Marathon Côte de Lumière, Vendée's new marathon, debuts in October 2027 with no lottery

It's no secret: running has exploded in France in recent years, and landing a bib can be an uphill battle. The latest example is the Paris Marathon, which received 166,000 applications in the lottery for its 2027 edition. With only around 80 marathons held on French soil each year, plenty of runners end up looking abroad. In that context, every new start line is one more chance for French runners to race “local”. And the new Marathon Côte de Lumière ticks every box: a human-scale race with 3,000 spots per distance, an affordable entry fee, and scenery that can hold its own against any international destination. Welcome to Vendée, where the love of running meets the Côte de Lumière.

A marathon built by locals

The people behind the Marathon Côte de Lumière are, above all, from the area. At the helm is Cyril Vallais, who already created the Urban Trail des Sardines, which has had runners racing through the streets of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie for several years. He is backed by the club Pays de Saint-Gilles Vendée Athlétisme and by the two towns the course crosses: Saint-Gilles supports the project financially, and both provide logistical help. Listed on the official FFA calendar, the event aims to be first and foremost a human one, a friendly, popular gathering that extends to its aid stations, where local products are on the menu. For its founder, putting on this marathon is a “declaration of love” to Vendée. For a first edition, all the ingredients seem to be there for a lasting romance between the marathon and this beautiful region.

© Marathon Côte de Lumière

A course that pays tribute to its region

The marathon starts from the Baie du Bout du Monde, facing the entrance to the fishing port of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. On the start line, with ocean waves as a backdrop and sea spray in the air, the atmosphere will be pure Vendée. From the quays, runners then head into the shade of the maritime pines of the Sion forest, before reaching the wild coast and the Corniche, from the Trou du Diable to the Cinq Pineaux rocks.

The race then winds through the marshes and finishes in the shadow of the Joséphine tower, a gem of local heritage. It's a single loop with just 130 m of elevation gain (60 m for the half). That makes for a fast profile where a PB is well within reach, as long as the Atlantic wind plays along on the day. The official route will be unveiled in early 2027, and Marathons will break it down kilometer by kilometer.

The right slot for an autumn marathon

Set for the second Sunday of October, the Marathon Côte de Lumière sits right in the heart of autumn, one of the busiest months on the French running calendar. If you ran a spring marathon, that leaves enough time to recover and fit in another marathon block over the summer. A 16-week build, for example, would start around June 20.

Yes, you'll have to train in the heat and juggle vacations, but the mild Vendée early autumn should reward you on race day. As for accessibility and field density, the race welcomes all levels. Pacers will lead runners from 3:00 to 4:30, and the cut-off is 6 hours.

Why the Marathon Côte de Lumière already looks like a hit

The Marathon Côte de Lumière has the charm of a human-scale race that pairs an affordable entry fee with a stunning course and a festive atmosphere. On one side, performance, with a fast course and what looks like a well-run organization. On the other, a friendly, family feel driven by the energy of 300 local volunteers. That's broad appeal, and it's no accident that three quarters of the bibs are already gone.

For runners chasing a time, two unknowns remain: the wind and the density of the pack, neither of which a first edition can tell us much about yet. But if you want a one-of-a-kind running experience, a mix of travel and sporting challenge, or a fresh look at your own backyard, this is one to circle on the calendar right now.

© Marathon Côte de Lumière

Find all the race information on Finishers.