© Abalone Marathon De Nantes / Arthur Aumond
Saturday Night, Sunday Morning… or Something Else ? The weekend running slots every runner loves to debate
The expression “Sunday runner” has never felt more accurate. Between the sacred Sunday-morning start, the relaxed vibe of Saturday night, and a growing number of alternative formats, picking a race time can feel like a puzzle. Performance, atmosphere, and body clock all come into play. So… which slot wins?
| Sunday Mornings: A Sacred Ritual
Quiet streets, cool air, soft daylight — Sunday mornings feel almost ceremonial. For many, waking at dawn is part of the ritual: coffee, warm-up, reunion with other runners. “There’s nothing like Sunday morning to feel alive!” says Léa, a regular on the Paris racing scene.
Like her, plenty of runners find charm in starting before sunrise. There’s the crisp air, the first rays of light, and that shared tension humming through the start corral. The collective energy is massive, and some runners even admit they post their best times on Sunday mornings.
Still, there’s a universal drawback: getting out of bed when it’s still dark is tough. Beyond raw performance, it’s about the experience. Sunday mornings mean tradition — community, familiar faces, and ritual. Saturday nights, on the other hand, offer a more relaxed or festive atmosphere. And alternative formats allow runners to explore new neighborhoods, discover new courses with smaller groups, or combine running with a social outing.
| Saturday Nights: The Rising Challenger
In the last few years, Saturday evening events have taken off. Runners arrive more relaxed, muscles already warm from the day. No need for a brutal alarm, no oversized coffee — and many races feel more intimate or festive. “I love running after a full day — it feels like a reward,” explains Julien, a fan of night races.
By evening, the body is loose, the stride smoother — and the setting more atmospheric. Lights, music, entertainment… plenty of races now lean into spectacle. Urban routes glow with LEDs and DJ booths; organizers build immersive experiences where the run becomes an event in itself. For those wanting both performance and pleasure, Saturday night often hits the sweet spot.
| Alternative Formats: Afternoons, Weekdays & Creative Setups
Beyond Saturday night, new race slots keep popping up. Afternoon races are gaining momentum: no lost sleep, and they’re great for families and friends who want to cheer. Emma, a fan of city races held in the afternoon, says: “It’s more intimate, less crowded, and you see the city from a new angle. Honestly, sometimes it’s more fun than a classic Sunday morning.”
Race time also affects performance. Morning muscles may be stiff and your stride slower; afternoons and evenings give a warmed-up body and more energy, which can lead to better times. Experienced runners adapt their training around their chosen slot, balancing sleep, recovery, and warm-up.
| Post-Work Racing: Clock Out, Lace Up
Some organizers now offer weekday races, right after work — perfect for runners looking to keep up their routine without turning the entire weekend into a sporting mission. For those who don’t feel like waiting until Saturday or Sunday, Paris is rolling out more and more mid-week or evening events: the Course des Lumières on the Champs-Élysées, Lumière & Vision, a 10K right in the heart of the capital, and the Urgent Run Paris was on Saturday, November 8 — a fun 5K or 10K filled with entertainment and good vibes.
Urban parks such as the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes also host smaller-scale formats, perfect for a post-work shakeout. And beyond the capital, other cities have embraced the concept: the Lyon Urban Trail by Night on November 1, the now-defunct 5K night race at the Bordeaux Métropole Marathon, as well as various evening events in Lille — not to mention Les Foulées de l’Éléphant during the Abalone Marathon in Nantes. As race director Julien Gaborieau told us, he wanted “to offer participants a fresh experience and do things differently in the running world.”
These night-time races let runners enjoy urban courses in a festive, social setting — without waiting for the weekend. Alternative formats are now gaining space, giving everyone the chance to run when it best fits their rhythm, their energy, and their mood, all while discovering the city from an entirely new angle.
| Saturday Night or Sunday Morning: Choose Your Joy
In the end, there’s no single “best” time. It all depends on your rhythm, goals, and mood. Some will hold onto Sunday morning for tradition and race-day adrenaline. Others will favor Saturday evenings for freedom and fun. And for the adventurous, afternoons and weekday races offer fresh options. The good news? Everyone can find a slot that fits their lifestyle and makes the most of their weekend. After all, running is first and foremost about pleasure — whether under a bright Saturday afternoon sun, the streetlights of Saturday night, or the cool dawn of Sunday morning.
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Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
05/11/2025
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