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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

Score Breakdown

Distance
15/25
Elevation
0/25
Terrain
5/15
Weather
3.9/15
DNF Rate
3/10
Format
0/10

Based on distance, vertical gain per km, terrain difficulty, weather extremes, historical DNF rate, and race format.

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.

Experience ratings are based on runner reports, race reviews, community feedback, and editorial assessment. Scenery reflects the visual quality of the course. Organization covers aid stations, logistics, and communication. Community measures the atmosphere, inclusivity, and camaraderie among runners.

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)

Female Runners

20%

Countries Represented

25

International Runners

70%

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

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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.

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