© Corentin Baudry / Marathon de Bordeaux AG2R La Mondiale
Bordeaux Marathon AG2R La Mondiale: registrations open on May 26 and the wait is finally over
The Bordeaux Marathon AG2R La Mondiale will make its long-awaited return on November 8 along the banks of the Garonne River, with three race formats on the program: a 10K, a half marathon, and the highly anticipated 26.2-mile marathon, absent from the city’s calendar since 2019. Registration opens on May 26, and bibs are unlikely to stay available for long. So if Bordeaux and its famous golden-stone streets are part of your fall plans, now’s the time to pull out the credit card.
Seven years. Seven years since a marathon starting line had been painted onto the streets of Bordeaux. Seven years since the 42.195-kilometer distance disappeared from the calendar of the “Sleeping Beauty” — the nickname often given to the southwestern French city. The last edition took place in October 2019 after being moved to the fall because of the Yellow Vest protests. Since then, silence on the marathon front. The half marathon and 10K, however, kept growing successfully. The 2025 edition attracted nearly 24,000 runners in an electric atmosphere, featuring elite names such as French distance runner Hugo Hay, who clocked 27:43 to break the 10K course record, and Jason Pointeau, winner of the half marathon in 1:03:21.
In other words, the momentum never disappeared. The only missing piece was the marathon itself. Now it’s back, and registrations officially opened on May 26. Bibs for the Bordeaux Marathon AG2R La Mondiale are expected to sell out quickly. Caroline Pujol, president of Stade Bordelais Athlétisme, couldn’t hide her excitement: “The Bordeaux Marathon AG2R La Mondiale in 2026 is a major sporting event that has been awaited since 2019. It marks a new chapter in the city’s sporting influence and momentum.”
| AG2R La Mondiale joins the project
The 2026 edition is not simply a restart — it comes with new ambitions and a major new title partner. French social protection and insurance group AG2R La Mondiale now becomes the event’s title sponsor, giving the race its new official name. For the company, the partnership fits into a broader running strategy. Their portfolio already includes events such as the 10K de Montmartre, the HOKA Semi de Paris, the Marathon du Beaujolais, and the Marseille-Cassis race. Bordeaux now joins an already impressive lineup. “We strongly believe that running plays a key role in health prevention and social connection,” explained Fabrice Heyriès, CEO of AG2R La Mondiale. The partnership also makes geographical sense. AG2R has maintained ties with the nearby Saint-Émilion wine region for more than 30 years.
The event itself will now be organized by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) in partnership with Stade Bordelais Athlétisme. For anyone unfamiliar with ASO, it’s the company behind the Tour de France, the Paris Marathon, and Paris-Roubaix — about as experienced as it gets in mass-participation sports events.
| A course built for fast times
The new routes promise fresh sections through downtown Bordeaux, access to neighborhoods never previously explored by the race, and a spectacular finish at Place de la Bourse. For runners chasing personal bests, the setup sounds extremely promising. The redesigned 2025 half marathon already highlighted Bordeaux’s historic center, taking runners along the Garonne riverbanks, Place de la Bourse, Pont de Pierre, Allées de Tourny, and the Chartrons district. The 2026 marathon is expected to showcase an even broader portion of the city.
The profile? Flat. Very flat. For a fall marathon set in a UNESCO World Heritage city, it’s an attractive combination. No cruel climb waiting at mile 22. No punishing bridge when the legs are already gone. Just Bordeaux, its elegant architecture, and its redeveloped riverfront as a giant running playground.
| Three formats, no excuses
No marathon without supporting races. The event will offer three formats: 10K, half marathon, and marathon. Whether it’s a first attempt at the classic distance or another shot at breaking three hours, there’s an option for everyone. The organizers are also emphasizing accessibility, with new offers for companies and a clear commitment to welcoming runners with disabilities under the best possible conditions.
The 2026 edition will take place entirely during daylight hours on a course crossing the heart of the Bordeaux metropolitan area and capable of hosting up to 4,000 marathon runners. An ambitious target, according to the organizers themselves, especially considering that marathon participation numbers are generally smaller than shorter-distance events. The calendar will also be competitive, with the Nice-Cannes Marathon scheduled for the same day and the Toulouse Marathon taking place the week before.
| How to register
Registrations officially opened on May 26 and are available exclusively online via the official TIMETO platform. Once registered, runners can complete their file by uploading either their PPS medical clearance or their French Athletics Federation license directly through their runner account. One important detail: no bib will be distributed if the registration file remains incomplete on race weekend. The pre-race village will be located at Hangar 14, along the Bordeaux waterfront — one of the city’s most iconic venues and an ideal spot to build atmosphere before race day.
| Fall now has a new major race
French running already has its landmark events. Paris in spring. Lyon and Marseille-Cassis in the fall. Bordeaux had already secured a strong place on the national running map thanks to its half marathon and 10K. By bringing back the marathon, the city is clearly aiming for another level among France’s major races. “With the Bordeaux Marathon AG2R La Mondiale, we want to offer an accessible, festive, and inspiring experience, similar to the great races we organize across France,” explained Thomas Delpeuch, director of public events at ASO. “Bordeaux is the perfect place to write a new chapter in mass-participation running.”
A marathon had already been held in Bordeaux twelve times between 1976 and 2002, before a modern revival between 2015 and 2019. The 2026 chapter therefore arrives with history in the background — and with an organization fully equipped to match its ambitions. See you on November 8. The Garonne riverbanks are waiting.
✔ More information and registration open May 26 on the official website
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
