Semi-marathon du Lion
The Lowdown
The Semi-marathon du Lion is Bourgogne-Franche-Comté's biggest running weekend, linking the neighboring cities of Montbéliard and Belfort in the Territoire de Belfort and Doubs departments of eastern France. Founded in 1983 by the athletics section of FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, the race debuted in April 1984 and earned IAAF certification in 1987; it hosted the French semi-marathon championships in 1994 and the World Championships in 1995, drawing 60 nations. The 2026 edition marks the 41st running on Sunday, September 27, 2026, and carries the French Athletics Federation's Gold Label. The course direction alternates every year, so 2026 runs from the Château des Ducs de Wurtemberg in Montbéliard to the foot of Bartholdi's Lion statue in Belfort, largely along the flat former national road D437, with about 43 meters of elevation gain and one notable rise near Andelnans around the 15-kilometer mark. Alongside the semi-marathon, the weekend includes a 10K, the women's 5K "La Féline," a Saturday evening Noctilion, and adapted joëlette races, drawing roughly 8,000 total participants and 20,000 spectators along the route.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Medium-sized race
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Excellent spectator turnout
Lion de Bartholdi (Belfort's iconic lion statue, race finish line)
Château des Ducs de Wurtemberg (Montbéliard, near the race start)
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Montbéliard to Belfort, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
FR
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Minimum age 17 (born 2009 or earlier) for the semi-marathon
- Valid medical certificate or athletics license required at registration
Required Documents
- Photo ID
- Medical certificate or valid FFA/athletics license less than one year old, per standard French road race rules
Entry Methods
- Online registration via the Le Sportif / Registration4All partner platform
- Bank card payment only
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Entry fees are generally non-refundable per standard French road race convention; optional registration insurance may be offered at signup
Course direction alternates every year between Belfort-to-Montbéliard and Montbéliard-to-Belfort; the 2026 edition runs Montbéliard to Belfort
Hosted the 1995 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships with 60 participating nations
The 2025 edition received the French Athletics Federation's Label Or (Gold Label)
Training for this race?
Track your training, follow a plan, and prepare for race day with MarathonOS.
Scan to download
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.