2026 French Riviera Marathon Nice-Cannes - Nov 8 Countdown

Q: How do I register for the 2026 Nice-Cannes Marathon and what does it cost?

Registration is online and first-come, first-served at the official entry portal &mdash; this is not a lottery. Pricing is tiered: the first 1,000 entries are &euro;65 (&euro;61 for FFA-licensed runners), rising in stages toward &euro;95 as the field fills. The marathon typically sells out roughly 6 months early, so sign up well before race week.

Q: Is the Nice-Cannes course flat, and what is the elevation gain?

It is a fast, low-elevation course but not pancake-flat. Total climb is about 173m, most of it in the second half over the headlands between Antibes and Golfe-Juan. The official site advertises &ldquo;100m positive,&rdquo; while the French encyclopedia figure of 173m is more detailed &mdash; either way it is a gentle net-low coastal route that finishes flat in Cannes.

Q: What is the course route from Nice to Cannes?

It is a true point-to-point race. The gun fires at 8:00am from the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, then the route runs about 95&percnt; along the Mediterranean seafront through 7 communes &mdash; including Antibes and Juan-les-Pins &mdash; before finishing on the Boulevard de la Croisette by the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.

Q: How hard is the Nice-Cannes Marathon?

Moderate. The first half along the bay is fast and forgiving, so the main risk is going out too quick before the second-half rises near 173m of total gain. The seafront is exposed, so wind and afternoon sun can sap energy late. Pace the early flat kilometers conservatively and save effort for the rolling stretch before Cannes.

Q: Can I qualify for Boston at Nice-Cannes?

Yes. The course is AIMS-measured and holds the FFA International label, is listed on the World Athletics calendar, and also carries the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group ranking (a separate 40+ program). A time run here is accepted for Boston Marathon qualification, which is open to runners aged 18 and up. Note that you only need to enter on a first-come basis &mdash; no qualifying time is required to register.

Q: What is the time limit for the Nice-Cannes Marathon?

The official cutoff is 6 hours, applied from the gun and shared with the relay and duo formats. With an 8:00am start that puts the finish-line closure around 2:00pm. The generous limit suits both first-time marathoners and runners chasing a fast Riviera time.

Q: How big is the field and where does it rank in France?

The 2025 edition recorded 10,415 solo full-marathon finishers (cross-confirmed by multiple French results portals), up from 8,507 in 2024 &mdash; a record year. Counting relay and duo teams plus the companion 20km, all-event participation reaches roughly 21,000+. That makes Nice-Cannes the 2nd-largest marathon in France after Paris.

Q: What should I wear and where do I get results?

Wear light, breathable racing kit with sunglasses and a cap or visor for the open seafront; arm sleeves you can shed handle the cool 8am start. Official results are posted on the organizer site (marathon06.com) and the timing partner shortly after the race, with live tracking available on race day.

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Race Information

Race	2026 French Riviera Marathon Nice-Cannes - Nov 8
City	Nice to Cannes
Date	2026-11-08 at 08:00
Field Size	~10,415 runners
Time Limit	6 hours
Cutoff pace	8:32/km
Timezone	Europe/Paris
Official Site	Azur Sport Organisation

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	13.6°C / 56°F
Humidity	78%
Wind	20.3 km/h
Rain Chance	37%
Typical Conditions	Mild Mediterranean autumn. Race-month averages near 14°C (57°F), with an 8:00am start often around 11-12°C and a daytime high near 17°C. Humidity sits around 70&percnt;, with a roughly 22&percnt; chance of rain and a steady seafront breeze near 14 km/h.

What to Prepare: Dress for a cool coastal start that warms fast in full sun. Sunglasses and a visor help against Riviera glare off the sea; carry a thin throwaway top for the corral and toss it before the gun.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 20.3 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

	Cooler	Typical	Warmer
Temperature	10.8°C	14°C	15.9°C
Dew point	4.5°C	9.9°C	13.1°C

Wet-day chance: 37% Runnability: 75/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course Type	Point-to-point, net low-elevation coastal road
Elevation Gain	173m
Terrain	Sealed road the whole way, about 95&percnt; directly along the Mediterranean seafront, passing through 7 communes from Nice to Cannes.
Profile	Gentle and fast for most of the route, with roughly 173m of total climb concentrated in the second half (small rises through the Antibes/Golfe-Juan headlands) before the flat finish into Cannes.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 French Riviera Marathon Nice-Cannes - Nov 8

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for the 2026 Nice-Cannes Marathon and what does it cost?

Registration is online and first-come, first-served at the official entry portal — this is not a lottery. Pricing is tiered: the first 1,000 entries are €65 (€61 for FFA-licensed runners), rising in stages toward €95 as the field fills. The marathon typically sells out roughly 6 months early, so sign up well before race week.

Is the Nice-Cannes course flat, and what is the elevation gain?

It is a fast, low-elevation course but not pancake-flat. Total climb is about 173m, most of it in the second half over the headlands between Antibes and Golfe-Juan. The official site advertises “100m positive,” while the French encyclopedia figure of 173m is more detailed — either way it is a gentle net-low coastal route that finishes flat in Cannes.

What is the course route from Nice to Cannes?

It is a true point-to-point race. The gun fires at 8:00am from the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, then the route runs about 95% along the Mediterranean seafront through 7 communes — including Antibes and Juan-les-Pins — before finishing on the Boulevard de la Croisette by the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.

How hard is the Nice-Cannes Marathon?

Moderate. The first half along the bay is fast and forgiving, so the main risk is going out too quick before the second-half rises near 173m of total gain. The seafront is exposed, so wind and afternoon sun can sap energy late. Pace the early flat kilometers conservatively and save effort for the rolling stretch before Cannes.

Can I qualify for Boston at Nice-Cannes?

Yes. The course is AIMS-measured and holds the FFA International label, is listed on the World Athletics calendar, and also carries the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group ranking (a separate 40+ program). A time run here is accepted for Boston Marathon qualification, which is open to runners aged 18 and up. Note that you only need to enter on a first-come basis — no qualifying time is required to register.

What is the time limit for the Nice-Cannes Marathon?

The official cutoff is 6 hours, applied from the gun and shared with the relay and duo formats. With an 8:00am start that puts the finish-line closure around 2:00pm. The generous limit suits both first-time marathoners and runners chasing a fast Riviera time.

How big is the field and where does it rank in France?

The 2025 edition recorded 10,415 solo full-marathon finishers (cross-confirmed by multiple French results portals), up from 8,507 in 2024 — a record year. Counting relay and duo teams plus the companion 20km, all-event participation reaches roughly 21,000+. That makes Nice-Cannes the 2nd-largest marathon in France after Paris.

What should I wear and where do I get results?

Wear light, breathable racing kit with sunglasses and a cap or visor for the open seafront; arm sleeves you can shed handle the cool 8am start. Official results are posted on the organizer site (marathon06.com) and the timing partner shortly after the race, with live tracking available on race day.