#MarathonDeLaRoute

The Marathon de la Route was one of the toughest endurance competitions in the history of motorsport. Created in Belgium in 1931, it began as a long-distance rally known as the Liège–Rome–Liège (and later Liège–Sofia–Liège), a punishing road event that covered thousands of kilometers across Europe. It tested not only speed but also stamina, navigation, and mechanical durability under real road conditions. In the mid-1960s, as road rallies became increasingly difficult to organize, the event evolved into a closed-circuit endurance race held at the Nürburgring. From 1965 onward, the Marathon de la Route was staged on the Nordschleife, first over 82 hours and later extending to an extraordinary 84-hour format. Teams of three drivers shared the wheel, facing days and nights of relentless driving through rain, fog, and darkness. Manufacturers such as Porsche, NSU, Audi, and Triumph used the Marathon as a proving ground for endurance and reliability. Though less publicized than the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the event gained legendary status among endurance specialists: a true ordeal for both men and machines, bridging the heroic era of trans-European rallies and the modern age of long-distance racing.

We'll tell the story of this event on the occasion of its anniversary or when it will reach a sufficient number of cars.

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The census of all the cars related to this topic is in progress.