Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
A point-to-point marathon round the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, from Sainte-Maxime past Saint-Tropez, Ramatuelle and La Croix-Valmer to Cavalaire-sur-Mer. The organiser pairs seafront, vineyards and garrigue hills with costumes, wine tastings and a slice of tarte tropézienne at the finish.
Course & Elevation
The first half is the flat part. From the start at the Pont du Préconil in Sainte-Maxime the course follows the shore of the gulf round to Saint-Tropez, and the first twenty kilometres barely rise at all. The race changes character after the halfway point: behind Saint-Tropez it turns into the hills of the peninsula towards Ramatuelle and La Croix-Valmer, with a series of short climbs between about 20 and 38 km, the steepest around 31 km and again near 37 km.
Our profile counts about 430 m of ascent over the distance; the organiser gives 340 m. Either way it is a marathon whose hard work is in the second half, finishing with a descent to the sea at Cavalaire-sur-Mer.
The race holds the French federation's Label Argent and is an age-group ranking event for the Abbott World Marathon Majors, yet the organiser also runs a costume contest and six pace groups from 3:30 to 5:00. Duo teams and 4- or 5-person relays share the same course.
Pacing Strategy
The profile punishes an even-pace plan built on the first half. The flat seafront from Sainte-Maxime to Saint-Tropez invites a fast opening, but every second banked there is paid back with interest on the climbs behind Ramatuelle. Run the first 20 km slightly slower than goal pace and treat it as the warm-up.
From halfway, switch to effort: let the pace drop on the climbs, recover on the crests and use the descents without braking hard. If you follow a pace group, remember its target is a finish time, not a constant speed; the groups too will slow in the hills.
Training plan for Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez: 12-week build
Build the usual marathon base: a long run that reaches 30 to 34 km, easy running for volume, and one or two quality sessions a week at marathon pace and threshold.
Because the hills come late, make your long runs finish on rolling ground. Running the last third of a long run over short climbs of a few hundred metres is the most specific preparation this course allows.
Include hill repeats of 1 to 3 minutes at marathon-to-threshold effort every week or two, and practise running downhill relaxed, since several of the climbs are followed by descents where tense legs lose time and take damage.
The race is in mid-March, on an open seafront for the first half and in inland hills for the second. Train in the clothing you will race in, and practise taking gels and drinks at the aid stations.
Course Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 20.0 | 0.4 km | 4.9% | 6.8% | +19m | — |
| KM 23.7 | 0.8 km | 4.3% | 5.8% | +34m | — |
| KM 28.1 | 0.4 km | 4.6% | 6.0% | +17m | — |
| KM 29.2 | 0.6 km | 3.4% | 5.5% | +19m | — |
| KM 31.0 | 0.8 km | 6.2% | 9.7% | +51m | — |
| KM 32.0 | 0.7 km | 4.9% | 17.5% | +34m | — |
| KM 37.2 | 0.3 km | 8.1% | 12.5% | +28m | — |
| KM 38.2 | 0.4 km | 3.1% | 4.0% | +12m | — |
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.
Course as GPX
Download the Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Adaptive race preparation
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez 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.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez?
Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez 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 Golfe de Saint-Tropez have?
Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez has around 429 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 Golfe de Saint-Tropez?
Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez is classified as Rolling, averaging 10.1 vertical metres per kilometre. 46% of the route is flat, 26% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 1% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez have?
The hardest climb of Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez starts at kilometre 31, runs for 0.8 km at an average of 6.2% and gains 51 metres. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez a loop course?
No, Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez course?
Yes. The Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez 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 Golfe de Saint-Tropez?
Preparation for Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez should account for 42.2 km, 429 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 Golfe de Saint-Tropez?
The pacing strategy for Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez should reflect 42.2 km, 429 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 Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez take place?
Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez takes place on March 14, 2027.
Where does Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez take place?
Marathon du Golfe de Saint-Tropez takes place in Sainte-Maxime, France.
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