In short The Course des Lumières returns to Lyon on Saturday 7 November 2026 along the Rhône, with a timed 10 km, a 10 km of Lights, a 5 km run and a 5 km walk, and €10 of every entry going to the Hospices Civils de Lyon Foundation.
Lyon, its embankments, its lights… and you leading the parade
Lyon has a special relationship with light. Every December, the whole city switches on for its Festival of Lights. But a month earlier, it's the runners who play the lanterns.
The Course des Lumières returns on Saturday 7 November 2026. The idea is simple: you run (or walk) along the Rhône as night falls, light stick in hand, in a mood closer to a festive stroll than a national championship. The previous Lyon edition took place on Friday 21 November 2025.
It's the perfect race for anyone who thinks running is great, but could do with a bit more sparkle.
Four formats, from stopwatch to stroll
There's something for every pair of legs:
- 10 km Chrono: the serious, timed version, on its own flat and fast course along the Rhône banks. It's the first wave to go, in the late afternoon.
- 10 km des Lumières: two 5 km loops, untimed, light stick mandatory (well, strongly recommended for the photo).
- 5 km run: a single 5 km loop, running.
- 5 km walk: the same course, at your own pace, with no age limit. Perfect for bringing the family, the "not very sporty" colleague or grandma.
Starts are in waves from quai de Serbie, from late afternoon into early evening. Exact times vary between sources: the event page lists the 10 km Chrono at 4:30 pm and the other formats at 6 pm, while the FAQ details waves from 4:40 pm to 6:20 pm. Check your wave on your entry confirmation before you go, so you don't end up chasing your own race.
The course: a postcard on the move
The 5 km starts from quai du Général-Sarrail, heads towards Confluence along the Rhône, turns around towards the Karen-Blixen banks, comes back up towards the Parc de la Tête d'Or and finishes on quai de Serbie. The 10 km of Lights simply goes round twice.
Along the way, the scenery does the work: the Opera, the Grand Hôtel-Dieu, the Musée des Confluences and the Fourvière hill keeping an eye on everyone. Some runners pay a fortune for trips that are far less photogenic.
A race that runs for someone else
The Course des Lumières is first and foremost a charity race. In Lyon, the partner is the Hospices Civils de Lyon Foundation. Every entry includes a €10 donation, with a tax receipt.
And it adds up to a lot of light: according to the organisers, the event has already raised over one million euros in Lyon, and over three million across France, with the Paris and Toulouse editions. This year, Toulouse runs on 14 November and Paris on 21 November, if you fancy the full tour.
Practical info
- Bib pickup: at the village, place du Maréchal-Lyautey, on Friday 6 November from 3 pm to 7 pm and Saturday 7 November from 10 am to 12:30 pm.
- Medical certificate: not required. Timed races need a PPS certificate less than a year old.
- Minimum age: 14 for the running formats, no limit for the walk.
- Recommended kit: a head torch or reflective clothing never hurts in November, plus a warm layer for the wait on the embankments. In early November, after dark, the Rhône is not famous for its warmth.
And where does Leg Up fit in?
We'll be honest: we won't be at the Course des Lumières. Not because we don't like Lyon (we love it), but for two very down-to-earth reasons.
First, it's short. A 5 km or a 10 km is great for your legs, but brands renting a calf on Leg Up are looking for races where their colours stay in front of the crowd for a long time.
Second, it's at night. And a temporary tattoo, however beautiful, has one major flaw: it doesn't glow in the dark. A brand paying for an invisible calf would struggle to explain it to its marketing team. Here, the star is the light stick. We'll leave it the spotlight.
So this time, your calf is on holiday: it runs for fun, for a good cause and for the view of Fourvière. It'll be back on duty at a longer daytime race, where everyone can finally admire it.
Have a great race, everyone, and remember to smile for the photographers, even in the dark.
Sources
Information from the event page on Finishers. Times, rules and entry conditions published by the organiser prevail.
The Leg Up team
Sunday runners (and Thursday-night ones) who decided their calves deserved a salary. We write Le Ravito between two long runs.