Marathon Var Provence Verte.
The Marathon Var Provence Verte runs point to point through the back country of the Var, from the contemporary art centre in Châteauvert to the race village in Brignoles, past five villages, vineyards and the Argens valley. The first half drifts gently downhill and the second climbs slowly back up, and that split is what your preparation has to answer.
Marathon Var Provence Verte 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
From the start in Châteauvert the course follows small country roads and farm tracks to Correns and Montfort-sur-Argens. After a short ramp around km 3 it loses about 50 m of height by Carcès at halfway, mostly too gradually to notice. That is the low point of the day, and the spot where the third relay runner hands over to the fourth.
From Carcès the race changes character. It runs south along the Lac de Carcès and wins back some 70 m by Vins-sur-Caramy around km 33, spread over several short rises of three to seven percent, the longest at km 28. Runners from past editions single out exactly the stretch between km 25 and 35 as the one that hurts. The last seven kilometres into Brignoles stay rolling and finish slightly uphill at the race village on the Augustins car park.
The organiser sells it as a nature marathon on a human scale: vineyards, olive groves, lavender and streams instead of city blocks, with tarmac on quiet lanes and some sections on tracks. Mid May in Provence can already be warm, and the organiser explicitly advises a hat. Buses take you from the finish to the start in the morning.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2.7 | 0.3 km | 5.3 % | 8.2 % | +17 m | — |
| km 20.5 | 0.5 km | 3.4 % | 5.4 % | +17 m | — |
| km 27.8 | 0.7 km | 4.1 % | 6.7 % | +27 m | — |
| km 33 | 0.5 km | 4.1 % | 5.4 % | +19 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 Marathon Var Provence Verte.
Start under control
The first half is the trap. Down to Carcès the course trends downhill, you feel quick and fresh, and that is exactly where the debt for later is built. Run this section deliberately a touch slower than goal pace; seconds banked here are worthless if you repay them twice over from km 25.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between Carcès and Vins-sur-Caramy. The rises are short, but they arrive together just as glycogen runs low. Run them by effort rather than by the watch, shorten your stride and pick the speed back up over each crest. If you are still running smoothly at km 33, you can hold on through the rolling run-in to Brignoles.
Spend what is left
The second trap is heat. A 9:00 start means you carry the hard second half towards midday. Use the aid stations at km 7, 13, 21, 28, 33 and 38 every time, even if you do not feel thirsty early on.
Training plan for Marathon Var Provence Verte: 12-week build
Build the base
For most age-group runners this marathon takes between three and a half and five and a half hours, and the time limit is six hours. The effort is mostly steady and aerobic, but in the second half many short rises break it up and force small surges on tired legs.
Train race pace
The decisive stretch is Carcès to Vins-sur-Caramy, km 21 to 34. Make your long runs hilly at the back end: the first two thirds flat and easy, the last third over rolling ground at marathon effort. That teaches you to stay efficient uphill on fatigued legs instead of simply ticking off the distance.
Rehearse the course
Add short hill repeats of 60 to 90 seconds at three to six percent and strength work for calves and glutes. Because part of the course runs on tracks rather than tarmac, do some long runs on firm farm tracks and test your race shoe there.
Arrive fresh
Prepare for warmth. The organiser itself warns of high temperatures in May. Schedule a few long runs into the late morning, practise drinking on the move and try out your hat and sun protection in training, not on race day.
Courses
Download the Marathon Var Provence Verte course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Marathon Var Provence Verte 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 Var Provence Verte.
How long is Marathon Var Provence Verte?
Marathon Var Provence Verte 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 Var Provence Verte have?
Marathon Var Provence Verte has around 350 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 Var Provence Verte?
Marathon Var Provence Verte is classified as Rolling, averaging 8.3 vertical metres per kilometre. 48% of the route is flat, 29% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 0% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Marathon Var Provence Verte have?
The hardest climb of Marathon Var Provence Verte starts at kilometre 27.8, runs for 0.7 km at an average of 4.1% and gains 27 metres. 4 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Marathon Var Provence Verte a loop course?
No, Marathon Var Provence Verte is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Marathon Var Provence Verte course?
Yes. The Marathon Var Provence Verte 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 Var Provence Verte?
Preparation for Marathon Var Provence Verte should account for 42.2 km, 350 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 Var Provence Verte?
The pacing strategy for Marathon Var Provence Verte should reflect 42.2 km, 350 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 Var Provence Verte take place?
Marathon Var Provence Verte takes place on May 16, 2027.
Where does Marathon Var Provence Verte take place?
Marathon Var Provence Verte takes place in Brignoles, France.
Which distances does Marathon Var Provence Verte offer?
Marathon Var Provence Verte offers 7 distances — Marathon: 42.2 km; Marathon Relais à 5: 42.2 km; Marathon Duo: 42.2 km; Run & Bike Marathon: 42.2 km; Semi-Marathon: 21.1 km; 10,7 km: 10.7 km and 1 more.
How do I register for Marathon Var Provence Verte?
Registration runs through the organiser: marathon-var-provence-verte.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
