Lyon Urban Trail by night, Lyon's other Festival of Lights

On November 1, 1953, the Fourvière Metal Tower closed its doors to the public. The first day of November was also the last day for visits.

On November 1st, 2025, there won't be a chance to climb to the top of the 372-meter, 2,100-ton metal structure, but there will be plenty of elevation gain for the nearly 9,000 enthusiasts who will be taking part in the Lyon Urban Trail by Night. Why? Because Lyon is beautiful at night.

"The other Festival of Lights" drums Extra Sports, organizer of the daytime concept (2007, LUT) and nighttime concept (2014, LUT by Night).

The principle is simple: you put on your sneakers, plug in your headlamp and go for a night run of 10, 20 or 30 kilometers. The route includes sections through nature or even forests, in locations that will open specifically for the event, such as the Vaise fort, the Sainte Marie school park, the André Alix university campus, or the Sainte Foy adventure park.

More than 9,000 runners, a record, will take part in one of the four races (10 km hike, 10 km time trial, 20 km time trial and 30 km time trial), in the ancient theatre of Fourvière.

How can such success be explained? "It's true that there's a real enthusiasm," acknowledges Michel Sorine, CEO of Extra Sports. "Plus, urban trail running is extremely simple. It's accessible by metro, you can come by bike, it's within the city limits, it's very easy." It's part of this major societal movement of city dwellers who want to do sports at a lower cost and close to home.

For those unfamiliar with the sport, the Lyon Urban Trail has absolutely nothing to do with the Run in Lyon, which took place on October 5th . The principle of trail running, even in an urban setting, is to offer elevation gain.

The 10-kilometer hike (not timed), for example, is a concentrated urban trail run with 300 meters of elevation gain, the 563 steps of the Nicolas de Lange ascent (to reach the "Eiffel Tower" ) to descend, the Rue des Tourelles and Rue du Télégraphe to climb, and the Rue du Bas Loyasse. A good, challenging run.

➢ 30 km timed - 1000 m elevation gain. Dive headfirst into the world of Urban Trail. A reasonable distance but plenty of elevation gain. 30 kilometers, 1000 m of elevation gain, a truly beautiful run, singletrack, lots of steps, discoveries around Sainte-Foy-Les-Lyon and Oullins, a magical atmosphere and finish… Start: 6:30 pm.

➢ 20 km timed race - 700 m elevation gain. A concentrated urban trail run: 1 hill, 700 meters of elevation gain. Start time: 8:45 PM

➢ 10 km timed race or open hike - 300 m elevation gain/loss. A concentrated urban trail run: 1 hill, 300 meters of elevation gain. Start times: 7:00 PM and 7:25 PM