Lille Marathon makes its grand return this Sunday, October 25, after 31 years away

More than three decades have passed. The Lille Marathon, once an institution in the 1980s, held ten editions before reinventing itself as a half marathon in 1996. Now it returns this Sunday, October 25, under the name Trek Marathon de Lille. For the city, the European Metropolis of Lille and the Hauts-de-France Athletics League, with Golazo handling the organisation, it is the culmination of a bold gamble: build on the half marathon’s success, which grew from 5,300 participants in 2022 to 18,000 in 2025, with entries closing three months before race day.

A marathon that sold out in two hours

The numbers showed there was real demand. Entries opened on December 1, and all 18,000 marathon places were snapped up in two hours, while 12,000 runners were placed on the waiting list. A total of 35,000 participants are expected, including 20,000 marathoners and 15,000 half-marathoners, representing 77 nationalities. The field is 67% male and 33% female, while the oldest runner will be 81 on race day.

A route through ten towns

After starting in central Lille, on Boulevard de la Liberté, at 11:15 a.m. for the marathon and 8:30 a.m. for the half marathon, the race will finish on the Esplanade du Champ de Mars, at the foot of the citadel. In between, the route passes through ten municipalities: Lille, Loos, Emmerin, Noyelles-lès-Seclin, Houplin-Ancoisne, Seclin, Templemars, Wattignies, Faches-Thumesnil and Ronchin. The half marathon stays closer to the capital of Flanders, passing through Wattignies, Faches-Thumesnil and Ronchin. For its first edition, the race has been awarded the French Athletics Federation’s Gold Road Label.

In the men’s race, Ethiopians Gebru Redaghgne, Gebru Ayele and Mulugeta Mereh, all three of them Ethiopian, are among the favourites, with personal bests of 2:05:58, 2:05:28 and 2:06:36 respectively. In the women’s race, Ethiopian Afera Berha (2:21:50), along with Kenyans Caroline Biwott (2:37:00) and Faith Chefpkoech are expected to feature at the front.

A city built for records

Lille did not need a marathon to make a name for itself. The city already hosts races on courses designed to be fast. On April 4, Jimmy Gressier set the European road 5K record there in 12:51. The marathon should live up to Lille’s reputation, with just 149 metres of elevation gain and a course built for fast times. Runners should nevertheless watch out for potentially troublesome winds on the rural section between Noyelles-lès-Seclin and Seclin.

To support the runners, 48 pacers, identifiable by the flame on their backs, will target 12 finish times ranging from 2:45 to 5:30. Whatever their level or goal, every runner will find a pacer to match. All participants will receive a Nike T-shirt and a finisher’s medal.