French Riviera Marathon Nice-Cannes 2026: Complete Race Guide

The French Riviera Marathon Nice-Cannes is one of those races that ends up on nearly every serious runner’s bucket list: 42.195 km of Mediterranean coastline, a start on the Promenade des Anglais, and a finish on the red carpet of Cannes’ Boulevard de la Croisette. The 18th edition takes place on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your race.

Race at a glance

• Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
• Start: 8:00 a.m., Promenade des Anglais, Nice (elite at 8:00, mass start from 8:03; wheelchair/handisport just before)
• Finish: Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
• Distance: 42.195 km (point-to-point)
• Elevation gain: ~170 m, mostly gentle rolling sections
• Cut-off: 6 hours from the gun
• Field: Over 10,000 solo marathon finishers in 2025 — France’s second-largest marathon after Paris
• Organiser: Azur Sport Organisation (marathon06.com)

The course: fast, flat, and 95% by the sea

What makes Nice-Cannes special is also what makes it fast. Roughly 95% of the route runs directly alongside the Mediterranean, on 100% paved road, with only modest undulations. Total elevation gain sits around 170 m spread across the whole distance, which puts it firmly in “PB-friendly” territory for most runners.

The point-to-point route leaves Nice’s Promenade des Anglais and hugs the coastline through a string of Riviera towns: Saint-Laurent-du-Var (~km 9), Cagnes-sur-Mer, Villeneuve-Loubet, Antibes and Juan-les-Pins, then Vallauris Golfe-Juan, before the finish on the Croisette in Cannes.

A word of caution on pacing: the first half along the bay is flat and forgiving, which tempts a lot of runners into going out too hard. The gentle rises come later, and the exposed seafront means wind and midday sun can bite in the closing kilometres. Bank a conservative first half and you’ll have plenty left for the run into Cannes.

Is it a good race for a PB or Boston qualifier?

Yes — and it’s a popular choice for exactly that. The course is AIMS-measured, carries the FFA International label, and is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. There’s no qualifying time to enter; registration is simply first-come, first-served. Runners aged 40+ can also collect points toward the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group ranking.

Registration and pricing

Entry is online only through the official portal (marathon06.com) — this is not a lottery, so places go on a first-come basis. Pricing is tiered and climbs as the field fills, so entering early is both cheaper and safer. Early entries start around €65 (with a discount for FFA-licensed runners) and rise toward €95 as slots sell out. The field is capped (around 15,000 for the marathon), and the race typically sells out roughly six months ahead — think spring 2026 — so don’t leave it late.

You’ll need a valid medical certificate or athletics licence to complete your entry, and ID plus your bib voucher to collect your number at the Running Expo in Nice on the days before the race. Bibs are not mailed or handed out on race morning.

Other formats

If the full marathon isn’t your goal this year, the event weekend also includes a Duo (2 × 21.1 km relay between Nice and Cannes), a marathon relay for teams of 3–6, and a 20 km Nice–Villeneuve-Loubet race that starts alongside the marathon field.

The best perk: your bib is your train ticket

Point-to-point races usually come with a logistics headache, but Nice-Cannes solves it neatly: your bib doubles as an unlimited TER train ticket between Nice and Cannes for the whole of race day, in both directions. That makes getting to the start and back from the finish genuinely stress-free — worth factoring into where you stay.

Logistics and where to stay

Because the free train link runs all day between the two cities, you can base yourself in either Nice or Cannes. Nice has the larger choice of accommodation and puts you at the start line; Cannes is quieter and lands you at the finish. Whichever you pick, book early — hotels for race weekend fill up fast.

What to wear

Early November on the Riviera means cool mornings and mild afternoons. The 8 a.m. start can feel chilly, but the exposed seafront warms up quickly under sun. Light, breathable racing kit works best, with a cap or visor and sunglasses for the open coastline. Arm sleeves you can shed a few kilometres in are a smart call for the cool start.

Why runners come back

Ask finishers and the same themes come up: the constant sea views, the festive atmosphere with music along the route, and that final stretch onto the Croisette. It’s a race built as much for the experience as the clock — and with a genuinely quick course underneath it, you can chase a time without giving up the scenery.

Race details are based on the official 2026 information available at the time of writing. Always confirm dates, prices and rules on the official race website before entering.