Loire Marathon 2025
Book now- Next event : Sun, May 11, 2025Date confirmed
- Last event : Sun, May 5, 2024
- Half Marathon (21.0975 km) / Multisports / Marathon (42.195 km)
The event in a few words
In the month of May 🌸, when the springtime warmth is at its peak 🌞, the city of Saumur in the Loire Valley hosts the Marathon de la Loire. Under a bright sun and perfect temperatures 😌 for racking up the miles, the Maine-et-Loire department sets the stage for one of the most beautiful races in France 🇫🇷. There are three different events to choose from: a marathon (53 m elevation gain), a half-marathon, and a combined event (tandem canoe 🛶 & running 👟) for those who love both land 🪴 and water 💧. Original? That's the idea! 😏 Another great news: the 21 km and 42 km races are open to athletes with disabilities ♿️. Here's more on the Marathon de la Loire ⬇️.
As you might have guessed, if the 42 kilometers of the marathon sound a bit much for you, don't worry 👐. You can split the difference 🍐 with the half-marathon. Or, if you want something even more varied, you can choose the combined canoe and running event! 🏃♀️ This event, carried out in partnership 🖇️ (it's more practical and definitely more fun 😜), is a rare and challenging nature race that promises participants a rich emotional experience 🫶. The concept is simple: 12 km on the Loire in a tandem canoe followed by 17 km of running. It's undoubtedly the highlight of the competition as it requires as much technique, teamwork, and mental strength with your partner 👫.
However, don't make the mistake of thinking it's the most beautiful or even the most legendary! 🙅♀️ The reputation of the Marathon de la Loire is well established. Last year, 3,000 runners (😯) gathered to start the 42 km and 2,500 for the 21 km. The FFA Regional Label has even made the marathon a qualifying event ✔️ for the French championships 🇫🇷. These races, as beautiful as they are demanding, promise you stunning scenery 😍 and a vibrant atmosphere ⚡. Indeed, the historic town 📚 of Saumur, a UNESCO World Heritage site 🌎, hosts the event near its famous castle 🏰. The setting couldn't be better! Between wooded and countryside landscapes 🌳, you'll admire the picturesque houses lining the royal river 👑, as the quaint town's banks become your playground 🛝 throughout the races... except when you're in the water for the canoe event! 😂 Naturally, the castle, listed as a historic monument since 1862, will always be in the background of this fantastic scenery 💫.
But there's more to the fame of the Marathon de Saumur ✋. A major perk ➕ for athletes is the flat course 📏. That's right, if you're stepping away from trail running, it might feel strange! 😅 On the other hand, if you're chasing your best time ⌚, it’s perfect! The race closely follows the banks of the Loire 🌊, taking you through villages like Saint-Lambert-des-Levées, Saint-Martin-de-la-Place, Saint-Clément-des-Levées, Gennes, Les-Rosiers-sur-Loire, and Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent... Lots of small towns that add a certain charm to the event! 💛
Don't think it'll be a walk in the park though! Know that the Marathon de la Loire also features a superb atmosphere all along the course, with local music bands 🎷🎹 and even DJs at key spots to accompany your strides 🎛️. In total, there are 42 entertainment spots on the marathon. Yes, you read that right, one for every km! 👏 The crowd will be large at the finish line! 📣 After running all those kilometers, you'll have definitely earned a little drink 🍷 of Anjou wine as your reward! Actually, there will be celebratory sparkling wine 🫧 to welcome you 🍾. Speaking of which, the rewards are quite motivating: a nice jacket 🧥 and a bottle of Crémant de Loire for marathoners 🎁.
Life is a long, serene river of 21.0975 km, 42.195 km, or filled with canoeing adventures!
4 reasons to join this race
A distance for every taste
- MarathonTOP
- Half Marathon
- Multisports
- Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 8:30 AM
- Elevation gain : 53mD+
- 3,000+ runners in the last edition
Semi-Marathon
Road Running- Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM
- Elevation gain : 35mD+
- 3,000+ runners in the last edition
Épreuve combinée en duo - Canoë + course à pied
Multisports- Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
- Canoe12 km
- Road Running16.8 km
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Loire Marathon:
- Phase 1 (from 29/08/24 to 03/12/24): €75
- Phase 2 (from 04/12/24 to 10/05/25): €85Loire Half-Marathon:
- Phase 1 (from 29/08/24 to 22/01/25): €50
- Phase 2 (from 23/01/25 to 10/05/25): €60Canoe Combo:
Phase 1 (from 29/08/24 to 10/05/25): €90/personSaturday, May 10, 2025, from 9 AM to 8 PM at the Exhibition Park, Avenue du Breil, 49400 Saumur.
For the marathon: Start on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 8 AM from Place de la République (Route de Saumur, 49400, Saumur)
For the half marathon: Start on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 8 AM from Île de Gennes (49350, Gennes)
For the combined event (12 km canoe + 17 km run): Start on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 8:40 AM from Cale Mayaud (49400, Saumur)
No, a medical certificate is no longer required to start the race.
The new PPS certificate available here replaces it. This Health Prevention Pathway (PPS) from the French Athletics Federation must be completed within 3 months before the event (from 11/02/2025) and its number must be entered on the registration platform.
FFA license holders must provide their 2024-2025 Athletics License numbers.
Minors must show a health questionnaire. Guardians certify that each section of the questionnaire results in a negative response. Otherwise, they must produce a medical certificate attesting to the absence of contraindications to sports or the specific discipline dated less than six months.
For more information about the Health Prevention Pathway (PPS), we recommend this article.
All refreshment stations will have both food and drinks at each point:
For the marathon: Every 5 km and at the finish line
For the half marathon: Every 5 km and at the finish line
For the combined event (12 km canoe + 17 km run): First refreshment at the end of the canoe section, then every 5 km and at the finish line
The Individual Marathon is open to all licensed and non-licensed runners from the U23 to Masters categories, born in 2005 and before (20 years old in 2025).
The half marathon is open to all licensed and non-licensed runners from the Junior to Masters categories, born in 2007 and before (18 years old in 2025).
The Combined Event (two-person canoe – run) is open to all runners born in 2005 and before (20 years old in 2025).
For the marathon: 6 hours
For the half marathon: 3 hours
The details of the checkpoints are available in the rules and regulations document.
Para-athletes must have an approved helmet and an adapted wheelchair. Motorized devices, handbikes, or any other geared devices are not allowed.
For the combined event, the boat and all equipment will be provided by the organizer.
In the Individual Marathon, prize money will be awarded equally to the runners reaching the podium (top 3 in the male and female overall categories): €1,000 for the 1st place overall, €750 for the 2nd place overall, €500 for the 3rd place overall. A performance bonus, which is equal and cumulative, will reward runners achieving the following performances: €300 for any male runner finishing under 2h20, €300 for any female runner finishing under 2h45.
In the half marathon, prize money will be awarded equally to the runners reaching the podium (top 3 in the male and female overall categories): €600 for the 1st place overall, €400 for the 2nd place overall, €200 for the 3rd place overall.
You can become a volunteer by clicking on this link.
You can contact the organizers:
by mail: 19 quai Carnot, Saumur, 49400
by email: contact@marathon-loire.fr
by phone: 02 52 60 59 00
by filling out a contact form on the race's website
Focus
Sponsors
More races await you
The new generation platform that allows all runners, whatever their level, to (re)discover the French territory and heritage, by finding the races that suit them.
Made in France, between Lyon and Nantes