This 15th edition of the Nice-Cannes marathon promises to be particularly festive. Nearly 14,000 participants will take off from the Promenade des Anglais this Sunday, November 5th, at 8 a.m.
2 hours 7 minutes and 25 seconds is the men’s record to beat. Held by Ethiopian Millaw Abrha, it was achieved during the Alpes-Maritimes-Nice-Cannes marathon in 2018. The best women’s time ever recorded for this race is 2 hours 28 minutes 15 seconds, belonging to Ethiopian Zenebu Fikadu, who clocked it in 2022.
This edition is fully booked. The number of participants approaches 14,000 across all events. 7,400 people have registered to run the 42.195 kilometers of the marathon. All 1,600 bibs planned for doing this race as a two-person relay have also been allocated. A 20-kilometer race is also planned between Nice and Villeneuve-Loubet.
Starting from Nice in front of the Théâtre de Verdure, the route will follow the Mediterranean coast to the Boulevard de la Croisette, where the finish line is set in front of the famous Hôtel Martinez by Hyatt. The marathon runners will pass through the towns of Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Villeneuve-Loubet, Antibes-Juan-Les-Pins, and Vallauris-Golfe-Juan.
And for this anniversary, the organizer Azur Sport Organisation represented by Pascal Thiriot has planned a dress code. To fit the theme, dressing in blue is recommended. The event aims to be festive with a race accompanied by entertainment from the start, featuring DJs and a circus-themed show, culminating with a confetti rain at the finish.
The marathon in numbers
Since 2008, 172,780 runners have participated in this now essential Azur event. 15 runners have signed up for the marathon every year since its creation; this will be their 15th edition.
To supply the 13,800 runners, 7 tonnes of bananas, 1.1 tonnes of oranges, and even 50,000 liters of water are planned. The organization has specified that 95 bins for plastic bottle collection and 131 for food waste are planned, and all unconsumed food during the event will be redistributed to their charity partner, the Alpes-Maritimes Food Bank.
What disruptions on the road?
Traffic and parking in Nice will experience some disruptions this Sunday, November 5th. A special arrangement has accordingly been put in place by the city of Nice. To get around, the municipality recommends prioritizing trams lines 1, 2, and 3 as a mode of transport.
Towards Nice West and the airport, it is advised to favor the A8 interchange 51 or the Voie Mathis. It is also advised to take the expressway towards Nice East and Nice Center.
Many streets perpendicular to the Promenade des Anglais will be closed to traffic. Access to Old Nice will be via the Crotti descent, and the exit via the Auguste Escoffier descent/rue des Ponchettes.
From 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., access to and from Nice Côte d’Azur airport will only be possible via the M6007 and M99 Digue des Français.
Some parking lots will be closed. The Sulzer and Rhul Méridien parking lots will no longer be accessible between 3 a.m. and 12 p.m. on November 5th. Those of Plaza and Masséna will have their access closed only between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The Arenas parking will just have an access modification; it won’t be accessible via Avenue des Floralies. Note that despite these disruptions, exits will remain possible.
