Congratulations to everybody !

Calais XXL Marathon

Nearly 4,000 participants took part in this first Calais XXL Marathon! Congratulations to all for this incredible achievement. 

The first Calais marathon

The first edition of the Calais XXL Marathon took place this Sunday, June 28th! An exceptional event with runners and a great atmosphere. For this inaugural edition, nearly 4000 of you took on one of the three distances offered by the Calais XXL Marathon! With breathtaking views of the sea and the natural landscapes of Calais and its surrounding towns, it was a truly spectacular event, in addition to being a truly impressive sporting achievement!

The finish line arch of the Calais XXL Marathon ©Nohcab
Starting line of the Calais XXL Marathon during the warm-up ©Nohcab

Images of the departure

Photo albums

Check out the photos from our teams showcasing the course and incredible views! We've also included links to albums from volunteer photographers posted along the route. Did you photograph the events? Get in touch with us to list them here!

The general album by Calais XXL
Horizon view descending from Cap Blanc-Nez during the Calais XXL Marathon 2026 ©Timothé Lovergne
Calais XXL Marathon Finish Village ©Timothé Lovergne

The 2026 podiums

The first edition of the Calais XXL Marathon took place this Sunday, June 28th! An exceptional event with runners and good cheer in abundance. Find the rankings of all the runners on the Chronopale website. Well done to all the participants for their effort and congratulations to all the finishers!

The complete ranking
Calais XXL Marathon Medals ©Nohcab

Calais XXL Marathon 2026

On the women's marathon podium, we find: 

  • Caroline Sanson, at 03:24:18.92
  • Marion Savet, at 03:26:04.49
  • Justine Houteer Magni, in 03:32:03.19

On the men's podium:

  • Baptiste Mertz, in 02:40:12.81
  • Alexis Papegay, in 02:49:27.15
  • François Sbardella, at 02:51:37.99
Calais XXL Marathon 2026 Podium ©Stephane Ribeiro Da Ascencao

Calais XXL Half Marathon 2026

On the women's podium for the half-marathon, we find: 

  • Sélène Sibon, in 01:05:12.93
  • Hanaa Derrem at 01:29:17.36
  • Camille Dezoteux, at 01:33:55.92

On the men's podium:

  • Yohann Pruvot, at 01:11:36.82
  • Aliaume Delattaignant, at 01:15:55.24
  • Hugo Marcotte, at 01:15:57.96
Podium of the Calais XXL Half Marathon 2026 ©Stephane Ribeiro Da Ascencao

10km Calais XXL 2026

On the women's podium for the 10km race, we find: 

  • Louise Marcant, at 00:40:55.47
  • Alice Duytsche, in 00:41:55.09
  • Laetitia Six, at 00:42:25.30

On the men's podium:

  • Jérôme Cugny, at 00:36:08.56
  • Guillaume Admont, at 00:37:11.45
  • Maxime Haëm, at 00:37:41.37
Podium of the 10km Calais XXL 2026 ©Stephane Ribeiro Da Ascencao

Three races for each profile!

The Marathon (42,195 km)

The ultimate challenge for endurance enthusiasts, on a spectacular course between city, coastline and wide open spaces. It covers 42,195 km through city, coastline and wide open spaces, alternating between urban sections, sea views and more open crossings. The race will start at 8 a.m. at the Cap Blanc-Nez site. The marathon runners will descend towards Escalles where they will complete a small loop before heading back up towards Cap Blanc-Nez and then towards Sangatte, Coquelles, Blériot-Plage and finally Calais

The Half Marathon (21,1 km)

The start, like the marathon, will be at the Cap Blanc-Nez site. in Escalles. The runners will return to Calais, notably via the Sangatte seawall, offering a breathtaking panorama of the Strait. After a lap of the water at the Tom Souville Base, it will be time to reach the City of the Six Burghers for a finish line also located on the seafront.

The 10km race

Fast, festive, popular – ideal for beginners, clubs, or challenges between friends or colleagues. The route is exclusively in Calais and will see the start of the race will be given at the Quai de la Moselle for an arrival judged at the level of the seafront.

View of the horizon for the runners of the Calais XXL Marathon ©Nohcab

Why run in Calais?

A journey that is truly inspiring…

Running in Calais is much more than a personal challenge – it's a life-sized immersion in a breathtaking setting. With every kilometer, the Calais XXL Marathon course reveals a rich, diverse, and inspiring landscape.

The route runs alongside the vast beaches of Calais, stretching to the horizon and bathed in the unique light of the Opal Coast. You run with the sea as your companion, amidst the salty breeze, golden reflections, and ever-changing skies. The section along the Gaston-Berthe seawall and the view of the Strait of Dover make this course a rare and truly quintessential Calais experience.

Things to see and do during your stay
View of the starting line at Cap Blanc Nez ©Nohcab

A monumental and living heritage

Calais is also a vibrant city centre, steeped in history and defined by its symbols: The Town Hall and its belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage Sitethe statue of Burghers of Calais by Rodin, the ramparts of the Citadel, the Watchtower, or even the discreet charm of the district of Sea courgain.

It is also a city of art, audacity, and renewal. The Compagnie du Dragon and its famous bestiary,The City of Lace and Fashion, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Channel National Stage embody a creative, engaged and changing city.

Calais is now asserting itself as a vast territory of culture, sharing and experience, ready to reveal itself, even at a running pace!

Discover our inspirations
In the foreground, the street lamps which definitively mark the art-deco style of the Town Hall in the background and its monumental belfry. ©Nohcab
The Dragon of Calais, a colossal mechanical animal that moves along the renovated Calais seafront and its fine sandy beach in the background. ©Fred Collier

A marathon to share

The Calais XXL Marathon, It's a race that combines athletic performance, breathtaking scenery, and local identity. In the heart of a season that always promises to be full of excitement, this event is a must-attend for running enthusiasts, nature lovers, and visitors seeking authentic experiences on the... The Opal Coast and its iconic landscapes.

This event is organized by the group North Coast, already behind the Calais Urban Trail and the Urban Trails of Ardres, Coquelles, Hardelot, Dunkirk and Bray-Dunes, among others. It is also and above all the result of a collaborative work between multiple actors : communities, businesses and the sporting world as le Calais Olympic Stadium Athletics, the running specialist Strides, the Pas-de-Calais, Carrefour Market Calais Cœur de Vie et Calais XXL, main partner.

Marathon partners