Sedan–Charleville: Olympians Félix Bour and Méline Rollin claim victory
The Sedan–Charleville race, the oldest city-to-city road race in Europe, took place on October 5 for its 105th edition. This Ardennes classic, stretching 23.6 kilometers, saw the expected favorites take the win: Olympic marathoners Félix Bour and Méline Rollin. Battling strong winds, they lived up to their status at the front of a field of 3,600 runners who took on the challenge just a few miles from the Belgian border.
Sedan-Charleville is one of those legendary races on France’s road-running calendar, dating back to 1906. This long-standing tradition takes place every first Sunday of October in the Grand Est region. Once again, crowds of runners came out to pound the pavement along the D764 highway, in the heart of the Ardennes — a race where history and running come together.
| Northern French Marathoners in Top Form
Victory went to the Lorraine-born marathoner Félix Bour (Racing Multi Athlon). The defending champion, who represented France in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, had to battle alone against an invisible yet formidable opponent — the wind. With gusts exceeding 50 km/h (31 mph), the conditions were far from ideal. Still, the favorite never faltered, taking control of the race as early as the fourth kilometer. Showing his dominance, the athlete coached by Stéphane Valenti even used the event as part of his marathon training, wrapping up a 212-kilometer week. His focus is now firmly set on the New York City Marathon, scheduled for November 2.
Given the weather conditions, the course record of 1:10:04, set in 2017 by Rwanda’s Félicien Muhitira, was out of reach. Félix Bour, a regular on the international scene, completed the 23.6 km in 1:12:40 (after running 1:11:11 in 2024), finishing nearly two minutes ahead of runner-up Clément Lhotellerie (Charleville Mézières Athlétisme, 1:14:41). The local athlete — the 2015 French cyclo-cross champion and a former professional cyclist until 2013 — had succeeded Bour as champion last year. Nicolas Dalmasso, coach of the Zoom Volt Runners, rounded out the podium with a time of 1:18:27.
On the women’s side, the race followed a similar script. Olympian Méline Rollin (Grac Athlétisme) claimed an uncontested victory in her second appearance at this classic event. Battling strong winds and a hilly final stretch over the last two kilometers, she nevertheless dominated the field. Recently back from injury, the KIPRUN athlete finished 21st overall with a time of 1:24:59.
For Méline Rollin, who hails from the Ardennes region, this win was a long-time goal — and a particularly meaningful one, as the course passed through her hometown of Nouvion-sur-Meuse. Alice Michel (Zoom Volt Runners) took second place in 1:28:00, closely followed by Zoé Hamel (Grac Athlétisme) in 1:28:12.
| Para-athletes in the spotlight
The Sedan–Charleville organizers strive to make the event inclusive by welcoming para-athletes to compete. Ali Mehiaoui (Handi Racing Club) took the win in 1:09:49, closely followed by his club teammate Simon Germano with 1:09:50. Vincent Bertrand (CDH 08) completed the podium in 2:13:18.
| An event steeped in history
Running the oldest city-to-city race in Europe is an experience worth having. Over the years, many renowned figures in athletics have tested themselves on this legendary course — among them Alain Mimoun, who ran it in 1959, three years after winning Olympic marathon gold in Melbourne. The Frenchman completed the race in 1:18:14.
In the 1980s, the event regularly drew more than a thousand enthusiasts and has been part of the French Athletics Federation’s international calendar since 1986. When the first edition was held in 1906, 82 participants lined up at the start, with only half reaching the finish line. The inaugural winner, Lucien Daix, a blacksmith from Wadelincourt, covered the distance in 1:33:00. It wasn’t until 1975 that the race opened to women, with Danièle Brouart taking the first women’s title.
Today, the event brings together over 3,600 runners and 350 volunteers — and it shows no sign of slowing down. Each year, the start is given on Rue Philippoteaux in Sedan, a town rich in history and art, best known for its imposing fortress, nicknamed “the Giant of Sedan.” Classified as a historical monument, the fortress is the largest in Europe, covering 35,000 square meters.
After leaving the city, runners cross the Ardennes plains, lined with World War II bunkers and remnants of the Maginot Line fortifications. The route passes through several villages — Donchery, Dom-le-Mesnil, Les Ayvelles, and Mézières — before finishing in the heart of Charleville-Mézières, on the picturesque Place Ducale.
For its 105th edition, the legendary Sedan–Charleville once again drew crowds of passionate runners. More than just a sporting event, the 23.6-kilometer route connecting the two towns offers a journey through centuries of Ardennes history. This unique race delights runners of all ages and abilities, buoyed by the enthusiasm of the local spectators. Despite the often unforgiving weather, this windy edition produced some truly impressive podium finishes.
✔ Find the full results of the 105th edition of the Sedan–Charleville race.
Emma BERT
Journaliste
