Marathon du Vercors.
The Vercors Marathon is a road marathon run above 1,000 metres: one big loop across the Quatre Montagnes plateau, with the Col de la Croix Perrin as its high point in the final quarter. Preparing for it means preparing for a hilly marathon in thinner but cooler air.
Vercors Marathon 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are in Villard-de-Lans. The opening kilometres drop gently northwards, then the route climbs long and almost imperceptibly through Méaudre to Autrans and on to its northernmost point around kilometre 22. This first half is softly rolling and works as a run-up rather than a test.
The race is decided afterwards. Heading back south, the climb to the Col de la Croix Perrin at 1,218 metres starts around kilometre 26: 5.4 kilometres and a little over 200 metres of gain at about four percent on average according to the organiser. From the pass the road drops to Lans-en-Vercors, and the last kilometres cross the plateau back to Villard-de-Lans with a slight rise to the finish.
The course is entirely on asphalt and paved paths, through forest, open high meadows and gorge sections, with the limestone ridges of the Vercors in view. The organiser quotes about 550 metres of climbing. In early June the plateau is usually much cooler than the Grenoble valley; at the first edition, held during a heatwave, that was exactly its advantage.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 5.9 | 0.5 km | 4.8 % | 14.4 % | +25 m | — |
| km 12 | 0.8 km | 3.9 % | 10.1 % | +31 m | — |
| km 23.8 | 0.8 km | 3.8 % | 8 % | +29 m | — |
| km 26.3 | 1.3 km | 6.2 % | 21.3 % | +79 m | — |
| km 27.7 | 0.6 km | 11.4 % | 19.3 % | +63 m | — |
| km 28.6 | 0.4 km | 12.7 % | 20.3 % | +44 m | — |
| km 39.5 | 0.6 km | 5.6 % | 23 % | +35 m | — |
| km 41 | 1 km | 5.8 % | 19.5 % | +56 m | — |
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 Vercors Marathon.
Start under control
Plan the race as two very different halves. As far as Autrans and the northern turn the road rises almost imperceptibly; running your flat marathon pace here gets billed later. Run by feel and heart rate rather than the watch, and expect the altitude to make the same pace feel a little harder anyway.
Hold your rhythm
The Croix Perrin is the race-deciding section: a long, steady climb from around kilometre 26, exactly where glycogen runs short. Take it with shorter steps and constant effort, and give time away on the hill rather than forcing it.
Spend what is left
The trap sits beyond the pass. The descent to Lans-en-Vercors invites you to let go, but steep downhill running wears out the quads, and there are still about ten kilometres across the plateau with a final rise into Villard-de-Lans.
Training plan for Vercors Marathon: 12-week build
Build the base
For most runners this marathon takes noticeably longer than a flat city marathon, often four to five and a half hours. The effort is mainly aerobic but less even than on a flat course, because of the constant gentle gradients and the long pass climb.
Train race pace
The Croix Perrin after more than 25 kilometres decides the race. Build long runs with the climbing in the back half, for example a 30 km run with a steady 4 to 6 km climb after two thirds. Add downhill running on tired legs so the descent to Lans-en-Vercors does not wreck your legs for the finish.
Rehearse the course
The altitude of 950 to just over 1,200 metres is moderate but noticeable. A few training days at a similar height help you calibrate the effort without being essential; what matters more is steering pace by feel rather than by target time.
Arrive fresh
The start is early in the morning. In early June the plateau can start fresh and turn warm in the midday sun, so test clothing for both and practise fuelling on climbs, where eating and drinking are harder.
Courses
Download the Vercors Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Marathon du Vercors 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 Marathon du Vercors.
How long is Vercors Marathon?
Vercors Marathon 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 Vercors Marathon have?
Vercors Marathon has around 823 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 Vercors Marathon?
Vercors Marathon is classified as Hilly, averaging 19.4 vertical metres per kilometre. 22% of the route is flat, 34% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 5% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Vercors Marathon have?
The hardest climb of Vercors Marathon starts at kilometre 26.3, runs for 1.3 km at an average of 6.2% and gains 79 metres. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Vercors Marathon a loop course?
Yes, Vercors Marathon is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Vercors Marathon course?
Yes. The Vercors Marathon 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 Vercors Marathon?
Preparation for Vercors Marathon should account for 42.2 km, 823 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 Vercors Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Vercors Marathon should reflect 42.2 km, 823 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 Vercors take place?
Marathon du Vercors takes place on June 5, 2027.
Where does Marathon du Vercors take place?
Marathon du Vercors takes place in Villard-de-Lans, France.
Which distances does Vercors Marathon offer?
Vercors Marathon offers 3 distances — Marathon: 42.2 km; 20 km: 20 km; 10 km: 10 km.
How do I register for Vercors Marathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: marathonvercors.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
