Canal des Deux Mers is a 530km / nonstop ultra marathon in Toulouse, France. Distance: 530km. Elevation: 200m D+. Difficulty: brutal (Challenge Rating 43/100). DNF rate: 35%. Time limit: 192h. Surface: trail. Established 2016.
Canal des Deux Mers
Toulouse, Occitanie, France
"530km nonstop from Atlantic to Mediterranean along France's historic canals."
A 530km nonstop run connecting two seas along UNESCO-listed canals in southern France.
The Course
A nonstop 530km run along the Canal du Midi and Canal de Garonne from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.
flat
point-to-point
15
Runner Experience
Solid aid station network with 15 stops along the course. Standard ultra fare — food, electrolytes, first aid.
Warm, inclusive finish line with a strong community feel. Runners celebrate together regardless of finish time.
Race Day Weather
20°C
12° – 28°
55%
20%
Southern France late summer — warm, sunny.
Stats & Records
2016
60
100:00:00
72:00:00
Patrick Bringer (2022)
88:00:00
Sophie Power (2023)
Entry
€250
January
months
Lore & Trivia
The Canal des Deux Mers ultra follows the historic canal system that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea across southern France — a 17th-century engineering marvel built under Louis XIV. Runners follow the towpath from Bordeaux to the Mediterranean coast, passing through the wine country of the Garonne valley, the pink brick city of Toulouse, and the sunflower fields of the Midi. The canal's plane trees create a green tunnel overhead. It's one of the flattest ultras in existence — the challenge is pure distance and mental endurance, not terrain.
- ▸ Connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea on foot along historic canals.
- ▸ The Canal du Midi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 17th century.
- ▸ Runners manage their own sleep — it's nonstop, not a stage race.
Six hundred kilometres of towpath. The canal is your guide, your companion, and eventually your enemy.
Notable Editions
Patrick Bringer Goes Sub-72
Patrick Bringer broke the 72-hour barrier on the canal route, proving that even flat multi-day races can produce extraordinary athletic performances when the mental game is mastered.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Canal des Deux Mers? +
Canal des Deux Mers is a 530km / nonstop (530km) ultra marathon with 200m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on trail terrain.
How hard is Canal des Deux Mers? +
Canal des Deux Mers is rated brutal with a Challenge Rating of 43/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 35%. Runners have 192 hours to finish.
How do I enter Canal des Deux Mers? +
Completion of a 200km+ ultra. Entry costs €250. with a maximum of 100 starters.
What is the weather like at Canal des Deux Mers? +
Average temperature is 20°C (range 12°C to 28°C) with 55% humidity and a 20% chance of rain. Southern France late summer — warm, sunny.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Canal des Deux Mers? +
Crew access is allowed. Pacers are allowed.
What is the course record for Canal des Deux Mers? +
The men's course record is 72:00:00 set by Patrick Bringer in 2022. The women's course record is 88:00:00 set by Sophie Power in 2023.
What is the average finish time for Canal des Deux Mers? +
The average finish time is 100:00:00. About 60 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 35%.
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