© Les Foulées Vichyssoises
The inaugural Vichy Marathon will take place on March 21, 2027: behind the scenes of a project driven by passionate runners
For the past 27 years, Les Foulées Vichyssoises has been a cornerstone of the running scene in the spa town of Vichy, in central France. In 2026, nearly 6,000 participants took part across the event’s various race formats, setting a new attendance record. As interest continues to grow, adding a marathon to the programme in 2027 became a natural next step. The sport’s iconic distance will be integrated into the existing event, with the ambition of creating a fast, accessible race that reflects the identity and heritage of the region.
For many runners, completing a marathon is a defining moment. For the organisers of Les Foulées Vichyssoises, staging one follows the same philosophy. Twenty-seven years after the event was created, the sport’s most iconic distance will join the programme in March 2027.
“We’ve had this idea in mind for several years. Given the success the event has been enjoying, it was a topic that regularly came up within the organising committee,” explains Patrick Chassot, president of the Racing Club de Vichy and head of the Foulées Vichyssoises organisation team. The project was initially proposed by the local athletics club and quickly gained the support of the city council.
“It’s an exciting challenge to bring a certified marathon back to Auvergne, especially as there is no longer a marathon of this kind in the region,” says the passionate organiser.
| A project driven by volunteers
This celebration of running is made possible above all by a dedicated team of passionate volunteers. Unlike many major road races managed by professional event organisations, Les Foulées Vichyssoises is built on a strong community-driven model. Each year, nearly 400 volunteers help bring the race weekend to life.
“The real driving force behind the project is the club itself. We have a dedicated organising committee made up of twelve club members, all volunteers and runners. We simply wanted to challenge ourselves by creating a marathon,” explains Patrick Chassot, who also highlights the vital support provided by the local authorities and long-standing partners.
Every member of the organising committee is a runner, giving the team a clear understanding of participants’ expectations and the elements that contribute to a successful race experience.
“Our philosophy is to give back to running everything it has given us. The values of self-improvement, camaraderie and shared experiences are deeply connected to the marathon distance. We want to bring people together around the unique emotions that a marathon can inspire.”
Patrick Chassot
| A human-scale marathon
While Les Foulées Vichyssoises continues to grow year after year, the organisers have no intention of pursuing unlimited expansion. Participant numbers will be deliberately capped in order to preserve the smooth operation of the event and the quality of the experience offered to runners. The organisation plans to welcome up to 6,000 participants on each day of the race weekend.
“The question is no longer whether the race entries will sell out. Today, our focus is much more on how to manage that level of demand.”
Last year, race bibs sold out within just a few weeks, several months before race day. For Patrick Chassot, delivering a memorable race weekend remains the top priority, making careful management of participant numbers a key consideration.
“We could probably accommodate more runners, but it would come at the expense of the participant experience. The start area would become more congested, parking capacity would be stretched, and the overall race experience would be less enjoyable. Our experience tells us that we cannot go beyond around 2,300 participants per race, as all runners start together in a single wave rather than in staggered starts.”
Patrick Chassot
Registration is expected to open in mid-September, with the first week reserved for members of the French Athletics Federation (FFA). These arrangements may be adjusted depending on the level of demand for race entries.
Keeping the event affordable is also a key objective for the organisers. The marathon entry fee is expected to be around €60 and will include an official race shirt, a finisher’s medal, recovery services and the welcoming atmosphere for which the event is known.
“We want to keep entry fees affordable without compromising the quality of the event.” Those accessible prices are made possible by the commitment of the volunteer team. Any profits generated by the event are reinvested into the local athletics club and help support community organisations involved in the race weekend.
| Community impact at the heart of the project
This strong human dimension is one of the defining features of the event. To give greater meaning to the project, the organisers actively support charitable causes. For several years, Les Foulées Vichyssoises has partnered with the association Onco and Co, which provides support to cancer patients, their families and healthcare professionals.
A portion of the event’s profits is donated to the organisation, while all entry fees from the children’s races are dedicated to the cause. Members of the association are present throughout the race weekend and play an active role in the event, including during race bib collection.
Looking ahead, the organisers are also exploring ways to involve high-profile athletes and ambassadors in raising awareness around cancer-related initiatives.
