Pays de Gex – Monts Jura is the perfect combination of rolling plains and challenging terrain, quiet country lanes and morale-boosting views.
Whether you’re a Sunday runner, an early morning jogger or a mileage enthusiast, there’s always a route waiting for you. You don’t have to be a professional athlete: from a leisurely 5km to a challenging 42km, there’s something for everyone… and something to enjoy.
So, shall we go for a run? 🏃♂️💨
Running routes for everyone
A small format… but a great playground!
Voie verte Farges – Péron
This stretch of greenway links Farges to Péron in complete peace and quiet, via a level track through the countryside. It’s the perfect route for those looking for a quick nature break, a safe run or simply a quiet morning jog.
Mind you, the climb is a little steeper from Farges towards Péron, making it a good place to work on active endurance or light cardio. The return journey is all downhill, ideal for relaxing.
The perfect spot to warm up
Voie verte de Thoiry
Nestling between forest and village, the Thoiry greenway is a breath of fresh air for everyday runners. Its short but well-developed route makes it an ideal option for stretching your legs without wasting time, before or after work.
The terrain is supple, the setting soothing, and the slight but present gradient allows you to vary your sensations a little. It’s also a great spot to try out some progressive speed round trips, or to work on short boulders if you’re preparing for a faster race.
A return trip = a half-marathon!
Voie verte Gex – Divonne-les-Bains
It’s the perfect route for runners preparing for a 21 km or who like long distances without a big climb. The route is identical in both directions, which makes it easier to manage your effort. On the outward journey, the route descends gently towards Divonne; on the return journey, it climbs slightly to Gex, without being too steep. If you feel like it (or if your legs allow it), you can join the lake for an extra lap.
The route alternates between urban areas, open fields and wooded areas.
A loop? Around 6.6 km of pure green fun!
Voie verte des Tattes – Ornex / Prévessin-Moëns
This little greenway has all the makings of a big one: shade, trees, soothing silence… and yet it’s right in the heart of the region! Linking Prévessin-Moëns to Ornex, it takes you for a gentle jog, away from the cars, through clear woods, levelled paths and small footpaths.
It’s the perfect kind of route for a lunchtime running break, a gentle resumption or a Sunday morning jog. And if you like a bit of variety, you can even round off your session with a few exercises in the open-air fitness area along the route!
One or more rounds? You decide!
lac de Divonne-les-Bains
Whether you’re a beginner runner, a fartlek enthusiast or a marathon runner in the throes of preparation, the Tour du Lac de Divonne is a must in the Pays de Gex. This flat, safe and 100% pedestrian route takes you around the prettiest lake in the Pays de Gex: Lac de Divonne.
The atmosphere is always pleasant, with early morning joggers, walkers, pushchairs and ducks all enjoying the peace and quiet. And if your legs start to tingle, you can simply add a few laps to extend the distance. Three laps = 10 km flat, perfect for a brisk outing or a pace test.
There’s even a few places to stretch out or have a picnic afterwards.
Running here, shining there
When you love to run, you also love to share that passion in events that thrill. And just the thing: Pays de Gex – Monts Jura is partnering two major running events in neighbouring Switzerland, open to all levels of runner, in an atmosphere that’s both sporting and friendly.
The Generali Genève Marathon : challenging yourself on the shores of Lake Geneva
Every spring, the Generali Genève Marathon brings together tens of thousands of runners in a picture-postcard setting: the Geneva countryside, Lake Geneva, views of the Alps, a finish in the heart of the city… It’s one of the most beautiful marathons in Europe, just a few strides from the Pays de Gex!
You don’t have to be a marathon runner to enjoy it! The Geneva Marathon offers several formats that are accessible to everyone, from a family-friendly 5km to Nordic walking, as well as a 10km and half-marathon.
The atmosphere is festive, there’s plenty of encouragement and there’s something for everyone, even the children with their own mini races.
And we’re there! Pays de Gex – Monts Jura has a stand in the runners’ village to help visitors discover its routes, its landscapes and its energy. It’s the perfect opportunity to show that running here is just as magical as running in Geneva.
