The Glagla Race is a paddle competition that takes place in January on the Lake Annecy. This unusual race brings together more than 700 participants every winter. It is also a stage of the Alpine Lakes Tour.
The Glagla Race, an unusual paddle competition in Annecy
“Paddling in the middle of winter, under the snow, in the Alps with water at 4°c….” The Glagla Race is a paddle competition held every January on Lake Annecy. Over three days, it gathers more than 700 stand-up paddle enthusiasts from 25 different countries. The start is from the bay of Talloires. Generally, Friday is reserved for activities, conferences, and paddle yoga. Competitions take place on Saturday. Sunday is reserved in case the weather is not good the day before.
1 event, 5 races
During the Glagla Race, several races take place. There are five of them:
- The long distance. Competitors must cover 15 km on Lake Annecy.
- The short distance. Its length is 6.5 km.
- The very short distance. This 3 km event is accessible to all levels.
- The technical event. This course requires 4 laps and 3 landings.
- The Dragon Race. This free race is done in teams of four over 800m.
The Alpine Lakes Tour
The Alpine Lakes Tour is a competition that takes place over several stages. The races are held on Lake Annecy, Lake Léman, and Lake Bourget, as well as on smaller lakes like Lake Tignes. In 2013, competitors even had the opportunity to compete on Lake des Confins, near La Clusaz.
While some races are reserved for seasoned athletes, others are accessible to everyone. Competitions are even organized for children. Furthermore, it is not necessary to participate in all the races. You can choose to take part in one stage rather than another based on your preferences and availability.
Practical information to enjoy the event
If you do not have a paddle or are unable to transport it to Talloires but wish to participate in the Glagla Race, solutions are available. While it can be complex to find a rental service open at this time, the event organizers have thought of everything. A rental service is offered directly on-site. A fee is required. It is also possible to train with the paddles before the race. These are inflatable paddles, sometimes quite old and repaired, but most are stable and suitable for the Glagla Race.
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Getting to the Glagla Race
To get to the Glagla Race, several options are available to you. By car, for example. Feel free to prioritize carpooling, especially if you know other participants in the race. Another option is to take the train to Annecy and finish the journey by taxi or by using public transport. Bus line 60 departs from the bus station and serves several points in Talloires.
Where to stay around Talloires for the Glagla Race?
If you have not yet booked your accommodation for the Glagla Race, there is still time to do so. We suggest discovering some accommodations near Talloires and the start of the competition.
The Hotel Le Mouton Bleu
The Hotel Le Mouton Bleu is located at 70 chemin de la Ruaz, in Talloires. The accommodation offers private parking, as well as a hot tub, sauna, and spa. You will have direct access to the lake from Le Mouton Bleu.
The Hotel du Lac
The Hotel du Lac is located on rue André Theuriet. It is only 100 meters from Lake Annecy. Parking is available for guests. Some rooms have a balcony.
The Domaine des Écuries
The Domaine des Écuries offers several furnished apartments for rent. They all have a terrace and the kitchens are fully equipped. The accommodations are located at 305 chemin des Gouttes.
The 2025 edition
After 10 years of success, the Glagla Race will not take place in 2025 due to the accumulated fatigue of the organizers and the decrease in financial support. Although the event attracted thousands of participants and made history in SUP with strong media visibility, organizing a race in winter under such extreme conditions has become increasingly difficult and exhausting over the years. Volunteers, partners, and local authorities have gradually reduced their commitment, while criticism, especially on social media, has intensified.
A break is therefore necessary to allow the organizers to recover from this challenging 10th edition, with the promise to return in 2026.
Previous editions
The 2024 edition
The Glagla Race 2024, took place from January 19 to 21 and celebrated the 10th anniversary of the race! That year, 700 people gathered from 25 different countries, including some from the United States, both amateurs and competitors.
The 2024 results of the various races are available here.
The 2023 edition
The 2023 edition of the Glagla Race took place from January 20 to 22. This unusual race brought together nearly 830 stand-up paddle enthusiasts from 31 different countries. The results of the 2023 edition are available online on the GlaGla Race website.