“These moments of connection and shared experience are incredibly important for them, even if we as runners are not always fully aware of it. They allow patients and their families to be part of the event and experience a sense of normality. Everyone is affected by these issues in one way or another. We all know someone who has been touched by cancer. If we are fortunate enough to be able to run, we should remember that this privilege is fragile. It is important to think about those who cannot run and who would love the opportunity to do so.”
Patrick Chassot
| A marathon built for performance, with redesigned courses
From its very first edition, the Vichy Marathon will carry clear sporting ambitions. The course has been designed with performance in mind, while also showcasing some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Organisers ultimately chose to integrate the marathon into the existing event, keeping its traditional slot on the final weekend of March.
“Staging a marathon on a different date would have been difficult. It would require mobilising our volunteers twice, whereas the event depends entirely on their commitment.” Maintaining the current date also offers several advantages, with weather conditions often close to ideal for distance running, avoiding both summer heat and thunderstorms.
The marathon will take place on Sunday alongside the half marathon, while the children’s races, 5K and 10K will be held the day before.
“Vichy hosts a large number of events throughout the year, and we wanted the marathon to be experienced as a special occasion in its own right, rather than being overshadowed by other activities,” explains Patrick Chassot.The half marathon course will undergo a significant redesign. The current two-loop city-centre layout will be replaced by a faster single-loop route connecting Vichy, Bellerive-sur-Allier and Cusset. With very few sharp turns and just 66 metres of elevation gain, the course is intended to be highly conducive to fast times.
The marathon will consist of two laps of this same loop, for a total elevation gain of approximately 132 metres.
“The Vichy Marathon will have a profile similar to the Barcelona Marathon. The courses have been designed to appeal both to runners chasing fast times and to those looking for a scenic race experience. They also have a distinctive character of their own, featuring several unique and standout sections.”
Patrick Chassot
The 5K and 10K courses will also be completely redesigned around the Centre Omnisport. Both races will start and finish along the banks of the Allier River, next to the Palais du Lac, on layouts specifically created to encourage fast performances.
| An ambition to become a benchmark event
The organisers are also committed to making the courses accessible to athletes with disabilities. From its inaugural edition in 2027, the marathon will carry official certification, with the long-term ambition of hosting the French Half Marathon and Marathon Championships. It is part of a broader strategy to establish Vichy as one of the leading events on the national running calendar.
Over the years, Les Foulées Vichyssoises has earned a strong reputation not only among participants, but also among national race officials and course measurers.
“The officiating reports we receive are excellent. The feedback on both our courses and our organisation is extremely encouraging, especially considering that these officials work on the biggest races in France,” says Patrick Chassot.
Attracting elite runners is another area of focus for the future. According to Patrick Chassot, strengthening the elite fields is now one of the event’s main priorities, with plans to actively recruit high-level athletes.
“Our goal is to build a strong elite field as quickly as possible and offer high-level competition on courses that are designed for fast performances. Our facilities and venues are perfectly suited to welcoming elite athletes. Those who discover Vichy for the first time are often genuinely impressed by what the area has to offer.”
| Vichy, a unique setting
Beyond the course itself, the future Vichy Marathon can draw on a truly distinctive setting. Located in the heart of the Allier department in central France, the city boasts an exceptional heritage shaped by its renowned spa history.
Vichy is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Great Spa Towns of Europe. Known for its remarkable architecture, the city stands out for its Belle Époque buildings, covered galleries, expansive parks and scenic promenades along the banks of the Allier River. Its green and relaxed atmosphere makes it a popular destination for both residents and visitors.
A recognised sporting hub, Vichy regularly hosts national team training camps and major competitions thanks to its extensive sports facilities.
“Les Foulées Vichyssoises offers a unique way to experience the city. Even local residents enjoy running through our iconic landmarks and heritage sites, seeing familiar places from a completely different perspective,” says Patrick Chassot.
With the addition of the marathon in 2027, the organisers hope to take the event to the next level while preserving the spirit that has defined its success for decades: a race created by passionate runners, for runners, whether they are chasing a personal best or looking to experience an exceptional setting.
➜ The official website of the Foulées Vichyssoises
Emma BERT
Journaliste