adidas TERREX MaXi-Race du lac d'Annecy
tOur du Lac solo (Ultra)
Annecy (Les Marquisats) → Annecy
Race guide
Updated 19 July 2026
The tOur du Lac Solo Ultra is the headline event of the adidas TERREX MaXi-Race du lac d'Annecy — a 102 km loop that circumnavigates the entire perimeter of Lac d'Annecy, starting and finishing at Les Marquisats on the lakeside in the heart of Annecy. With 5784 m of cumulative elevation gain and a high point of 1843 m, this is a genuine mountain ultra that demands respect despite the stunning alpine scenery at every turn. The race blends sustained technical singletrack on the forested ridges above the lake with faster runnable sections along the shore, making it a true test of both climbing ability and flat-speed endurance. Six checkpoints punctuate the route, including crew access at Doussard (50 km) and the finish at Annecy, with a hard cut-off of Sunday 01:45 at the finish line. Whether you are chasing a podium or simply aiming to complete a lap of one of Europe's most beautiful lakes, understanding the shape of this course is the key to a successful race.
Course & Terrain Overview
The 102 km route makes a full clockwise loop of Lac d'Annecy, departing from Les Marquisats at 447 m above sea level and returning to almost exactly the same altitude at the finish. The terrain is characterised by a repeating pattern of sharp climbs up onto the forested ridges and limestone bluffs that ring the lake, followed by descents back toward the water. Trail surfaces vary considerably: expect rooted and rocky singletrack on the upper slopes, wider forest doubletrack on the mid-mountain sections, and occasional paved or gravel paths along the lakeside corridors. The route passes through several distinct sectors — Semnoz, Doussard, Col de la Forclaz, Talloires-Montmin and Menthon-Saint-Bernard — each with its own character. The first half to Doussard is dominated by the big ascent to Semnoz; the second half from Doussard onward becomes progressively more technical and relentless as fatigue accumulates. With the high point sitting at 1843 m, altitude is not a primary concern, but the sheer volume of climbing — nearly 5800 m across 102 km — means there is no truly flat or easy section to coast through.
Decisive Climbs & Descents — Where the Race Is Won and Lost
The climb to Semnoz is the defining early challenge: arriving at 1597 m just 22 km into the race, it represents a gain of roughly 1150 m from the lakeside start in less than a quarter of the total distance. Going out too hard here will destroy your second half. Treat the Semnoz ascent as a controlled effort — it is a long grind on forested trails and the descent into the Doussard basin at 557 m demands technical confidence on rooty ground. The second decisive block begins after the crew point at Doussard (50 km) with the climb to Col de la Forclaz at 1206 m (62 km), followed by the Talloires-Montmin sector at 961 m (75 km) and the punishing late climb to the Menthon-Saint-Bernard sector at 1535 m (88 km). That final major ascent — coming at 88 km when legs are thoroughly cooked — is where races unravel. Runners who arrive at Menthon-Saint-Bernard in good shape and with enough calories on board can afford to push the final 14 km descent back into Annecy; those who have blown up earlier are simply in survival mode. The long descent to the finish from nearly 1535 m is fast but technical enough to demand care from tired quads.
Pacing Strategy
Divide the race mentally into three blocks. Block one (0–50 km to Doussard): hold back significantly on the Semnoz climb — power-hike the steep sections, run only where the gradient eases, and arrive at the crew point in a controlled state with energy in reserve. Block two (50–88 km, Doussard to Menthon-Saint-Bernard): this is the most complex section of the course, with two major climbs and significant technical terrain. Aim to keep effort steady and consistent rather than surging on the climbs; the Col de la Forclaz and Talloires-Montmin sectors reward patience. Block three (88–102 km): the final 14 km from Menthon-Saint-Bernard back to Annecy is your opportunity to empty the tank, but only if you have managed the earlier climbs well. With a finish cut-off of Sunday 01:45, runners targeting completion rather than a time should calculate their buffer carefully at Menthon-Saint-Bernard — 14 km with a significant descent is still 90–120 minutes of hard running for many athletes at that stage of the race.
Fuelling & Hydration
At 102 km with close to 5800 m of climbing, caloric demands are high — plan for 250–350 kcal per hour depending on your intensity and body weight, and do not underestimate the time on feet this course demands. The checkpoint spacing is manageable but not generous: there is a gap of 28 km between the start and Semnoz, and another 25–26 km stretch from the finish sector at Menthon-Saint-Bernard back to Annecy. Carry sufficient food and fluid for these longer legs. The crew access at Doussard (50 km) is the golden opportunity to resupply, swap kit, address any hot spots on feet and reset mentally at the halfway mark. Use it strategically — have your crew prepared with a specific drop bag plan rather than wasting precious minutes rummaging. The Col de la Forclaz checkpoint at 62 km and Talloires-Montmin at 75 km are essential fuelling windows before the demanding final climb; top up both calories and fluid at every opportunity in the second half rather than waiting until you feel the need.
Conditions to Expect
The MaXi-Race takes place in the Haute-Savoie Alps, where mountain weather can shift rapidly even in the summer racing season. At the high point of 1843 m on Semnoz and on the exposed ridges above the lake, temperatures can be significantly cooler than at the lakeside start in Annecy, and afternoon thunderstorms are a genuine possibility in this part of the French Alps. Pack a mandatory waterproof shell and do not leave it in a drop bag at Doussard if the forecast is uncertain. The race runs through the night to the Sunday 01:45 finish cut-off, so a quality headtorch with a spare battery or backup torch is essential for any runner not finishing in the top ranks. Night sections on the technical descents above Talloires-Montmin and on the final ridge above Menthon-Saint-Bernard require a bright, reliable beam. Early starters should also be prepared for pre-dawn conditions at altitude on the Semnoz climb if the race starts in the evening or early morning hours. Traction requirements vary by year — lugged trail shoes are advisable given the rooted and potentially muddy singletrack on the forested upper slopes.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 447 m · —
3.7 km · 449 m · —
7.4 km · 793 m · Sat 04:40
11.5 km · 1030 m · —
14.5 km · 573 m · Sat 05:55
17.3 km · 693 m · Sat 06:30
23.2 km · 1823 m · —
24.5 km · 1597 m · Sat 09:00
28.1 km · 803 m · Sat 09:50
30.5 km · 1363 m · —
36.9 km · 1028 m · Sat 12:30
46.6 km · 453 m · Sat 14:20
60.9 km · 1323 m · —
66.9 km · 846 m · Sat 19:35
79 km · 1384 m · Sat 23:05
80.5 km · 1574 m · —
85.5 km · 1536 m · Sun 00:45
94.4 km · 1006 m · Sun 02:40
100 km · 671 m · Sun 04:20
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