In the past, the Marathon of Lorraine was the big Metz race, the oldest road races in Lorraine. 

In 1973, the SMEC Athletics has created the International Marathon of Lorraine, which at the time was the second French race (Marathon de neuf-Brisach, French first marathon, excluding the national championship, was founded in 1971). Playing a pioneering role, Metz quickly became the great spring race in France and even in Western Europe. Marathon de Paris did not appear until 1976. 

  In the first year, a half marathon race cohabiting with the marathon and it was so until 1993 when the marathon disappeared, victim of the success of the half marathon. Indeed, the coexistence of two events on the same day, was at the expense of the marathon, which was reduced to 300 riders, while the half marathon reached in 3500. 

The disappearance of the marathon created a vacuum in the Far East where, after the renunciation of Nancy and Strasbourg, Marathon no longer exists. 
 
That is now over a year, that the idea to organize a marathon in Metz, was presented by the municipality in an initial meeting with key local and regional officials. At the outset, the project has met a large audience because it fulfilled a need identified Metz pioneer of popular race, had to have his run. 

 The project of the municipality is to make this event an opportunity to explore the city through its architectural heritage, began to take shape under the new course at the half marathon in 2009, traced the heart of the city and who has 2100 riders gathered. 
 
Metz Marathon Association, custodian of municipal project, has embarked on this challenge through a structured organizing committee, whose primary concern is to put feet on a demonstration at the service of the runners, providing them with security , comfort, and optimal performance conditions. It does not compete with large mass events means the big cities, but to propose a different race, friendly, that serves the image of the City. The concern is largely involve the population by creating a strong animation in the city. 
 
To do this, the race will borrow the neighborhoods on the outskirts of Metz, and ends at the foot of the cathedral, the historic heart of the city. Animations of all kinds will accompany the event: conferences on running, marathon village interventions with sports personalities, music along the race ... etc. ... 

The organizers also wish to promote as part of this race, respect for the environment, creating a "clean race", minimizing the impact of waste. 
 
In conclusion, this is to create a race with high specificity around the idea of discovering Metz by running to many athletes from elsewhere, while creating a festive event in the heart of the city.