Le Marathon du Clair de Lune.
The Marathon du Clair de Lune is a full lap of Lake Annecy, started at 8 pm in Doussard and run mostly in the dark. Apart from the Talloires climb early on it is a calm lakeshore course, so the night rather than the profile shapes how you prepare.
Marathon du Clair de Lune 2027: Course, Route Profile & Map
From the town hall of Doussard at the south end of the lake, the course runs anticlockwise up the east shore. After about nine flat kilometres the only real climb starts at Talloires: roughly 1.7 km at close to seven percent and a little over 100 m of height on the road above the lake, followed by a drop back to Menthon-Saint-Bernard. The road stays gently rolling to Veyrier-du-Lac, then reaches Petit Port in Annecy-le-Vieux around km 20, where the two-person relay teams change over, and passes along the quays of Annecy's old town.
The second half is the opposite of the first: almost entirely flat on the paved west-shore cycle path, the old railway line through Sévrier, Saint-Jorioz and Duingt, including the former railway tunnel at Duingt. A short hump over Route de la Maladière and a gentle rise back into Doussard lead to the finish at the town hall.
Nearly two thirds of the distance is on cycle paths, the rest on roads and a few kilometres of tracks. The start is still in daylight, darkness falls after about an hour, and from then on you run beside the lake under compulsory lighting. The field is capped at 1,000 solo runners and 150 relay teams, and pacers on foot or on wheels are not allowed.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 9.3 | 2 km | 5 % | 9.9 % | +101 m | Cat. 4 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Marathon du Clair de Lune.
Start under control
The first nine kilometres to Talloires are flat and slightly downhill, and on fresh legs in the evening light you will run them too fast almost without noticing. Take the Talloires climb on feel rather than pace: insisting on marathon pace there gets paid back over the last 15 km. The descent to Menthon and the rolling road to Annecy are where you settle back into rhythm.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided on the long, flat west shore after Annecy. There is little terrain to pace you there, just darkness, few spectators and a monotonous cycle path. Holding an even effort here gains minutes; easing off after the climb and the bustle of the quays loses them.
Spend what is left
The trap is the night itself. Inside a torch beam you lose your sense of speed, and the late hour and cool air make it easy to neglect fuelling. Run by watch and breathing, take every aid station seriously and keep something for the final rise into Doussard.
Training plan for Marathon du Clair de Lune: 12-week build
Build the base
For most runners the marathon takes three and a half to five hours, with finishes well past midnight. The effort is steady and aerobic almost throughout; the one exception is the climb to Talloires early in the race, which briefly asks for noticeably more power.
Train race pace
The decisive phase is the flat second half in the dark. Build long runs with a closing block at marathon pace on flat ground, and practise holding pace by watch and feel without visual reference. One or two moderate climbs of a few minutes inside those long runs are enough to prepare for Talloires.
Rehearse the course
The conditions are unusual: an 8 pm start beside a lake in mid-May, with the night cooling as you go. Schedule some long runs in the evening, eat beforehand the way you plan to on race day, and train with the exact chest light or head torch you will wear. Test what clothing you still need beside the water after midnight.
Arrive fresh
Relay runners face the same demands on a smaller scale: runner one prepares for the climb and the rolling roads, runner two for a flat, even race in the dark, started after a wait at Petit Port.
Courses
Download the Marathon du Clair de Lune course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Le Marathon du Clair de Lune dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Le Marathon du Clair de Lune.
How long is Marathon du Clair de Lune?
Marathon du Clair de Lune is 42.2 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Marathon du Clair de Lune have?
Marathon du Clair de Lune has around 245 m of elevation gain over 42.2 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Marathon du Clair de Lune?
Marathon du Clair de Lune is classified as Rolling, averaging 5.8 vertical metres per kilometre. 65% of the route is flat, 16% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 0% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Marathon du Clair de Lune have?
The hardest climb of Marathon du Clair de Lune starts at kilometre 9.3, runs for 2 km at an average of 5% and gains 101 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4.
Is Marathon du Clair de Lune a loop course?
Yes, Marathon du Clair de Lune is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Marathon du Clair de Lune course?
Yes. The Marathon du Clair de Lune course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Marathon du Clair de Lune?
Preparation for Marathon du Clair de Lune should account for 42.2 km, 245 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Marathon du Clair de Lune?
The pacing strategy for Marathon du Clair de Lune should reflect 42.2 km, 245 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Le Marathon du Clair de Lune take place?
Le Marathon du Clair de Lune takes place on May 15, 2027.
Where does Le Marathon du Clair de Lune take place?
Le Marathon du Clair de Lune takes place in Doussard, France.
Which distances does Marathon du Clair de Lune offer?
Marathon du Clair de Lune offers 2 distances — Marathon: 42.2 km; Marathon en relais à 2: 42.2 km.
How do I register for Marathon du Clair de Lune?
Registration runs through the organiser: marathon-du-clair-de-lune.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
