Vredestein 20 km de Paris: Étienne Daguinos, Nicolas Navarro and Manon Trapp ready to make the capital pulse
Their playground? The city. Their weapons? Stride, patience, and that touch of madness that makes the difference when the asphalt starts to sizzle. Étienne Daguinos, Nicolas Navarro, Manon Trapp and Mathilde Sénéchal are set to turn Paris into a racetrack for a day, as the Vredestein 20 km de Paris returns this Sunday, October 12, for its 47th edition. The event brings together the best of French distance running: sharp elites, bold up-and-comers, and familiar faces who know every bend of the course by heart.
Before Parisians enjoy the last grapes of Montmartre’s harvest, the capital itself will transform into a giant playground for runners in the 20K of Paris. Mixing performance, pleasure, and discovery, the race offers a fresh way to see the city — from grand boulevards to lively riversides and iconic parks. With shoes hitting the pavement and lungs matching the city’s Sunday rhythm, it’s set to be another running festival in motion.
| A blend of tradition, modernity… and big names
The course remains true to its DNA: technical, demanding, and full of character. The opening kilometers wind through the leafy paths of the Bois de Boulogne before plunging straight into the heart of Paris. Every corner becomes an invitation to look up — at Haussmann façades, contemporary architecture, and that unmistakable urban energy.
This year’s elite field is particularly strong. It features international names well-known across Europe’s road-running scene, alongside the cream of the French crop. Many of them are half marathon and 10K specialists ready to test themselves over this tricky 20K. Their presence ensures a genuine show — one where every refreshment zone, every twist of the route, could bring a change of leader, spurred on by the crowd’s cheers.
| Daguinos, Navarro, Roudolff-Levisse: the battle of the big guns
The 2025 men’s field looks like a national championship final. With Yann Schrub missing, the race is wide open. At the top of the bill: Étienne Daguinos, the natural favorite. Two years after his first taste of the distance (7th in 58:28), the French 10K record holder (27:04) arrives sharper than ever. Fresh off a 14th-place finish in the 5,000 m at the Tokyo Worlds, the Bordeaux native embodies the new wave of French distance running — fast, fearless, and hungry for more.
Right behind him, Nicolas Navarro remains the model of consistency. With a 2:05:52 personal best in the marathon and another strong showing in Valencia, the Aix-based runner knows how to pace himself perfectly. If the front pack blows up early, Navarro could be the one to pick up the pieces. Then there’s Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse, reigning French half marathon champion and third here last year in 58:09. The Rouen native clinched a commanding victory at the inaugural Run Set & Match this Sunday, October 5 and he’s quietly confident and clearly aiming higher this time.
Behind these three, the depth of the French contingent is impressive: Faustin Guigon, fresh off his Paris-Versailles victory, the elegant Florian Carvalho, Clément Leduc, Freddy Guimard, Nicolas Vitre, and Valentin Witz — a dense, talented group ready to light up the Parisian streets. And because no Paris race is complete without some international spice, keep an eye on Ethiopia’s Nigasa Lelisa (1:01:12 half marathon PB), Kenya’s Leonard Bor (1:01:45) and Stephen Ogari, Spain’s Saïd Mechaal, Norway’s Awet Nftalem Kibrab, and Switzerland’s Morgan Le Guen. A world-class cast — fit for the Eiffel Tower backdrop.
| Trapp, Sénéchal, Quemener: the trio aiming to shine in Paris
The women’s race looks like a mini French championship in itself. Manon Trapp, last year’s winner in 1:04:44 — the second-fastest time ever on this course — is back with one clear goal: to chase the event record of 1:04:30. The Alsace-born runner, national cross-country champion and a standout on the half marathon, continues to impress with her consistency and composure.
At her side, Anaïs Quemener makes a spirited return after maternity leave. The 2023 French marathon champion and bronze medalist here that same year (1:06:59) is back in great shape and hungry for competition. Her fighting spirit and mental toughness could easily propel her onto the podium.
Also worth watching: Floriane Hot, a double 100 km world champion, dropping down from the ultra distances for a quick, explosive challenge — an ambitious and refreshing gamble.
