SaintéLyon - Course Data, Night Running and Cutoffs
SaintéLyon is an 80km night trail from Saint-Étienne to Lyon with around 1,963m of elevation gain and 2,290m of loss. The 2026 headline race starts Saturday 28 November at 23:30 with a finish barrier Sunday at 16:30 (17 hours). Winning times are typically around 5.5–6 hours.
Course profile
- Distance
- 80 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,963 m
- Elevation loss
- 2,290 m
- Cutoff
- 17h
- Typical winning time
- ~5h36
The race is famous for its night start and the long approach into Lyon. Checkpoint km and elevation figures follow the organizer timing platform until the 2026 course detail is fully published (part of the route renews each year). Assistance is restricted and drop bags run start-to-finish only - plan to be self-sufficient between stations. Expect cold November night running, mud, and runnable undulating trails rather than high-alpine passes.
Data is approximate and courses change between editions - always verify against the official race guide.
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~15 weeks · peak ~8 h/week · 5 run + 2 strength days
For a 80 km race, aim for about 11 h/week at peak. Set your availability to 13 h/week in the app for the headroom to build there gradually.
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Aid stations and checkpoints
| Checkpoint | Km | Cumulative gain (m) | Cumulative loss (m) | Cutoff | Crew | Drop bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start - Saint-Étienne | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - |
| Saint-Christo-en-Jarez | 19.2 | 615 | 348 | - | No | No |
| Sainte-Catherine | 34 | 1,012 | 812 | - | No | No |
| Le Camp - Saint-Genou | 45 | 1,377 | 1,255 | - | No | No |
| Soucieu-en-Jarrest | 58.8 | 1,625 | 1,752 | - | No | No |
| Chaponost | 65.4 | 1,717 | 1,901 | - | No | No |
| Lyon - Halle Tony Garnier (Finish) | 80 | 1,963 | 2,290 | Sun 16:30 | No | No |
Data is approximate and courses change between editions - always verify against the official race guide. Source: official race guide, verified July 17, 2026 - Official race website
FAQ
How long is SaintéLyon?
The SaintéLyon headline race covers 80km from Saint-Étienne to the Halle Tony Garnier finish in Lyon.
How much elevation gain does SaintéLyon have?
SaintéLyon has around 1,963m of cumulative elevation gain and about 2,290m of loss over 80km - a net downhill night race.
What is the cutoff time for SaintéLyon?
The overall cutoff is 17 hours, from the Saturday 23:30 start wave to the Sunday 16:30 finish barrier. Intermediate 2026 barriers are published with the final course.
Is SaintéLyon a night race?
Yes. The headline 80km starts late Saturday evening, so the majority of the field races through the night into Sunday morning and afternoon.
Can crew help at SaintéLyon aid stations?
External assistance is heavily restricted (elites-only under current rules) and drop bags are start-to-finish only. Treat the checkpoint table as self-sufficient resupply points.
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