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Marathon Vert Rennes School of Business: one of the most competitive running events in France
The Marathon Vert Rennes School of Business, traditionally held in October, has been growing in popularity every year for the past fifteen years. The entry record was broken for the 2025 edition, with a total of 18,590 registered runners across the six races. In 2026, that figure is expected to reach 20,000. This confirms Rennes as one of the fastest race venues in France, with its own distinctive identity, inclusive spirit, and strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
Created in 2011, the Marathon Vert in Rennes celebrated its 14th edition this year. The program features six races that make up the wealth and success of this Breton event. A solo marathon, a duo marathon, a relay, a 10K, a women’s 5K, and a family walk give participants the chance to explore the city while pushing their limits. This running festival stands out for its lively atmosphere, its fast urban course, and its strong environmental commitment. Duncan Perrillat, 2022 French marathon champion, once described it as “one of the marathons with the best atmosphere in France.”
| A high-performance event with a strong environmental focus
If you are looking for a fast, highly competitive marathon in France, look no further. The Marathon Vert de Rennes is the country’s best in terms of performance density. With 4,130 finishers compared with 2,840 in 2024, 523 runners broke the 3-hour barrier (13 percent), 893 finished under 3:15 (22 percent), 1,488 under 3:30 (36 percent) and 2,785 under 4:00 (67 percent). In 2025, the event ranked tenth nationwide for total marathon finishers. It is “an event with a very strong Breton and environmental identity,” explains David Hervelin, general coordinator of the Rennes Marathon. Combining performance and sustainability is one of the organizing committee’s key goals, and they are proud to help showcase the city within the running community.
“We have planted more than one million trees with the Yves Rocher Foundation since the marathon was created fifteen years ago. We are always looking for new ideas to keep moving in that direction,” says the organizer. The event, which continues to attract more and more participants, was a pioneer in this field. Even though almost every race now incorporates an environmental dimension, it was still very unusual back in 2011. “Many people did not understand it at first, whereas today it has become part of everyday life,” he adds. It is a source of pride for this enthusiast, who intends to strengthen that commitment in the coming years.
| Race courses designed for record-breaking performances
Since the 11th edition, the courses have been redesigned and now run entirely through the streets of Rennes. This choice has quickly won runners over. “We now have three times as many registered participants as in 2021, which is considerable. The challenge is finding solutions to welcome even more runners,” explains David Hervelin.
The Marathon Vert de Rennes will celebrate its 15th edition in 2026. “We hope to reach 20,000 participants for the 15th anniversary, even though we could accommodate more. We prefer to move forward step by step and let the event grow gradually.” The anniversary edition will include a few new features that are still being kept under wraps, designed to “make a big impact.” For the first time in its history, the event will host the Brittany Championships over 10 km, in addition to the marathon, which has held that status for several years.
The course records over the classic marathon distance are held by Duncan Perrillat in 2:11:38 and by Sélina Leroy in 2:37:51. The race is also the support event for the Brittany Championships over 42.195 km and this year crowned the local runners Hamza El Ouardi (2:19:42) and Fanny Malagré (2:43:48). For those who do not yet wish to take on the full 42.195 km, the organizers also offer a duo marathon and a relay marathon for teams of four runners. It is the ideal opportunity to discover the event and share an unforgettable experience with family or friends.
| A marathon that is both accessible and fast
Many runners flock to the biggest marathons in the world. “We are capable of offering great, fast marathons in France,” the general coordinator reminds us. “Anyone who is ready can run a strong race in Rennes thanks to pacers and depth of field, and it is also more accessible than others in terms of cost and logistics,” he adds. The Breton capital is easy to reach by train or carpooling, which helps reduce both carbon footprint and expenses. The organizing team and its 1,150 volunteers offer much more than just a race: they create a full runner experience.
“We take great care of participants of all levels, so that they keep very good memories of the weekend and leave with a personal best. We don’t yet have the long history of a marathon like La Rochelle, and we’re not claiming to be Valencia either, but we want to prove that there are interesting and easy-to-access marathons in our country.”
David Hervelin
| The Lamotte 10K, the perfect way to light up a Saturday night
The most popular event remains the Lamotte 10K, which attracted 4,743 finishers in October 2025. It is the fourth-fastest race in France, with 21 athletes under 30 minutes, 226 under 33 minutes, 459 under 35 minutes, 1,163 under 40 minutes and 3,697 under 1 hour. “It is one of the densest 10K races in France for both men and women, and we plan to develop it further and further,” added the general coordinator. For the past four years, this race has consistently been a huge success. With its unique night-time atmosphere, large crowds and urban course, the organizers offer ideal conditions for pushing your limits.
Proof of its prestige, the men’s and women’s course records are outstanding. The best performances are held by former European record holder over the distance, Étienne Daguinos in 27:41, and by local runner Marie Lohéac-Bouchard in 32:49. Yet closing a city on a Saturday late afternoon so an event can take place is never easy. “We had the idea of offering a night race through the streets, which is not very common. This 10K is like a road ‘corrida’, with a huge number of spectators, an electric atmosphere and entertainment along a competitive course.”
The enthusiasm is such that meeting demand is sometimes difficult. “We are delighted with athletes’ feedback about the incredible noise level in the streets. Even more so when international athletes like Étienne Daguinos or Valentin Gondouin say that the cheering is so loud they can’t hear themselves breathing.”
| The Women’s Race, a 5K dedicated to women
The organizers of the Marathon Vert Rennes are strongly committed to highlighting women runners, with a 5K race exclusively for women. The aim is to encourage and promote women’s sport while giving them the space to fully express themselves. The race is still highly competitive. A total of 2,129 runners crossed the finish line in 2025, ranging from the U16 age group to Masters 9. Breton athlete Amélie Adam holds the fastest time in the event’s history, clocking 16:54.
For David Hervelin, this race is an opportunity to offer an event where a woman breaks the tape in first place overall. It is a competition with a bright future ahead, driven by growing demand. The number of participants continues to rise, even if “the streets of Rennes are not the streets of Paris.”
| A solidarity-driven, eco-responsible dimension
Beyond performance, the Marathon Vert Rennes also emphasizes social and environmental commitment. The event supports a range of charitable and ecological initiatives, encouraging participants to run with meaning. Tree-planting programs, awareness around sustainable practices, and partnerships with local organizations all contribute to reducing the event’s environmental impact while promoting responsible running.
This approach reflects the identity of the Marathon Vert: inclusive, supportive, and future-focused, bringing together thousands of runners who want not only to chase a time but also to contribute to a positive cause.
The Marathon Vert Rennes School of Business is establishing itself among the fastest races in France. It is, in fact, the most performance-dense marathon in the country over 42.195 km. With its long-standing ecological commitment and strong identity, the event stands out in the running world. Combining fast urban courses, a friendly Breton atmosphere, and a carefully designed runner experience, Rennes offers an ideal setting to push your limits while still enjoying yourself.
➜ All the information about the Marathon Vert Rennes School of Business
Emma BERT
Journaliste
