SaintéLyon: An Iconic Nighttime Winter Ultra

• Location: Saint-Étienne to Lyon, France
• Distance: 8 miles (13 km) to 99.4 miles (160 km) across all formats
• Elevation gain: ~6,890 feet (2,100 meters) SaintéLyon; ~13,615 feet (4,150 meters) Lyon SaintéLyon; ~3,110 feet (948 meters) SaintExpress
• Event type: Nighttime ultra-trail / maratrail
• Part of / race series: SaintéLyon race weekend
• Date: Late November
• Participants: 20,000+ across all formats

The SaintéLyon: a storied ultra event

The SaintéLyon is an overnight winter trail race from Saint-Étienne to Lyon. The wider event spans several formats, from an 8-mile discovery run to a hundred-mile ultramarathon. The SaintéLyon route started in 1952 as a winter hiking event and later evolved into a competitive trail race during the 1970s. The course has been updated over the years, and today’s route is about 65% trails and 35% asphalt.

The SaintéLyon’s long history has earned it celebrity status, and the winter nighttime setting means that finishing times matter less than simply completing the cold, dark course.

Multiple formats, one legendary night race

The SaintéLyon event features six distances, plus several children’s events, similar to other multi-day, multi-race gatherings like the Festival des Templiers. The three key formats are the SaintéLyon Solo, the Lyon SaintéLyon Ultra, and the SaintExpress.

SaintéLyon Solo: the 80km flagship

This marquee event covers roughly 50 miles from Saint-Étienne to Lyon (only slightly shorter than the famous 90K du Mont-Blanc). The SaintéLyon’s elevation profile varies with the course, but the minimum gain is around 6,500 feet, and a start time of 11:30 p.m. puts runners on the course overnight.

Lyon SaintéLyon Ultra: the 160km challenge

The Lyon SaintéLyon Ultra doubles the distance to roughly 100 miles by adding an initial daytime leg from Lyon to Saint-Étienne. Starting at 9:00 a.m., Ultra runners have 13 hours to complete the first leg before returning via the traditional SaintéLyon distance that same evening, ultimately running a total distance similar to the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa.

SaintExpress: the 45km night trail

The SaintExpress “maratrail” starts in Sainte-Catherine and covers 28 miles to Lyon. It’s a common entrypoint for runners looking to attempt the 50-mile Solo one day, due to its comparable terrain and nighttime start.

The other races are:

• A 50-mile (80 km) relay for teams of 2, 3, or 4
• The 21.75-mile (35 km) SaintéVia
• The 15-mile (24 km) SaintéSprint
• The 8-mile (13 km) SaintéTic

A race through the night: winter conditions and a sea of headlamps

One of the most famous sights of the nocturnal SaintéLyon is the thousands of headlamps moving together, creating a parade of light over the ridgeline. Weather conditions for the SaintéLyon can feature freezing temperatures, intermittent snow, and muddy trail sections. Ice may form in exposed areas, slowing technical descents and making it vital for participants to understand how to run in cold weather and choose suitable running shoes for both icy, muddy trails and asphalt roads.

Gear and preparation for SaintéLyon

Training for an ultra-trail is always challenging, but the addition of winter weather and the need to stay safe while running at night makes preparation for the SaintéLyon uniquely demanding.

Gear for the SaintéLyon

With sections of both trail and road, choosing gravel running gear and shoes in the SaintéLyon depends on the conditions. Gravel running sneakers designed to go from mountains to asphalt are ideal when conditions are dry or variable. In wetter, muddy weather, or even snow, opt for lightweight trail shoes that prioritize grip.

View men’s trail running shoes

View women’s trail running shoes

Knowing what to wear running means understanding how to adapt clothes to variable conditions, too. A winter event requires trail running clothing with insulating midlayers and weatherproof outer layers. In addition, a headlamp is a mandatory piece of SaintéLyon equipment.

Physical SaintéLyon preparation

It’s best to follow a specific training schedule for ultra-endurance events, such as our 100km training plan, and to start preparation at least four months in advance. Training for the SaintéLyon should also include night running, especially if you’re newer to trail running, since travel on unfamiliar terrain with a headlamp typically requires slower, more deliberate footing, ultimately affecting the SaintéLyon’s results.

SaintéLyon 2026: dates and registration

The 2026 edition is scheduled for Saturday, November 28th, with the three main races concluding on the 29th. Registration for the SaintéLyon typically opens in spring, and participants must be at least 20 years old for most events.

Common SaintéLyon questions

How difficult is the SaintéLyon?

Regardless of the distance and elevation gain, any SaintéLyon race will provide a worthy challenge when you’re running in the Monts du Lyonnais for hours in the cold and dark, making finishing a major achievement in and of itself.

What equipment is mandatory for SaintéLyon?

The SaintéLyon provides a long list of necessary gear. Some key items include:

• A trail running backpack
• A hydration flask and reservoir
• A headlamp with spare batteries
• A survival blanket

The storied SaintéLyon: a winter challenge

The SaintéLyon's iconic status is a testament to its unique nature as a nighttime winter trail race with various formats offering different levels of difficulty. From the “maratrail” to the flagship 50-mile overnight ultra to a hundred-mile test of endurance, the SaintéLyon’s famous parade of headlamps makes it a noteworthy addition to the end of the trail running season.

Discover other epic trail events:

• Tor des Géants
• Transalpine Run
• Diagonale des Fous
• CCC® Trail Race