Skip to content

6 Jours de France is a 6 Days (Timed) ultra marathon in Privas, France. Elevation: 0m D+. Difficulty: brutal (Challenge Rating 27/100). Time limit: 144h. Surface: road. Established 1996.

6 Days (Timed) brutal timed-event flat road loop

6 Jours de France

Privas, Ardèche, France

"Run as far as you can in 6 days. The world record is over 1,000km. On a flat 1.2km loop."

27
Moderate
Distance 6 Days (Timed)
Elevation Gain ↑0m
Surface road
Cutoff 144h
What Makes It Unique

The world's premier 6-day race — a pure test of multi-day endurance on a flat loop in southern France.

The Course

A 6-day timed event on a flat 1.2km loop. Runners accumulate as many kilometers as possible in 144 hours. The world's premier multi-day timed event. Competitors run, walk, eat, and sleep in shifts — the winner is whoever covers the most distance.

Profile

flat

Topology

multi-loop

Aid Stations

1

Yes Crew Access
No Pacers

Runner Experience

Scenery 2/5
Organization 4/5
Community 5/5
Aid Stations

Loop-based format with continuous access to a central aid area between laps.

Post-Race Culture

Warm, inclusive finish line with a strong community feel. Runners celebrate together regardless of finish time.

Race Day Weather

Temperature

18°C

10° – 25°

Humidity

55%

Rain Chance

30%

Conditions

Late spring in southern France — generally mild and pleasant.

Stats & Records

Established

1996

Finishers

100

Course Record (M)

1036km in 6 days

Yiannis Kouros (2005)

Course Record (W)

883km in 6 days

Patrycja Bereznowska (2017)

Entry

Entry Cost

€200

Opens

September

Sells Out

months

Qualification Required
Official Website →

Lore & Trivia

Six Jours de France (Six Days of France) is one of the world's premier 6-day races — a timed event where runners accumulate as many kilometres as possible in 144 hours on a short loop course. The format descends directly from the Victorian "pedestrianism" craze of the 1870s-1880s, when professional walkers competed in 6-day events at venues like Madison Square Garden for huge cash prizes. Modern 6-day races preserve this tradition in a purer form: no terrain challenges, no navigation, just the fundamental question of how far a human body can travel in 6 days without stopping. The world record exceeds 1,000km — averaging 170km per day for six consecutive days.

  • 6-day timed race — accumulate maximum kilometres in 144 hours.
  • Format dates back to Victorian "pedestrianism" of the 1870s.
  • World-class runners target 800+ km (averaging 130+ km/day).
  • The world 6-day record exceeds 1,000km.
  • Sleep strategy is the defining tactical decision.
  • Short loop course eliminates terrain as a variable — pure endurance.
  • France has a strong tradition in multi-day racing.

In a 6-day race, Day 1 is a jog. Day 3 is a war. Day 6 is a meditation.

— A 6-day race veteran On the psychological phases of multi-day loop racing

Similar Races

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is 6 Jours de France? +

6 Jours de France is a 6 Days (Timed) ultra with 0m of elevation gain on road terrain.

How hard is 6 Jours de France? +

6 Jours de France is rated brutal with a Challenge Rating of 27/100 (Moderate). Runners have 144 hours to finish.

How do I enter 6 Jours de France? +

Must have completed a 24h+ timed event or 200km+ ultra.. Entry costs €200.

What is the weather like at 6 Jours de France? +

Average temperature is 18°C (range 10°C to 25°C) with 55% humidity and a 30% chance of rain. Late spring in southern France — generally mild and pleasant.

Are crew and pacers allowed at 6 Jours de France? +

Crew access is allowed. Pacers are not allowed.

What is the course record for 6 Jours de France? +

The men's course record is 1036km in 6 days set by Yiannis Kouros in 2005. The women's course record is 883km in 6 days set by Patrycja Bereznowska in 2017.

Are you the organizer? Claim this race

Stay in the loop

New races, course records, and stories from the trail — monthly

← Back to all races