Beer Marathon, Montbrison (Loire)

Montbrison, France

Saturday, May 1, 2027

Choose your distance

Marathon

Distance

42.2km

Start Time

09:00

Cutoff

6h30

Terrain

Road

Difficulty

Beginner

Overview

The Marathon de la Bière turns Montbrison, a small town in the Loire, into a full weekend of festivities. Runners choose between a 10 km on road, a semi-marathon or 20 km and a full marathon, with all three adult distances carrying the FFA label, while children race over 0.5, 1 and 2 km. The whole event sits inside the Salon du Made in Loire, a trade fair where local brewers and artisans show their work, so race day mixes running with tasting, a hike and a banquet. Fancy dress is part of the spirit and the organisers invite everyone to come in costume.

Fancy dress encouraged
Races set inside the Salon du Made in Loire
FFA-labelled courses
Local brewers and artisans on site

The practical side

Route

More than a Marathon, you set off on an Adventure in the heart of Forez and its riches: villages of character, exceptional places such as the famous Bâtie d'Urfé… with tastings of craft beers brewed with care by our best regional brewers throughout the course.

Getting There

Located in the heart of Forez, the start village is based in Montbrison, Espace des Jacquins. Montbrison's central position lets you reach us by motorway (A72, exit 'gare de péage de Montbrison'), by train via TER access and by bus via the regional TIL bus network. 30 min from Saint-Etienne, 1h15 from Lyon, 1h30 from Clermont-Ferrand, 1h30 from Le Puy en Velay, 3h30 from Paris (TGV to Saint-Etienne). The event strongly encourages carpooling and soft mobility (train, bus, bike, walking).

Expo

The race weekend runs inside the Salon du Made in Loire, with local brewers and artisans on site.

Race Day

Sunday 24 May 2026 races: 10 km, semi-marathon or 20 km, marathon and children's races.

Recovery

A banquet and a hike round off the weekend programme.

Good to know

What to bring

Your own reusable cup (no single-use cups are distributed at any aid station)

Recommended

What you get

Access to the Salon du Made in Loire

A hike is offered during the weekend

Finisher certificateEntry to labelled road races in France usually requires a valid athletics licence or a recent medical certificate. Check the exact requirement with the organiser before entering.

Food after the finishA banquet is part of the weekend programme

ResultsResults are posted after the event on the organiser's website and on Jogging-Plus.

On the day

Food vendors

Merchandise

ParkingParking is in Montbrison town centre, close to the Salon du Made in Loire site. The organiser publishes the detailed arrangements on the official website.

Public transportLocated in the heart of Forez, the start village is based in Montbrison, Espace des Jacquins. Montbrison's central position lets you reach us by motorway (A72, exit 'gare de péage de Montbrison'), by train via TER access and by bus via the regional TIL bus network. 30 min from Saint-Etienne, 1h15 from Lyon, 1h30 from Clermont-Ferrand, 1h30 from Le Puy en Velay, 3h30 from Paris (TGV to Saint-Etienne). The event strongly encourages carpooling and soft mobility (train, bus, bike, walking).

Aid stationsMarathon: 17 aid stations · Semi Marathon: 10 aid stations · 10 km: 5 aid stations

Before you enter

Minimum ageYes. Children's races over 0.5 km, 1 km and 2 km are held alongside the adult events.

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Beer Marathon, Montbrison (Loire)

Overview

The practical side

Good to know

Are the races officially labelled?

Can I run in fancy dress?

What is the Salon du Made in Loire?

Does the weekend include anything besides the races?

Who can take part?

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