Mathilde Sénéchal, French marathon champion (2:37:52) and eighth here last year (1:09:19), will likely push the pace early on, as will Clémence Calvin, the 2024 Marseille-Cassis winner. Ophélie Serra-Boxberger, French 10,000 m champion, and Inès Ducantelle, winner of the 2025 Nantes Half Marathon, could also stir things up in the pack. Not to forget Célia Tabet, 2025 French short cross-country champion in Challans, and Salomé Brun, just off the podium last year (1:08:05) with a solid 1:12:05 half marathon this season.
But beware of the international threat: Ethiopia’s Bikile Gudina (1:05:54) and a strong Kenyan trio — Winny Chepkwemoi, Vivian Cheruiyot (not the Olympic champion but still a 1:08:16 half marathoner), and Schlastica Jepkemboi — all have the potential to shake up the French favorites. Expect a tactical and thrilling battle from start to finish.
| €3,000 bonus for a new course record
With such a stacked field, the race promises fireworks. Last year, Yann Schrub crossed the finish line in 58:07, just two seconds behind Ethiopian winner Hayimro Yele (58:05). On the women’s side, Manon Trapp took the victory in 1:04:44— a world-class performance on a demanding course. The bar has been set high.
A €3,000 bonus will reward any new course record: 57:19 for men and 1:04:30 for women. In addition, a special bonus will go to the top French athletes finishing inside the top 10 — a little extra motivation for the home favorites.
| Para-athlete elites make their Paris debut
For the first time in its history, the Vredestein 20 km de Paris will feature wheelchair racing elites, taking off at 8:50 AM and delivering a spectacle as intense as the able-bodied race. Eight top-level athletes from France and across Europe (five men and three women) will make up this unprecedented field.
On the men’s side, Julien Casoli, six-time Paris Marathon winner, returns with his sights set on dominating the course. He will face stiff competition from Thibault Daurat, newly crowned world vice-champion over 5000 m, fellow French athlete Ali Mehiaioui, Briton Illias Zghoundi, and Dutch racer Lito King Anker, promising a thrilling showdown.
Among the women, the international field boasts both talent and diversity. Nadège Monchalin makes her comeback, joined by Thiphaine Marescaux, while Irish athlete Shauna Bocquet, who finished 8th in the 5000 m at the Paris Paralympics, brings her power. Italian Rita Cuccuru, winner of the 2024 Paris Marathon, and Spaniard Carmen Gimenez, second at the 2025 Paris Marathon, complete this high-caliber women’s field.
| Live TV: Paris in motion
For those following from the couch, the race will be broadcast live on Ici Paris Île-de-France (formerly France 3) from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and streamed on Stadion Facebook and via the Chrono-Course app.
| Runners chasing both challenge and joy
The Vredestein 20 km de Paris attracts an incredibly diverse crowd: elite athletes chasing fast times, regular runners testing their limits, and others simply soaking up the atmosphere. This mix creates a special energy on the streets of Paris — part competition, part celebration. Cheering crowds, music along the route, and thousands of synchronized footsteps turn the city into one giant festival of running.
For those eyeing personal bests, the course offers a mix of opportunities and tests: flat stretches through central Paris to settle into a rhythm, followed by strategic inclines that demand both strength and pacing smarts. Every kilometer is an experience — and crossing that finish line in the French capital is always unforgettable.
| A race with the spirit of its time
Beyond the athletic feats, the Vredestein 20 km de Paris embodies a modern spirit. The organizers emphasize sustainability, introducing measures to reduce the event’s environmental footprint, and promote inclusion, welcoming runners of all backgrounds — from juniors to athletes with disabilities. It’s a race built on shared values: joy, respect, and a love for the city itself.
Paris, the City of Light — and of running — reveals once again its dynamic, unifying face. Whether chasing a record, a personal milestone, or simply the thrill of the experience, participants come together in one collective motion.
Far from being just another race, the Vredestein 20 km de Paris has become a true celebration of running, energy, and the beauty of the capital seen through a runner’s eyes.
✔ For all the practical details — start times, bib pick-up, live tracking, and course map — check the official Vredestein 20 km de Paris website. Lace up. Paris is waiting.
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
