2024
The event in a few words
Run, drink, eat, run, drink, eat... The Beaujolais International Marathon is a feast for the taste buds and a true test of endurance! 😮💨
Villefranche-sur-Saône, located in the Rhône region, plays host to an absolutely incredible event! 🤯 In November, this road race will make you forget the cold and create unforgettable memories, all in a crazy atmosphere! 🥳 The route winds through the valleys amongst the Beaujolais vineyards, between roads, vineyard paths 🍇, and castles, outlining the Beaujolais International Marathon.
But first, let's take a step back to understand the origins of this event... It's easily seen as the little brother of the Medoc Marathon 💊. Birthed from the slightly crazy idea of three friends returning from the Big Apple 🍏 after running the New York Marathon 🗽. The year was 1995, and the idea to recreate a festive and friendly marathon "made in Beaujolais", akin to their New York experience, began to take root 💭. What followed is history: an event that now attracts over 23,000 participants in its latest 2023 edition! 😱 A festival that indeed celebrates Beaujolais heritage 🕺.
So much to share about this grand sportive celebration, but let's focus on the race first! On the agenda are 5 zany courses charted between Fleurie and Villefranche-sur-Saône ! Choices include: the Beaujolais Marathon, the Marathon-Relay (for teams of 3 or 4), the Beaujolais Half-Marathon, the "13 km of Rhône", and the "Family Marathon" of 2.5 km for children. If racing isn't your thing but you're all heart, there's the female and charity hike of 7.5 km "Rando POUR ELLES" 🎗️. And just so you know, you'll be tackling this somewhat hilly vineyard route in costume (because it's more fun 🤪), visiting a few local producers along the way! 👨🌾 If you're not too dizzy 🥴, you’ll pass by several castles (Corcelles, Pizay, Longsard to name a few) 🏰. The route takes you through numerous local towns (Corcelles-en-Beaujolais, Saint-Lager, Denicé, Gleizé) and even major cities (Belleville-sur-Saône, Charentay). The extraordinary hospitality includes massage and osteopathy services available post-race to help you recover and enjoy the rest 💆.
Because yes, this friendly event is packed with surprises! Here, the atmosphere is incredibly festive! The marathon village opens from Friday noon ☀️. On the menu 🍴: the traditional pasta party 🍝 on Friday, the wild Saturday night, and Sunday at the Wine Hamlet. That's not all, of course! The refreshment stations boast five-star quality, with fifteen tastings (drink responsibly) 🍷. And come on, we know the drill! The costume isn't just for the race, we want to see you in it throughout the festival 🦸. Nearly every participant gets into the spirit; it's the quintessential event of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region! Each year, it becomes a massive, super-friendly family gathering. The numerous activities and the strong support from spectators will push you to the finish line 🏁. To make the most of the region, numerous cottages and hotels are available nearby, and you'll find it's a hiker's paradise! 👟 And if you're eager to try even more local delicacies, treat yourself to a fine Beaujolais sausage or the traditional Juliénas coq au vin. It's going to be delicious! 😋
Sport 🏋️♀️, celebration 🥳, and gastronomy 🍽️, before, during, and after the race: the Beaujolais International Marathon is no small affair! 🍻
4 reasons to join this race
A distance for every taste
- MarathonTOP
- Half Marathon
- 13 km
- 7.5 km
- 2.5 km
- Saturday, November 22, 2025
- 2,000+ runners in the last edition
A few more words
"Ladies and gentlemen, get ready, we are about to start!" Shoes tied, watch ready, eyes and ears wide open: perfect, you have everything you need for a crazy marathon filled with music, tastings, and (a bit of) running! 🤪
Starting from Fleurie, your goal will be to reach Villefranche-sur-Saône crossing the 42 km that lie between. To help you, plentiful wine tastings (always in moderation), refreshments, and numerous music bands will be present along the course. In fact, just after 3 kilometers, you'll already have the chance to enjoy a glass of Beaujolais 🍷 in Lancié, to kick off your run in style. 😆
The rest of your journey will be dotted with castles, and even more castles! Corcelles Castle (km 4.5), Pizay Castle (km 10), La Terrière Castle (km 15), Ravatys Castle (km 17), La Brasse Castle (km 20), and finally Petit Talancé Castle (km 35) will mark your strides and offer a magical backdrop 🏰. At each of these castles, you'll enjoy a wine tasting accompanied by a music band to set the mood. 🎶
After this series of castles and lively songs, you will gradually approach the end of your run. A quick pass through Gleizé, and Villefranche-sur-Saône will open its gates and Joseph Balloffet Avenue. What's so special about it? It will crown your journey with a dozen wine tasting points 😮. After going through the famous Rue Nationale (or 'Rue Nat' to the locals), you'll finally head towards the finish line!
