Royan Marathon U Côte de Beauté heads for a sell-out ninth edition

On May 24, the seaside resort of Royan in Charente-Maritime will host the ninth edition of the so-called “8 Beaches” Marathon. No fewer than 7,500 runners are expected on the start line across the marathon, half marathon and 10K. It is a surge of interest for an event built around its famously friendly spirit.

The course for the Marathon de Royan is idyllic and has played a major role in the event’s growing reputation. Runners will follow the coastline from cove to cove, brushing shoulders with the ocean at every turn. By the start of last winter, the organisers had already sensed the growing demand for the flagship race, the marathon. “When we saw how quickly entries were coming in, we increased the marathon capacity by 500 places”, says Jean-Pierre Dumon, president of the Marathon de Royan association. A total of 1,550 athletes will set off on Saturday, May 24, for two loops from Royan to Saint-Palais, taking in Meschers. “Running is going through a golden period. After Covid, people seem keen to let loose, but I don’t have the exact explanation. If we had opened the floodgates, we would have had 12,000 runners in total, but we need to be able to manage the event,” Dumon explains.

Freddy Guimard on the start line

The Alès Cévennes Athlétisme runner, who impressed at last October’s Rennes Green Marathon with a 2:14:26, is returning to Royan for the second time. After winning the half marathon in 2023 and taking first place with a course record last year in 2:23:02, he is the clear favourite this time around. With 170m of elevation gain, the Marathon de Royan U Côte de Beauté is not flat enough for record times. “He can run 2:20 here,” the organisers say. Freddy Guimard, the 2017 French marathon champion, has a personal best of 2:13:53 for the distance.

In the women’s race, Spaniard Rebeca Ruiz Diez is back for the third time, having won in both 2023 and 2024 in a strong 2:57:48. On the half marathon, Julia Paduch from Périgueux is returning after winning last year in 1:22:50. She will line up alongside last year’s men’s winner, Nantes-based Said Elfadil, who ran 1:09:14. The race should deliver plenty of entertainment, with Julien Samson of Alès Cévennes Athlétisme first taking on the 10K at 8:30 a.m. before doubling back for the half marathon.

The 10K heads to Pontaillac before returning to Royan city centre and will feature a primarily local field. In total, 83 departments will be represented over the sporting weekend.

Race-day information

➜ Start: Boulevard de la République, opposite Place Charles de Gaulle

➜ Finish: on Grande Conche beach

➜ Marathon Village: Esplanade Kérimel de Kervéno, open Friday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

➜ Regular aid stations : water points and misting stations along the courses

➜ Live music: throughout the races to keep the atmosphere festive.

Entries by race

Marathon: 1,500 entries
Half marathon: 3,100 entries
10K: 1,800 entries
Children’s races: 600 entries

The Marathon de Royan U Côte de Beauté is determined to preserve its family-friendly, welcoming spirit. “Above all, this is a mass-participation race,” the organisers insist. Aid stations will feature tastings of local produce, giving runners something to enjoy while they get their miles in.

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