Marathon de Chablis set to welcome 4,400 runners among the vines

With just a few days to go before race day, organisers in the Yonne already have plenty to celebrate: 4,400 participants are expected on Saturday for the seventh edition of the Marathon de Chablis. Among them, 500 are coming from abroad, with runners from 85 French departments represented. Local participation is strong too, with nearly 1,000 runners from the Yonne set to line up. Women account for 45% of the field, putting the race well above average on that front. Demand has been so high that the half marathon, 14 km race and both hikes are sold out. Only the marathon is still accepting entries, until noon on Thursday, October 22.

Bourgeois, Maire and Le Coquet return

Several familiar names will be on the start line. In the men’s race, Alexandre Bourgeois returns to defend his marathon title after winning in 2025 in 2:29:23. His brother Matthieu, runner-up last year in 2:34:50, has opted for the half marathon. The brothers could therefore be chasing a family double across the two distances. Olivier Hemard, third in 2025, will also take on the full 42.195 km.

In the women’s race, last year’s marathon winner Anne Maire is targeting another victory. Lélia Le Coquet, a regular among the front-runners at Chablis, will line up for the half marathon, a distance she knows well after winning both formats in previous editions.

A marathon that is about more than the clock

Chablis has earned its reputation for everything that happens between the kilometre markers, too. Fancy dress, villages in celebration and aid stations showcasing Burgundy’s local produce: runners can expect tastings of Chablis wine, Soumaintrain cheese and andouillettes. Around a hundred musicians will bring the courses to life and create a race-day atmosphere unlike any other.

Four spots are worth noting for both spectators and runners. In Maligny, the marathon and half-marathon routes come together in the heart of the village. At La Fourchaume, runners pass through the Premier Cru vineyards. In Fontenay-près-Chablis, a DJ will raise the energy just before the course’s main climb. Finally, the Grands Crus aid station, a few kilometres from the finish, overlooks the prestigious vineyard plots and promises one of the day’s liveliest moments. The panorama should make it easier to forget the heavy legs.

© Emilien Hugon

© Emilien Hugon

© Emilien Hugon

Children get their turn too

From 3:30 p.m., the Pâtis area will host free children’s races open to participants aged 5 to 15. Three distances are available depending on age: 500 m, 1,000 m and 1,500 m. Registration is only available on site from 11 a.m., with places limited to 300.

490 volunteers and a whole region behind the event

Behind the event, 490 volunteers, the towns along the route and local associations are working together to keep the day running smoothly. « We are proud to bring so many people from far away to discover or rediscover this exceptional region », says Éric Le Pallemec of organiser Idée Alpe. His words sum up the race’s ambition: a mass-participation event where sport, community spirit and celebration come together. The race also takes place alongside the Fête des Vins de Chablis, giving runners and their supporters the chance to extend the weekend in the vineyards.