A Magnificent Running Weekend in Saint-Pierre-la-Mer with Perfect Weather. The second edition of this event exceeded all expectations! With perfect weather — neither too hot nor too cold, and just a gentle breeze to keep things fresh — this year’s race built on the success of last year’s inaugural event and took it to new heights.

Back in 2023, we had a feeling this would become something special, and this weekend proved it! With nearly 3,000 race bibs handed out (close to 1,000 for the half marathon alone), runners showed up in full force, celebrating a race that’s not only festive and welcoming but set against a breathtaking backdrop.

Saturday evening kicked off with two races: a family-friendly 5K in partnership with Refuge Arpan, the main sponsor of the event, and a 10K to cap off the night, leaving everyone ready for a good night’s rest before the big day. Bright and early the next morning, 120 volunteers gathered, sharing a coffee in the picturesque village by the Mediterranean before the marathon and half marathon kicked off. Both courses were even faster than last year, perfect for those aiming for personal bests.

But what truly stood out for the brave runners were the postcard-worthy views that accompanied them every step of the way. It’s a rare privilege to enjoy your favorite sport in such a stunning and preserved setting.

As for the results, the 5K saw Ines Laurin and Thomas Desbarbieu as the fastest finishers, while Maël Laurent dominated the 10K, with Floriane Julien pushing herself to the limit for a strong finish.

On the marathon, Patrick Vidal claimed victory after a tough battle with Patrice Bruel, crossing the line in 2h54′. Patrice Bruel, celebrating his 159th 24km race, pushed hard but couldn’t quite catch Vidal. Valérie Tixier, known as the “island lady,” celebrated her first marathon win with a time of 3h15′.

Lastly, in the half marathon, which saw the largest field of 900 runners, Anna Wasik — last year’s marathon champion — triumphed again, finishing in 1h23′. Meanwhile, Nicolas Fernandez (though not the reigning champion, but his namesake) took the men’s title with a time of 1h14’30”, closely followed by Romain Adam in 1h15’08”.