a new culture of the finisher jersey

39th edition of the D-day Landings Marathon

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The D-Day Landings Marathon a new step in its history by unveiling an ambitious redesign of its finisher’s jersey for the 2026 edition, which was previewed for its partners on Monday, April 27. For the occasion, the event is teaming up with two new partners: the sportswear manufacturer Kinetik and the textile creative agency Carré Croix, to transform this traditional symbol of running into a true piece of design, created to be worn and celebrated.

in the footsteps of d-day heroes

Created in 1988 to commemorate the events of D-Day through sports, the D-Day Landings Marathon to take place once again from 4th to 7th June 2026

With its iconic routes, stretching from the coast to the countryside, the event fully embodies the region’s history and serves as an exceptional showcase for Normandy.

This popular sports weekend features a unique lineup of events, allowing everyone to participate based on their skill level and preferences: D-Day Landings Marathon (5,000 participants), Relay Marathon (250 teams of 4), Pegasus Half Marathon (5,000 participants), 10K Crédit Agricole Normandy (5,000 participants), La Rochambelle (10,000 participants) and Les Foulées de la Liberté (4,000 children). In total, nearly 30,000 participants are expected.

A finisher's jersey that's changing status

Long considered just a standard souvenir T-shirt—often generic and rarely worn—the finisher’s T-shirt is now entering a new era.

The event aims to challenge this perception by offering a radically different approach: designing a desirable, high-quality, and sustainable garment, conceived as an integral part of a runner’s wardrobe. More than just a symbol of performance, it extends the experience and becomes a personal statement, seamlessly integrated into everyday life.

Running as an urban culture

With this new direction, the D-Day Landings Marathon a strong belief: running is part of a global urban culture. Running means moving through living spaces, joining in a collective rhythm, and making sport a language present in public spaces. The finisher’s jersey is part of this tradition: it signifies belonging to a community.

This vision is part of a broader effort to bring together sports, design, and lifestyle, and to redefine the traditional norms of running events.

A new sponsor for the D-Day Landings Marathon

The event has a clear goal: to provide participants with a premium experience. The finisher’s jersey is a key part of this experience, designed to recognize the runners’ dedication.

The D-Day Landings Marathon is D-Day Landings Marathon than just a race: it tells a story and brings people together. The 2026 finisher’s jersey thus becomes a symbolic emblem, bridging the worlds of sports, culture, and the local community.

“We have always been convinced that this event conveys a powerful story and message: that of history and its transmission. The people of Normandy are deeply attached to this event and are its foremost ambassadors. We commemorate, we pay tribute, but in a different way: through sports, through movement, through the emotion of sharing. In 2026, we won’t be handing out a T-shirt, but a true piece of life,” says Nicolas Hassane, the event’s director.

Movement as the theme of the year

As this year’s central theme, movement embodies the essence of running: moving forward, pushing oneself, and crossing the finish line together. The finisher’s T-shirt has become a symbol of this spirit, blending athletic drive, inspiration, and freedom. This momentum continues with La Rochambelle, a women’s charity race dedicated to the fight against women’s cancers.

Throughout the weekend, a shared sense of energy is palpable: sports become a common language, a force for unity.

Two partners at the heart of the creative process

To bring this new vision to life, the D-Day Landings Marathon on two complementary areas of expertise.

kinetik

As the event’s new equipment supplier, the brand brings its technical know-how and expertise in performance materials and apparel, ensuring a high level of innovation and designs tailored to athletic use.

In particular, it is advancing textile manufacturing standards by replacing screen printing with sublimation printing, resulting in a more durable and high-quality finish.

square cross

Specializing in sportswear with a strong fashion focus, the agency takes a creative and urban approach to clothing, reimagining the classic running jersey to align it with contemporary trends in everyday fashion.

The agency stands out locally for its creative and community-building initiatives centered around the Rocquancourt soccer club, which have helped strengthen its visual identity and create a real sense of community.

With this collaboration, Carré Croix is expanding its scope of practice with a new discipline added to its portfolio.

“A piece of clothing always tells a story. A jersey should be designed to be worn, not stored away. That’s often what’s missing from finisher jerseys in the running industry. Above all, we focused on the meaning and the message, while designing a truly stylish piece. It’s a way to carry that sense of effort into everyday life,”, says Axel Chauvière, co-founder of Carré Croix.