French Championships 2026 Qualifying Standards
Find below the minimum qualifying times required for the French Championships 2026 for Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km. These standards are defined by age category and gender according to the FFA (French Athletics Federation) standards.
Marathon - Qualifying Standards 2026
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| U23 / Senior / Master 0 | 2:48:00 | 3:38:00 |
| Master 1 | 3:08:00 | 4:02:00 |
| Master 2 | 3:14:00 | 4:08:00 |
| Master 3 | 3:20:00 | 4:14:00 |
| Master 4 | 3:26:00 | 4:20:00 |
| Master 5 | 3:34:00 | 4:26:00 |
| Master 6 | 3:42:00 | 4:32:00 |
| Master 7 | 3:50:00 | 4:40:00 |
| Master 8 | 4:00:00 | 4:50:00 |
| Master 9+ | 4:10:00 | 5:00:00 |
The times shown are the minimum performances to achieve in a certified race to be eligible for the French Marathon Championships 2026.
Half Marathon - Qualifying Standards 2026
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Juniors | 1:21:00 | 1:55:00 |
| U23 | 1:17:00 | 1:50:00 |
| Seniors | 1:15:30 | 1:45:00 |
| Master 0 | 1:17:30 | 1:47:30 |
| Master 1 | 1:20:30 | 1:50:00 |
| Master 2 | 1:22:30 | 1:52:30 |
| Master 3 | 1:27:00 | 1:55:00 |
| Master 4 | 1:32:00 | 1:57:30 |
| Master 5 | 1:40:00 | 2:00:00 |
| Master 6 | 1:44:00 | 2:05:00 |
| Master 7 | 1:50:00 | 2:10:00 |
| Master 8 | 1:55:00 | 2:15:00 |
| Master 9 | 2:00:00 | 2:20:00 |
| Master 10 | 2:15:00 | 2:30:00 |
The times shown are the minimum performances to achieve in a certified race to be eligible for the French Half Marathon Championships 2026.
10km - Qualifying Standards 2026
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| U18 | 38:00 | 47:00 |
| U20 | 37:00 | 46:00 |
| U23 | 35:00 | 44:00 |
| Seniors | 34:15 | 43:00 |
| Master 0 | 35:00 | 44:00 |
| Master 1 | 36:30 | 47:00 |
| Master 2 | 37:00 | 49:00 |
| Master 3 | 39:30 | 50:00 |
| Master 4 | 40:30 | 52:00 |
| Master 5 | 45:00 | 53:00 |
| Master 6 | 47:00 | 56:00 |
| Master 7 | 50:00 | 1:00:00 |
| Master 8 | 53:00 | 1:04:00 |
| Master 9 | 56:00 | 1:07:00 |
| Master 10+ | 1:00:00 | 1:10:00 |
The times shown are the minimum performances to achieve in a certified race to be eligible for the French 10km Championships 2026.
VK Trail 2025/2026 Qualifying Standards
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| U23 | 4.10 | 5.20 |
| Seniors | 4.10 | 5.20 |
| Master 0 | 4.30 | 5.40 |
| Master 1 | 4.50 | 5.50 |
| Master 2 | 5.00 | 6.00 |
| Master 3 | 5.20 | 6.10 |
| Master 4 | 5.40 | 6.20 |
🏔️ Understanding the VK Trail rating (e.g. 4.10)
VK Trail standards are not finish times. They are a performance index calculated by the FFA, based on:
- Your time in a certified trail race
- The difficulty of the course
🔄 How it works in practice
After a FFA-certified trail, you receive a VK Trail rating (e.g. 3.85, 4.22, 5.10…). The faster you are relative to the course difficulty, the lower your rating. If your rating is less than or equal to the required standard, you qualify.
You score
3.95 → qualified (below the standard)You score
4.25 → not qualified (above the standard)
⚠️ Important
A runner can finish in 3 hours on an easy trail and get a good (low) rating, or 5 hours on a very demanding trail and get a high rating. It's your speed relative to the course difficulty that matters, not the raw finish time.
Important Information
- Qualifying period: The standards must generally be achieved within a defined period before the championships (check FFA regulations).
- Certified races: Only performances achieved in races officially certified by the FFA are accepted.
- Age categories: The category is determined by your age on December 31st of the competition year (see age categories page).
- Registration: Achieving the standard does not automatically guarantee registration, which may be subject to other conditions (limited places, registration deadlines, etc.).
- Verification: Make sure to verify official information on the FFA website before any registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my race is FFA certified?
Check the calendar of certified races on the official FFA website. Race organizers also mention the certification in their communications.
Can I achieve my qualifying standard abroad?
Yes, under certain conditions. The race must be internationally recognized (World Athletics label for example). Check specific conditions with the FFA.
What if I'm right at the qualifying standard?
The displayed time must be strictly less than or equal to the required standard. It's recommended to aim for a safety margin of a few seconds.
Do the standards change every year?
The standards may be adjusted from year to year by the FFA. Always check the official standards for the current year.
What type of trail race qualifies for the VK Trail rating?
The VK Trail rating is only awarded on FFA-certified trail races. This includes both short trails and long trails. The list of certified trails is available on the FFA website.
Can I achieve my 10km standard on a hilly course?
No. The 10km standards only apply to FFA-certified road races on compliant courses (limited elevation gain, certified distance). Trail races or courses with significant elevation are not eligible.