© Beer Marathon
Beer Marathon 2026: 8,500 runners won over by Montbrison’s fourth edition
Three days of pure madness in France’s Forez region. Knights, dragons, craft beer, and very real race times: the Beer Marathon delivered again over the Pentecost weekend in Montbrison, in central France’s Loire department. With 8,500 runners across all distances and nearly 50,000 visitors overall, the fourth edition confirmed what many in the French running scene are starting to whisper: something genuinely unique is happening here.
It’s hard to sum up what the Beer Marathon has become in just four editions. A race? Of course. A festive event? Absolutely. But above all, it has evolved into its own kind of running experience — one that refuses to fit into traditional categories and fully embraces its identity. In only a few years, the event has become a major fixture in the Forez region, blending athletic performance, festival atmosphere, and local culture. This week, Montbrison spent the entire weekend vibrating to the rhythm of its fourth edition.
Guillaume Gauffroy, co-organizer of the event, puts it bluntly: “The goal of the Beer Marathon is to spend an amazing three-day weekend with friends, family, or coworkers.” Three days. Not just a race morning or a quick event. A full destination weekend, with running as the common thread and the warm spirit of the Forez region as the backdrop.
| Knights, dragons, and 8,500 runners
This year’s theme — “Dragons and Knights invade Forez” — could hardly have fit the event’s DNA better. Along the roads linking the marathon’s nine host towns — Montbrison, Champdieu, Chalain-d’Uzore, Saint-Paul-d’Uzore, Sainte-Agathe-la-Bouteresse, Saint-Étienne-le-Molard, Montverdun, Mornand-en-Forez and Savigneux — the atmosphere looked straight out of a fantasy festival. Medieval bands, costumed villages, runners dressed in armor, and giant fantasy creatures turned the 26.2 miles into a moving spectacle.
The famous Golden Mug Challenge, rewarding the most festive town based on runners’ votes, once again pushed local communities into full celebration mode. Every aid station felt less like a standard water stop and more like a carnival on the road. The 17 breweries present along the marathon course, plus 10 on the half marathon and 5 on the 10K, completed the experience with craft beer, local brioche pastries, ice cream, and regional specialties. The organizers summed up the philosophy perfectly: “It’s like a traditional marathon, except that alongside the usual aid stations, you also find everything that defines the Forez region: beer, local cheese, brioche…”
Thierry, who traveled from the Ain department to discover the race, captured what many first-timers feel: “I wanted to try it and compare it to other fun marathons. Honestly, here, I pick the party aid stations every time.” Hard to disagree.
| Toni Caporale again, Julie Iturralde on top
Not everyone came to Montbrison just to sip beer between kilometers. On the marathon, race times remained serious despite the warm conditions on Pentecost Sunday. French runner Toni Caporale (Marne et Gondoire Athlétisme) did what he seems to do best on this course: win. Runner-up in 2024, winner in 2025 with a course record of 2:30:40, he returned in 2026 to claim victory again in 2:37:30. Far from his personal best, but more than enough in demanding weather conditions. Nicolas Raybaud finished second in 2:38:57, while Adrien Brayet completed the podium in 2:39:26.
On the women’s side, Julie Iturralde (Dijon UC) delivered a standout performance, breaking the course record in 3:11:53 and erasing Marion Rousseau’s 2024 mark of 3:13:08. Albane Guillard finished second in 3:13:59 ahead of Stéphanie Snuggs in 3:18:39. The half marathon also produced fast times. Lorys Gallet (Athletic Club Meyzieu) recorded the performance of the day after a close duel with Tanguy Hertzog, second in 1:13:44, and Dylan Batailler, third in 1:15:23. His winning time of 1:13:22 significantly improved the event record.
In the women’s race, Marion Colin claimed victory in a strong 1:29:25 ahead of Céline Nicolas (1:33:33) and Lise Talichet (1:33:45). Over the 10K, Samir Tatah dominated in 33:32 ahead of Cédric Bonnefoy (35:27) and Matthieu Fraisse (35:58). Célia Hammour won the women’s race in 43:13, followed by Manon Durand (45:35) and Chloé Grange (46:16).
| Heat, the unexpected rival
While the party atmosphere was very much alive, the sun also became an unexpected competitor. Several runners spoke at the finish about particularly difficult conditions, far from the ideal spring weather many had hoped for. A group from Orléans summed it up with typical calmness: “It’s hot, but the atmosphere keeps you going. That helps you get to the finish.” That’s what an event like this can do: compensate for unpredictable weather through sheer energy. Dominique, a runner from the local club La Foulée Forézienne de Feurs, put it simply: “The goal is still to give your best. But the atmosphere here remains exceptional.”
| A region fully invested
Beyond the race performances, the true strength of the Beer Marathon lies in local involvement. The towns along the route do not merely host the event — they actively build it. On Sunday morning, 1,500 marathon runners took off through the streets of Montbrison, the highlight of a weekend that has become a major celebration in the Loire region. Surrounding them were 600 volunteers handling course setup, safety, encouragement, and logistics across 72 kilometers of combined routes.
The Made in Loire Expo, open throughout the three-day event with 42 exhibitors showcasing regional craftsmanship, attracted visitors far beyond the running community. Brewers, artisans, and local producers gave spectators the chance to discover Forez specialties including Fourme de Montbrison cheese, craft beers, and local heritage sites like the Bâtie d’Urfé. According to organizers, 50,000 visitors attended throughout the weekend.
| A model others are starting to envy
With 8,500 runners across three days, the Beer Marathon has firmly established itself as one of the standout running events in central France. Participants came from 97 French departments and 15 different countries. Every major distance carries official French Athletics Federation certification, while the event also holds a CNOSF Silver Sustainability Label thanks to initiatives like eliminating disposable cups. On paper and in reality, the event ticks boxes that very few French races can combine at the same time.
In a running landscape that can sometimes feel overly polished, Montbrison proves that serious competitors and runners simply looking for a memorable experience can coexist perfectly. On the roads of the Forez region, sub-3-hour marathoners and groups dressed as medieval knights share the same course — and nobody minds. Quite the opposite. See you in 2027 for the fifth edition. The armor and beer mugs are already waiting.
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Drink responsibly.
✔ Full results of the 2026 Beer Marathon
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
