The Chamonix Marathon, known locally as the Marathon du Mont Blanc, is much more than 26.2 miles… For a start, as we’re in France, all the distances are in kilometres rather than in miles, so the marathon is in fact a 42km distance race. But putting metric versus imperial aside, there are now 8 races taking place over a 3-day weekend. This ensures that the Chamonix Marathon is a date not-to-be-missed in the diary of keen trail runners everywhere.
History of the Chamonix Marathon
It all started in 1979 with the Cross du Mont Blanc, the half-marathon distance race of 23km.
Twenty-four years later, in 2003, the eponymous marathon distance was introduced, swiftly followed by the 10km in 2004. Another burst of developments brought in the infamous vertical kilometre race (KM Vertical) in 2011 and the 80km event in 2013.
Proving that the organisers are always looking for ways to widen the appeal of the race, 2017 saw the first Young Race Marathon and the magical Duo étoilé race which takes place under the starry skies of Chamonix.
After five years of hosting the 80km race, recent GPS and map assessments have concluded that the route is actually 91km long! 2018 will therefore seen the renaming of the route as the Mont Blanc 90km.
Mont Blanc Marathon stats
Check out our quick overview of the stats for each race which makes up the Chamonix Marathon weekend.
Mont Blanc 90km
Approx. 90km with around 6,200m D+/–. This is the longest and most demanding race of the weekend, with a limited and highly sought-after start list.
Chamonix Marathon / Mont Blanc 42km
42km with approx. 2,700m D+ and 1,700m D–. One of the flagship races of the event, attracting a large international field.
Mont Blanc Cross – 23km
23km with around 1,680m D+ and 870m D–. A fast, technical mountain race and one of the most popular distances.
Mont Blanc 10km
10km with approx. 325m D+/–. A shorter but still challenging course, ideal for those new to trail running in the mountains.
Duo Étoilé
Team race run in pairs. Around 17–22km depending on the course year, with approximately 1,300–1,450m D+/–.
Kilomètre Vertical
3.8km with 1,000m D+. A pure uphill race and a spectator favourite.
Young Race Marathon
Youth races with distances varying by age category, typically up to around 15km and 1,000m D+.
Mini Cross
Children’s races ranging from approximately 800m to 3km, open to young runners aged around 7 to 15.
Other key facts about the Marathon du Mont Blanc
The Marathon du Mont Blanc weekend welcomes over 10,000 runners across all races. Around 300 elite athletes take part each year, and the event regularly attracts runners from 80+ nations, with roughly 30% travelling from outside France.
Demand remains extremely high, with tens of thousands of registrations submitted for the annual ballot to secure a limited number of race places.
Race profiles
The Mont Blanc 90km traverses across between France and Switzerland, while the other races over the weekend are all run around the Chamonix valley.
As the Chamonix Marathon is the first major trail running event of the summer, there’s always the risk that some of the higher sections of the races will encounter snow patches which have not yet melted after the winter (particularly this year with the regular snowfall we’ve experienced throughout the ski season). This is of biggest concern on the route of the Mont Blanc 90km, so there are fallback routes in place to cut out some of the highest altitude sections.
Similarly, the Mont Blanc Marathon and Mont Blanc Cross races usually have their photogenic finish line at Planpraz, approx. 2000m above sea level. However in bad weather conditions, the course can be redirected from Flégère, to come directly back down to a finish line in Chamonix rather than continuing up.
The Vertical KM is an infamous course. While short in distance on the ground (only 3.8km), there are 1000m to climb. Runners set off from the centre of Chamonix, passing underneath the Planpraz cable car, and completing the top section by overcoming the very steep and exposed path, equipped with cables and ladders.
Nurturing young passions for trail running is also at the heart of the Chamonix Marathon philosophy. The Mini Cross takes places in the Bois du Bouchet, while the Young Race Marathon takes in the final 15km of the marathon route to provide a true introduction to the world of competitive trail running.
About Chamonix Marathon
The Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve is traversed by the routes of the Mont Blanc 90km race, the Mont Blanc Marathon and by the course of the Cross event. This reserve is a protected zone, home to many native mountain flore and fauna, including chamois mountain goats, ibex, marmottes and eagles. Athletes are provided with information to raise their awareness of the fragility of the area, as well as to ensure they appreciate the beauty of the setting.
The Chamonix Marathon organisers also take their responsibility to their athletes very seriously. In recent years, they have provided a wealth of care services including over 60 physical therapists, podiatrists, reflexologists, and massage therapists over the weekend.
As well as taking care of the athletes’ physiques, their security in the mountain is also paramount for the race. The safety record is exemplary and the security plan is in line with the strict regulations of the FFA (Fédération Française d’Athlétisme).
The Club des Sports de Chamonix (the sports association behind the Chamonix Marathon) works closely with many partners to ensure the safety of athletes: La Chamoniarde, the local mountain rescue organisation; the CNEAS, the national training centre for mountaineering and company for national safety in skiing; the Red Cross; the EMHM, military high-mountain school; the GMSP, mountain group of firefighters; as well as the team which manages the trails within the valley.
The Club also entrusts the coordination of medical rescue services on the course to a professional body – Dokever.
Last but not least, no race in Chamonix valley would be complete without a troupe of volunteers. The Chamonix Marathon relies on over 500 volunteers to help signal the course and provide refreshments to athletes, ensuring the success of the race year after year.
Chamonix All Year loves the Chamonix Marathon
We love the buzz of the marathon weekend in Chamonix and, for us, it really kicks off the summer season. If you’re lining up on the start line for one of the races, you may even be alongside one of our sporty team members!
Our sales team will also be delighted to help you find the perfect accommodation for your marathon stay in Chamonix. Need a hot tub to soak away your aches after the race? We’ll hand-pick the property that suits your needs, and those of your supporters, family and friends too. Search for your accommodation dates on our site or contact us to organise your stay now.
