Cycling & running events in Annecy, 2026

Annecy Training Notes

Running: Locals split easy miles between Lake Annecy, Charles Bosson Park, the Jardins de l’Europe, and the hillier trails toward Semnoz, Mont Veyrier, La Tournette, and Parmelan. The city centre gives you flat Z2, quick intervals, and easy café roll-ins after a shakeout. Social Run Club Annecy meets outside Colombus Cafe on Sundays at 10:15 AM, usually for 5 km at 5:55-6:20 per km. Circle Run Club meets Mondays at 6:30 PM at Canaille, Nouvelles Galeries. Marathon du lac d’Annecy, Corrida d’Annecy, Maxi Race d’Annecy, and Trail d’Annecy-Les Glaisins are the anchor races.

Cycling: Locals ride the lake when they want base miles and ride the cols when they want the real work. Matchy Brigade runs guided rides on Wednesday evenings for 40 km to 50 km and Saturday mornings for 70 km to 90 km. The Saturday ride takes 5 hours when you keep it steady. Col de Leschaux, Col de la Forclaz, Col de Colombiere, Semnoz, and Col de l’Arpettaz are where the climbing starts. Ultra Race Les Géants, with 300 km, 500 km, and 1000 km options, is the big road anchor.

Season: September is the clean pick, because the lake can still feel like summer while the top of a big col feels cooler. Summer stays moderate on average, but early September by the lake can push over 30 degrees, so locals start early, hit the almost empty beaches, and keep Z2 honest. Winter changes the rhythm for both sports, with single-digit daytime temperatures, cold rain, night frosts, and snow that is not uncommon. Semnoz sits 20 minutes from Annecy, Les Glières sits 45 minutes away, and La Clusaz and Le Grand-Bornand sit 40 minutes away when skiing takes over.