Run in Lyon Marathon
The Lowdown
Run in Lyon is an established autumn marathon that has grown into one of France’s most popular city races since its launch, drawing both international competitors and a strong local field. Held in early October, the event builds on Lyon’s rich sporting and cultural traditions, offering a well-organized race weekend with expo, pasta party and community festivities. The marathon sits alongside shorter races (half marathon, 10K, relays) that create a festival atmosphere and make it a destination for clubs, families and elite athletes alike. The course weaves through Lyon’s most iconic neighborhoods and along the Rhône and Saône rivers, taking in landmark views of Vieux Lyon, the Presqu’île, Parc de la Tête d’Or and panoramic vantage points toward Fourvière hill. Runners experience a mix of flat riverside fast sections and gently rolling stretches with historic cityscapes and leafy park passages, making it both scenic and competitively fast. Road surfaces are largely smooth and the looped/point-to-point routing is carefully marshaled to maximize runner safety and spectator support. Run in Lyon’s organizational quality includes a measured and certified course, and the marathon is AIMS-certified and recognized for Boston Marathon qualification standards. The event is known for its lively, friendly atmosphere—cheering crowds, local music and food stalls—while providing professional race services (chip timing, aid stations, medical support) so both first-time marathoners and seasoned racers can aim for strong performances or enjoy a memorable city running experience.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Large field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
Women's and men's marathon wins; women's course record lowered
Oct 5, 2025At Run In Lyon 2025 Mustapha Salmi won the men's marathon in 2:23:24, while Jeanne Garreau won the women's race and lowered the women's course record to 2:43:34 (a reduction of about six minutes from the previous mark). These results were published on the race's official site summarizing the 2025 edition.
Event posts all-time participation high — 33,000 entrants and sold out fields
Oct 2, 2025Organizers reported a record field for the 2025 edition with 33,000 runners across the marathon, half and 10K; all races were reported as sold out (registrations filled months earlier), and the event increased the overall participant cap from prior years to meet demand.
Boston Qualifier
This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.
Parc de la Tête d'Or
The race starts in Lyon’s largest urban park, known for its botanical gardens and lake
Quai Claude Bernard / Rhône riverbanks
Runners follow scenic riverside paths along the Rhône with views of the city
Place Bellecour
The course passes through Europe’s largest pedestrian square in the heart of the Presqu’île
Vieux Lyon
Passage through the historic Renaissance quarter with narrow cobblestone streets and traboules
Basilique Notre‑Dame de Fourvière
The route climbs/viewpoints near the hilltop basilica offering panoramic views over Lyon
Croix‑Rousse
Runners traverse the former silk-weavers’ neighborhood with steep streets and a strong local atmosphere
Pont Raymond Barre / Saône riverbanks
The course crosses and runs alongside the Saône with views of historic bridges and riverside buildings
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Lyon, France
FR
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Be at least 18 years old on race day (2026-10-04)
- Provide either a valid medical certificate dated within one year stating no contraindication to competitive running or present a valid athletics federation license (FFA or equivalent)
- Register and pay the entry fee before the registration deadline
- Agree to and comply with the race rules, safety instructions and marshal directions
- Be capable of completing the marathon within the official time limit (6 hours)
- Comply with anti-doping regulations and any identity verification required by the organisers
Required Documents
- Medical Certificate
- Photo ID
- Signed Waiver
Entry Methods
- Online Registration
- Charity Entry
- Tour Operator
- Club/Group Entries
- Elite/Invited Athletes
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Registrations are non-refundable
Bib transfers to another registered runner allowed until 7 days before the race via the organizer; transfer fee €10
Change of distance/name permitted up to 7 days before the race subject to availability and an administrative fee of €10
If the organizer cancels the event (e.g., for safety/force majeure) entrants will be offered deferral to the 2027 edition or a partial refund with an administrative fee retained
Medical withdrawals: no standard refund, but deferral to the next edition may be granted upon submission of a medical certificate and payment of an administrative fee of €10
The marathon course runs along both the Rhône and Saône rivers and passes historic landmarks including Place Bellecour, Vieux Lyon and the Basilica of Notre‑Dame de Fourvière, offering varied urban and riverside scenery.
Race weekend includes an official expo for bib pickup and gear, a Saturday evening pasta party option for participants, and a kids' run event to involve families.
Finishers receive a custom finisher medal and a technical race shirt, and there is a post‑race area with refreshments and a beer garden for runners and spectators.
The course features a notable climb toward Fourvière that is relatively short but can be decisive; aid stations are frequent (roughly every 2–3 km) with water, sports drink and on‑course toilets.
Public transport access is excellent—start/finish near central metro and tram stops—so plan to use Lyon’s TCL network for arrival and leave extra time for bag drop and security checks.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.