The Balexert 20 km: autumn in urban & fun mode
Later in the year, in November, we’ll be heading for another not-to-be-missed event: the Balexert 20km in Geneva. It’s shorter and more urban. It’s the kind of race where you come for the challenge, but above all for the ultra-positive atmosphere: good humour, short formats and lots of people to cheer you on.
Pays de Gex – Monts Jura is also a partner of the event, with the same objective: to encourage runners to come and breathe here, between the plains and the mountains, after their race or to prepare for the next one.
Running is also a bridge between our regions. These partnerships are a great opportunity to show that Pays de Gex, just a stone’s throw from Geneva, is an ideal place for a different kind of running. People come here to vary the terrain, to progress without pressure, or simply for a change of scenery.
What if running was all about fun?
We’re also running for fun, music and colour! Here are a few 100% fun events to put in your diary!
Strides
The Foulées Gessiennes are the perfect opportunity to train or simply have a good time with friends. Two Foulées are organised in Pays de Gex:
- La foulée de Chevry takes place in September and offers several types of race: from 850 m to 2.5 km for children and 6 and 10 km for adults.
- The foulée de Crozet takes place in October. The event offers a variety of routes for all abilities, with road races of 5, 10 and 28 km. Participants can look forward to picturesque routes, made up of large loops that challenge runners while offering breathtaking views of the Pays de Gex.
Colour runs
For the most fun-loving of you, there are 3 Color Runs not to be missed! And yes, running while covered in fluorescent powder is even better.
Cessy
Color run
At four points along the 5-kilometre route, runners will be sprinkled with 100% natural coloured powder, with surprise events put on by local associations.
A fun, sporting race for a good cause! Registration fees for the race are donated to the Monts Jura Handisports association and go towards funding handisport activities and developing new initiatives and projects.
Saint-Genis-Pouilly
Run n’Roll Color Day
It’s the only colourful race on foot or on wheels in France. This non-timed race is suitable for everyone on trainers, rollerblades, scooters or skateboards! There’s usually a choice of 3 races: 5km RUN, 5km ROLL or 10km RUN n’ ROLL, accessible from the age of 6.
Thoiry
Color’Thoiry
This fun, family and intergenerational race, open to children aged 6 and over, is organised by Thoiry town council. There’s no stopwatch or ranking when you cross the line: the aim of Color’Thoiry is simple: to run and have fun!
For fans of trainers with studs!
Want to swap tarmac for dirt tracks? We’ve got two great races to tempt you.
The first: imagine a historic monument, perched high above the Rhône, transformed into a sporting playground. That’s the Fort l’Écluse Challenge! A dry (but intense) ascent of more than 800 steps that takes you from the bottom to the top of the fort, with a spectacular view and a good dose of adrenalin at the end. It’s a short, explosive, but above all friendly format, which brings together a great community of runners and curious onlookers every year, ready to take up the challenge (precisely ;)… in a sweaty, good-humoured way!
And if you still want more, head for the heights of the Jura with the Trail du Reculet. It’s a step up in speed: steep climbs, grandiose landscapes and breathtaking panoramas of the Alps and Lake Geneva. This trail takes you to the second highest peak in the Jura Massif: Le Reculet and its famous cross. It’s a demanding race, but one that’s sure to be rewarding for the legs… and the eyes.
Then there’s a change of category: the Tiger Balm Ultra 01 crosses the Pays de Gex – Monts Jura countryside every year, with several race formats, from 20 to 170 km. There are several starting points: Pays de Gex, Valserhône and Oyonnax. This is a major event for the Ain department. With its technical sections, long climbs and breathtaking views, it’s a real challenge, but also a great way to discover the region’s natural riches.
And last but not least, the Ultra Trail Montagnes du Jura (UTMJ). This is the region’s biggest trail event. Several formats, from 20 km to 170 km (!), a crossing of the Jura massif, hundreds of runners from all over France and beyond, meticulous logistics and the atmosphere of a major outdoor event.
In short, it’s a different way of running, in a setting that makes you want to do it all over again tomorrow.
Whether you've got 20 minutes or 4 hours to spare, there's always a good reason to run around Pays de Gex – Monts Jura.
Thematics
