The Marathon de La Rochelle is an annual road running event which takes place in late November in La Rochelle, France. It features a full 42.195 km marathon race as well a 10 km race for amateur runners, a half marathon for wheelchair athletes, and a recreational 4 km jog around the city’s harbour.

The city of La Rochelle had its first marathon race in 1981. This competition lasted until 1989 (with shorter 20 km races occurring in 1983 to 1985). Following the absence of a race in 1990, the Marathon de La Rochelle was established in its place, having its first edition on 24 November 1991. The marathon is one of the most popular in France, having had a record high of 10,000 entrants and 8625 finishers at the 20th edition in 2010.

Among French races, only the Paris Marathon has had greater participation. Following the sudden death of Serge Vigot, the race founder and president of the organising committee, during the 2005 Marrakech Marathon, the event was officially renamed the Marathon De La Rochelle – Serge Vigot in his honour. The race as awarded IAAF Bronze Label Road Race status for the first time in 2011.

This is Firenze (Florence) Marathon! Along the way you will be surrounded by centuries of art, history and culture, a unique emotion that can only be experienced by those who run in Florence. Thousands of sports people and enthusiasts from all over the world come to participate in this classic race on the last Sunday in November.

The route takes you by all those landmarks of singular beauty that have made Florence famous worldwide: views over the enchanting hills and countryside, and passing right by the Cathedral Square, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio (to mention only just a few of historical importance), before entering the majestic Piazza Santa Croce. This event has increased immeasurably recently: this extraordinary increase in participation also testifies to the constant attention given to the organization of the race. The Florence Marathon is now the second Italian marathon (after Rome), and among the 20 most important marathons in the world.

The race involves many narrow streets, but runners also pass by some amazing Italian scenery and architecture. This includes views of the surrounding hills and countryside and a route that passes the likes of the Cathedral Square, Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio.

This race is the oldest marathon in Central and South America. A Sport film’s movie, “Marathons of the World”, once featured the Panama City International Marathon as one of the 26 top marathons worldwide. Its history dates back to the US military stationed at the Panama Canal.