1er REC: 2026 Foreign Legion Triathlon | French Foreign Legion Information

On October 15, 2026, the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) of the French Foreign Legion held its annual Foreign Legion Triathlon. The race is known as the Triathlon du Royal Étranger, after the regiment’s traditional nickname. It ran from La Ciotat, a coastal town east of Marseille, to Camp Carpiagne, the 1er REC’s base near the city.

Organized by the 1er REC, the race is held specifically for non-commissioned officers (NCOs). About 275 competitors took part, including legionnaires from all Legion regiments stationed in mainland France, sailors of the French Navy, personnel from the military medical service, members of the Marseille Naval Fire Battalion (BMPM, the military unit that serves as the city’s fire department), NCOs from infantry and airborne units, and gendarmes (members of France’s national police force with military status). Individuals and teams covered 850 m (930 yards) of swimming, 31 km (19 miles) of cycling, and 6 km (3.7 miles) of running.

The triathlon is still a fairly young event. The race was first officially mentioned in 2018. A November 2024 issue of Képi blanc, the Legion’s magazine, called that year’s race the fifth edition. The count reflects the two years when the race was not held because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The regiment itself refers to this year’s race as the 29th edition, possibly counting earlier internal competitions.

2026 Foreign Legion Triathlon:

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