Marathon - Relais à 3
Road Running- Saturday, November 22, 2025
A few more words
In this race format, you'll follow the same route as the solo marathon runners. Since the route is the same, you'll pass through 12 communities and enjoy 15 wine tastings spread along the way. But be warned, if you decide to share the run with your teammates, you'll also have to share the wine! 😜
More seriously, here's the relay breakdown:
For teams of 3:
• Relay 1: from Fleurie to Cercié (16 km)
• Relay 2: from Cercié to Arnas (14 km)
• Relay 3: from Arnas to the finish line (12 km)
For teams of 4:
• Relay 1: from Fleurie to Cercié (16 km)
• Relay 2: from Cercié to Charentay (5 km)
• Relay 3: from Charentay to Arnas (9 km)
• Relay 4: from Arnas to the finish line (12 km)
Marathon - Relais à 4
Road Running- Saturday, November 22, 2025
A few more words
In this race format, you'll follow the same course as the solo marathoners 🏃♂️. This means crossing through 12 towns and enjoying 15 wine tastings scattered along the route 🤯. But remember, since you decided to share the effort with your buddies, you'll also have to share the wine! 😜
More seriously, here's how the relay legs are divided:
For teams of 4:
- Relay 1: from Fleurie to Cercié (16 km)
- Relay 2: from Cercié to Charentay (5 km)
- Relay 3: from Charentay to Arnas (9 km)
- Relay 4: from Arnas to the finish line (12 km)
Semi-Marathon du Beaujolais
Road Running- Saturday, November 22, 2025
- 5,000+ runners in the last edition
A few more words
Get ready for a loop through the Beaujolais vineyards 🍷 starting from Villefranche-sur-Saône!
After a few strides in Caladois territory, head towards Gleizé. You'll then pass by the Domaine de la Ruisselière and through the town of Lacenas. Along the way, you’ll have several opportunities to taste Beaujolais wines to boost your spirits! 🍷 You’ll reach Denicé at km 8, followed by a series of castles starting at the 13th km: Château Le Colombier, Château du Petit Talancé, and Grand Talancé. Then, it's back to Villefranche-sur-Saône, along the Avenue des Crus where a dozen tastings await you, its Rue Nat’ and finally to the finish line! 🏁
13 km du Rhône
Road Running- Saturday, November 22, 2025
- 6,000+ runners in the last edition
A few more words
The most accessible race of the Beaujolais International Marathon, the 13 km of the Rhône is a fun and festive run that is eagerly anticipated each year!
Starting with a loop from Villefranche-sur-Saône, this 13 km race will first take you through Gleizé, a small neighboring town. Just past the halfway point, you will be able to admire the Château de la Venerie. Then you will continue your stride back towards your starting point 📍.
With 2 refreshment stops and 7 wine tastings planned along the route, you can say that you'll be reenergized before you even start to feel tired! 😅
7.5 km : RANDO POUR ELLES
Walking- Saturday, November 22, 2025
A few more words
For the second consecutive year, the Beaujolais Marathon is organizing a 7.5 km charity walk in partnership with the "Run FOR THEM" association.
The "Walk FOR THEM" is an easy and accessible event that follows a looped road course. It's a chance to be part of a major sporting celebration while contributing to a noble cause: raising funds for the fight against women's cancers. €10 from each registration will be donated to this cause.
Important: there is one requirement - you must wear pink! 🌸
2.5 km : Family Marathon
Road Running- Saturday, November 22, 2025
A few more words
The Beaujolais Marathon welcomes everyone from youngsters to adults, making this event a true celebration of sports! 🎉
Featured in the Family Marathon is a 2.5 km loop around Villefranche-sur-Saône, which participants can choose to complete once or twice, catering to all preferences 😋.
This race is open to children of all ages, but those under 12 must be accompanied by an adult 👨👩👧👦.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Marathon: starts at 9 AM in Fleurie
Relay Marathon: starts at 8:50 AM in Fleurie
Half Marathon: starts at 12 PM in Villefranche-sur-Saône (Avenue St Exupéry)
13 km Rhône run: starts at 1:30 PM in Villefranche-sur-Saône (Avenue St Exupéry)
Rando FOR HER: starts at 2:30 PM in Villefranche-sur-Saône (Avenue St Exupéry)
Family Marathon: starts at 10 AM at the Villefranche-sur-Saône town hall
For the Marathon starting in Fleurie, a shuttle service is available from ParcExpo to Fleurie. It operates between 6:30 and 7:15 AM.
Marathon: 21.1 km at 12:30 PM - 30.1 km at 2 PM - 42.2 km at 4 PM
Half Marathon: 13.2 km at 2:30 PM - 21.1 km at 4 PM
13 km Rhône run: 7.3 km at 2:40 PM - 13 km at 4:30 PM
Refreshment stations will be available every 5 km along all race routes.
Yes, there will be four pace setters available: 3h15, 3h30, 3h45, 4h.
Available for you:
Showers: open to all participants with bibs. Located at the Mongré swimming pool
Baggage check: you can leave ONLY the bag provided by the organization (with your personal belongings inside). It can be collected after the race upon presenting your bib
Changing rooms: provided and accessible upon presenting your bib
You can collect your bib on November 21 and 22, 2024, from 10 AM to 8 PM. Just head to PARC EXPO village: 121 avenue de l’Europe 69400 Villefranche sur Saône. You can also opt to have your bib mailed to you during registration. The deadline for registration is October 20, 2024. This option is only available for individual registrations.
To collect your bib, you must bring the “card pick-up” invitation and a valid ID.
NO bibs will be issued on race day (Saturday, November 23, 2024).
Marathon solo: must be 20 years of age or older
Half Marathon: must be 18 years of age or older
Relay Marathon and 13 km Rhône run: must be 16 years of age or older
Rando FOR HER and Family Marathon: must be 12 years of age or older (children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult).
For minors, parental consent must be validated during the online registration process. Only the consent form provided by the organization will be accepted.
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