a record-breaking edition
the marathon de la liberté enters the top 5 of running events in france
Nearly two months before the event, all the events of the Marathon de la Liberté, whose 37th edition will take place from May 30 to June 2, 2024 as part of the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, are now SOLD OUT. This is a record for the Normandy event, which is now one of the top 5 biggest running events in France, with 27,500 participants expected.
a sold-out event
Created in 1988 to pay tribute through sport to the events of D-Day, the Marathon de la Liberté is about to experience a historic edition as part of the festivities for the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.
The event's course fully illustrates this tribute to history through sport, making the Marathon de la Liberté a formidable showcase for Normandy.
On the program for this sporting and popular weekend, a unique range of events enabling everyone to participate according to their level of ability and desire:
- The Freedom Marathon, the ultimate event with a course steeped in history (5,000 participants);
- The Relay Marathon, strength in numbers (250 teams of 4);
- The Pegasus Half Marathon, the legendary event that starts from the famous Pegasus Bridge (5,000 participants);
- The 10km - Crédit Agricole Normandie, the short distance during which the city belongs to you (5,000 participants);
- La Rochambelle, a race-walk in aid of the fight against women's cancers (7,500 participants);
- Les Foulées de la Liberté, the event for schoolchildren in Caen (4,000 participants).
In addition to the early closure of all the events, the "Queen's Race" is attracting an ever-increasing number of enthusiasts, with 5,000 participants taking part in the legendary 42.195km distance on Sunday June 2. This figure is close to equalling the record number of participants (5,600 for the 50th anniversary of D-Day in 1994).
Thanks to this record attendance, D-Day Landings Marathon joins the top 5 of France's biggest running events, ranking 4th behind the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris, the Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris and Run in Lyon, with almost 30,000 participants expected from May 30 to June 2, 2024.
"Never before has the event been so popular, and sold out so quickly! A lot of people have been waiting for this edition to get started. There will be a lot of new marathoners in the field this year. We really felt the participants' thirst for a challenge and for surpassing themselves. We're getting testimonials from all over the world. The atmosphere will be very special and rich in emotion," explains Dominique Le Dret, President of the organizing association.
trainings
To support the future heroes in their sporting preparation, the organization has teamed up with the Caen Athletic Club and its coaches to offer FREE training plans.
A group outing is also planned for Saturday May 4, to enable local riders to complete their long outing together under the supervision of the event's pacemakers.
"Many runners will be running their first marathon in 2024. We wanted to support them and let them know that they are not alone in their preparation. The physical meetings help to create links and moments of sharing between runners and also with the organization," adds Nicolas Hassane, Event Director.
