Lazarus Lake comes to France: meet the Barkley Marathons legend
From August 22 to 29, 2026, trail diehards have a date with a true icon. At Raidlight’s invitation, Lazarus Lake is heading out on an exceptional tour of France, with public hikes and screenings of his documentary in Chamonix.
A particularly rare visit from the man behind two of modern ultra-endurance’s most iconic formats: the Barkley Marathons and Big’s Backyard Ultra.
Hike with Lazarus Lake, a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Rather than a standard talk or a signing session, Raidlight is offering something true to Laz’s spirit: share a few kilometers on the trails, take the time to chat, and hear the stories of a man who’s left a deep mark on trail running history. No stopwatch, no bib, no rankings. These hikes are all about meeting people and enjoying the moment, with deliberately small groups.
Four meet-ups are on the schedule:
August 23 : Lyon
August 24 : Hauterives, around the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval
August 25 : Chartreuse Backyard Experience in Saint-Laurent-du-Pont
August 28 : Chamonix
Participation is free, registration required.
A Chamonix premiere screening of the documentary
The highlight of the week comes on Thursday, August 27, when Chamonix’s Vox cinema will host three screenings of the documentary devoted to Lazarus Lake. Directed by Paul Mellor, the 52-minute film traces Laz’s journey, his philosophy, and the origins of the events that made his name around the world. Each screening will be followed by a Q&A with Lazarus Lake, as he dives into the behind-the-scenes of the Barkley Marathons, his take on adventure, and answers questions from the audience.
The August 27 schedule:
2:00 p.m. : screening followed by Q&A
4:00 p.m. : press screening followed by Q&A
7:00 p.m. : screening followed by Q&A
A long-standing bond between Raidlight and Lazarus Lake
This visit also reflects a long friendship between Benoît Laval and Lazarus Lake. The founder of Raidlight has taken on the Barkley Marathons four times, an adventure that has strongly influenced several projects developed in the Chartreuse, including the Chartreuse Terminorum and one of the first Backyard Ultras held in France. That closeness helps explain Laz’s trip to France this summer and the choice of a format built around sharing time with fellow enthusiasts.
A can’t-miss date for trail running fans
It’s rare to meet Lazarus Lake outside the United States. This French tour is a unique chance to talk with the man who has profoundly shaped the world of ultra-trail.
Walking a few kilometers by his side, getting a look behind the curtain at the Barkley Marathons, or simply hearing his singular view of adventure should make this week one of the standout moments of the trail summer.