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Learn all about the Lake Annecy Maxi-Race 2026 Edition

Running fans living near Annecy know it well: the TERREX Maxi-Race of Lake Annecy is one of Europe’s most important trail races, which will take place from Friday, May 29 to Sunday, May 31, 2026 around Lake Annecy, in Haute-Savoie.

While the event is aimed at experienced runners seeking adventure through unique landscapes, the race is prepared and organized with the help of over 600 volunteers throughout the year to create a truly exhilarating trail. Discover with us a race to participate in this year, or to attend!

Table of Content

Maxi-Race Lake Annecy Event Dates: May 29 to 31, 2026

The Lake Maxi-Race Courses

More than an experience in itself, the Adidas TERREX MaXi-Race is an invitation to travel, adventure, and discovery for many participants, offering unique landscapes with views of the surrounding mountains and a resplendent lake. During the first editions, and more precisely since 2011, the race was organized by a handful of runners grouped within the DSN74 association, but over the years, the event has grown to rely on about fifteen local associations, sports-related or not. Today, the trail race brings together about fifteen passionate runners aiming to achieve their goals in an unparalleled setting.

Regarding the races, they are diverse and varied; whether solo or in a relay, each offers a unique experience worth discovering. There are two main types of races, each offering original courses:

The "Race" Courses

These races were designed with a more competitive spirit due to stricter time limits, and a minimum level is required to register for certain races. As for the courses, each offers a different experience:

  • The Lake Tour: whether you do it solo, over two days, or in a relay, this course promises to be tough: for the 15th edition of the Maxi-Race, the organizers and municipalities have worked together to offer a unique course adapted to the weather, with shaded areas and areas that are more easily secured in case of problems. During the race, you will pass through iconic places with views of Mont Blanc, the lake, and the mountains, at sunrise and sunset! A small particularity of this edition: the tour will be done in the opposite direction of previous editions, i.e., clockwise. Regarding the course itself, the first mountain to climb will be the Veyrier Massif, where it is planned to spend the night, which will allow you to set off again with a magnificent panoramic view before descending to the edge of the lake before reaching the finish line.
  • The Shokz Half-Lake Tour: this race will cover between 50 and 60km, reaching an altitude of 1650m for an equally magnificent viewpoint; with the lake tour going in the opposite direction of previous editions, this means the Shokz Half-Lake Tour will also go in the opposite direction. The last mountain to climb will be Semnoz with its 360° view of the Mont Blanc range, La Tournette, Lake Bourget… You’ll be amazed!
  • The Quarter Lake Tour: this course offers to cover a quarter of the Lake Tour in a completely innovative concept approved several years ago, as the course will be mostly downhill (what is called a “Negative Trail”)!
  • The Teen Race: this course is designed and developed for teenagers with the goal of physical, technical, and timed performance. This is a truly demanding course, so you need to be accustomed to steep, even slippery paths depending on the weather!
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Source: https://running-attitude.com/

The "Experience" Races

These races encourage self-transcendence, as well as discovery and the trail experience. They do not have a podium at the finish, and all runners, from first to last, will receive the same finisher’s prize, while being treated equally. Two experiences are offered:

  • The Marathon eXperience: taking place on Sunday, May 31, this 40-kilometer marathon is open to all to gain mountain experience. Starting and finishing in Annecy, participants will seek an iconic viewpoint at over 1500m altitude at the summit of Semnoz. The route will be a loop to limit travel.
  • The Mini-Race: it’s an ideal course, suitable for children aged 3 to 10! The distance varies by age, but the finish line is the same as the main Maxi-Race!
Official Race Website

For this 2026 edition, registrations for the Lake Maxi-Race are full, as they closed on October 30, 2025, except for the Teen Race and Mini-Races, whose registrations are extended respectively until February 15 and April 15, 2026. However, if you still wish to participate, know that it is possible by purchasing a bib via a waiting list: the first person on the waiting list will then be contacted by the registration provider, Sportips.

As a reminder, the races will take place from May 29 to 31, 2026, and it is important to bring your identification documents, as well as your bib, to participate in the race. In the meantime, please check your emails and your personal space on the official website for your registration confirmations. Additionally, you can find the terms and conditions there.

Dates, Registration, and Rules

  • General registration closing:
    October 30, 2025

  • Exception – Teen Race:
    Registrations open until February 15, 2026

  • Exception – Mini-Races:
    Registrations open until April 15, 2026

  • Waiting list:
    Possibility to buy back a bib if a spot becomes available (the first person on the waiting list will be contacted by Sportips)

Tips for preparing for the race

  • Train regularly: the key is to follow the 80/20 rule: 80% “easy” running, and 20% quality with elevation, tempo, and accelerations. You’ll see, your results will improve!
  • Monitor your nutrition: many participants drop out of the Maxi-Race due to stomach issues, not leg fatigue; make sure to alternate during the race between bars, gels, and fruits, such as bananas. You’ll fare better by managing this aspect.
  • Focus on strength training: do a few strength training sessions per week, prioritizing quadriceps, glutes, and ankles to avoid injury during the race.

What to do in Annecy during the Maxi-Race?

During the Maxi-Race, you can take advantage of your stay to discover the city of Annecy, an ideal destination because, beyond the city itself, its surrounding villages, such as Talloires, Montmin, or Menthon, to name just a few, constitute the true richness of the region: for example, explore the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, stop by the lake shores for a swim and water activities, or go hiking around the lake to feast your eyes on this exceptional site.

Come discover the Maxi-Race and Lake Annecy

The Lake Annecy Maxi-Race is the ultimate race for trail lovers, especially if you want to extend your Annecy experience before, during, or after the race! Whether you come solo or with friends, or even with your family, you will have a time full of challenges, camaraderie, and adventure, all in a sumptuous setting combining the best of the Northern Alps!

So, do you want to swim in the lake? Or go hiking in the mountains to discover the region’s flora and fauna? Then don’t hesitate any longer and plan your stay by booking the ideal accommodation with LLA Selections !

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