Running in Nice
For casual joggers to serious runners, Nice has got you covered with miles of running paths and an impressive slate of running events all year long.
First of all, GreatRuns (in English) is the best site for self-guided runs throughout the Cote d’Azur with maps and photos and videos.
And, here is the official 50-page Nice Runners’ Guide (in English) which you can flip through here or download the whole thing to keep as a reference.
Every single weekend all year long, there is a running event somewhere whether on the coast or up in one of the charming little hill towns, and here is the up-to-date race schedule for the entire region including Provence, and another one that is more localized with with only races accessible from Nice.
Main Riviera Running Events
All runs have a parallel slate of shorter races for all levels, so absolutely everyone can participate.
January: The Prom Classic 10k Run The first Sunday after New Years, January 7, 2024. One of the world’s most picturesque 10ks, held along the seaside on the gorgeous Promenade des Anglais.
February: The Monaco 10k is Saturday February 10, 2024, and the Cannes Semi-Marathon is Sunday February 25, 2024.
March: The Cannes Semi-Marathon
April: Nice International Semi-Marathon, April 28, 2024 A gorgeous completely flat double loop route that runs along the seaside and finishes with a big concert at Place Massena. Plus additional shorter races for all levels including a 5k, 10k and family 1.5k. 2024 had 11,000 participants!
June: The Nice Ironman European Championship June 16, 2024 The ultra-endurance race of insane proportions for mega-athletes that starts with a 2.4 miles (3.8 km) open water swim, then mountain bike for 112 miles (180 km), then run a full marathon of 26.2 miles (42 km) on the Prom.
For a more reasonable triathlon, the Cagnes Triathlon is Sunday June 30, 2024, with 1000 competitors doing an open-water swim, biking through the hills, and finishing with a semi-marathon.
September: One of the most prestigious and grueling athletic contests in the world, the Ironman World Championships are now held in Nice, alternating Men’s and Women’s each year with Kona, Hawaii.
October: Jogging Rose Sunday, October 8, 2023 Two very pink seaside runs, 5k and 7k, along the gorgeous Promenade des Anglais. Expect around 1000 participants, with the proceeds benefiting breast cancer research.
November: The Nice-Cannes Marathon First Sunday in November – Just possibly the most picturesque marathon course in the world!
December: Over the border in Italy, the The Sanremo Marathon/Semi-Marathon/10-k and Family 3k Run – December 3, 2023 is a delight. Spend a day on the Italian Riviera (just an hour from Nice by train) for possibly the most beautiful (and flat) running course in Europe. There are races for every level.
Casual Jogging
Nice is crisscrossed with miles of protected bike paths, which can be great for joggers, too. Just go to Google Maps, touch the ‘layers’ icon, and tap Cycling and you can see the full network of bike trails which also work for running trails.
For morning joggers that just want a quick run along the Prom, here is a handy distance calculator:
And for something really different, try a day with the Hash House Harriers!
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Photo by Best of Nice