An image of runners crossing the bridge at Montroc, Marathon du Mont Blanc

An image of the Marathon du Mont Blanc route from Flegere to Planpraz, Chamonix

An image of runners at a marathon in chamonix mont blanc

Marathon du Mont Blanc route changes & updates

Latest news from the 2016 Marathon du Mont Blanc organisers

featured in News & reviews Author Alison Shayler, Chamonix Reporter Updated 31 May 2016

The weekend of the Marathon du Mont Blanc is almost upon us and runners now have only a matter of less than 4 weeks in which to prepare! Each year brings a few changes to some of the 6 races that make up the event, here are a few to look out for this year.

Marathon (42km) and Cross (23km): At about 10-11km into both races, the route drops down from Le Planet to Montroc; this year it will be via the Chemin du Planet rather than by the Route de Montroc, as in previous years.

Vertical KM: Runners will no longer start by crossing the Mollard roundabout and traversing along Allée du Recteur Payot, but by passing the Maison de la Montagne and cutting through the gardens via the footbridge. The start time has also been brought forward from 16:00 to 14:00, so don’t be late!

80km: This year’s start direction will be reversed. Runners will start as ever from in front of the town hall at Place du Triangle de l'Amitié, but this year they will head towards Rue Joseph Vallot and Rue du Mummery, heading up towards La Sapiniere to rejoin the Route des Moussoux as far as the Promenade du Bois Prin before picking up the steep trail to Bel Lachat. This is in order to spread the field out a little before the climb up to Bel Lachat and hopefully make the first part of the course more fluid and less prone to bottlenecks.

All of the above is subject to weather and route conditions, so keep an eye on our news page for further updates!