© ATHLE.ch
Corrida Bulloise 2025: Valentin Bresc and Nicolas-Marie Daru Crash the Party
The elements went wild, and the town of Bulle lit up for its annual “Corrida” on Saturday, November 15, with more than 5,000 runners braving the storm. Kenya dominated the Elite race (8.13 km), as Winnie Jeptarus won in 19:05 and Boniface Kibiwott stormed through in 22:55. France’s Valentin Bresc, Nicolas-Marie Daru and Gatien Airiau all fought their way into the men’s top 10, while Nafissa Hannesen and Caroline Chaverot delivered strong performances in the women’s races. On the local side, Swiss athletes Fiona Héritier and Nisa Camelo fired up the home podiums. Between records and a charged atmosphere, the canton of Fribourg witnessed an unforgettable day.
Bulle hosted its 48th Corrida under a sky intent on adding some spice. The Corrida Bulloise marks the opening of the Swiss winter racing series, followed by Geneva’s Escalade Race on December 7 and the Sion Christmas Race on December 13—three iconic street races that will determine the 2025 “King and Queen of the Cobblestones.” For the first time in its history, the race topped 5,000 registered runners, a symbolic milestone that hints at an epic 50th anniversary in 2027.
Despite what organisers called a “record-breaking edition,” rain, wind and cold couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of runners or spectators. The morning belonged to the kids, who enjoyed spring-like sunshine for the opening categories. By afternoon, the setting had shifted completely: light rain, swirling gusts and carpets of dead leaves turning corners into slippery traps. The elites barely flinched—well, almost. Winnie Jeptarus nearly slipped in the very first turn but recovered instantly, then went on to break the women’s course record by one-tenth of a second, stopping the clock at 19:05, bettering the long-standing 2006 mark. The Kenyan athlete also pocketed the 5,000 Swiss francs awarded for the record—a small fortune with golden value in this context.
| Kenya Takes Center Stage
Kenya didn’t hold back. Jeptarus reclaimed the title and topped the women’s standings, while Boniface Kibiwott—already the winner in 2019 and 2023—laid down the law on the men’s side with a superb 22:55. The women’s podium was a full Kenyan sweep: Sylvia Changeiwo (19:33) and Jackline Chepkoech (19:42) followed closely. The race’s traditional trophies—the cow and bull figurines—returned to exactly where they usually end up: in Kenyan hands. Behind the trio, French athletes tried to animate the chase but missed out on the podium. Laure Toullier (39th, 22:32), Pauline Le Brizoual (41st, 22:54) and Audrey Delaye (45th, 23:12) fought hard on this demanding circuit.
| Les Français dans le feu de l’action
The men’s top 10 mixed international firepower with local strength. Twenty-two-year-old Frenchman Valentin Bresc, a double European U23 medallist, delivered a brilliant second place in 23:03. He wasn’t the only one shining. Nicolas-Marie Daru—37-year-old French steeplechaser from Isère and seventh at the 2025 World Championships 3000 m steeple final in Tokyo—held onto third place with 23:07, proving his ability to contend with the African stars. Savoyard runner Gatien Airiau finished seventh in 23:35, his wide smile telling the story of the effort he had poured in.
The Swiss contingent held their ground too. Morgan Le Guen, a Swiss finalist at the Rome 2024 European Championships over 5000 m, claimed fourth (23:15), while Maxime Fluri followed in eighth (23:39), both showcasing great consistency across the eight demanding loops.
| Swiss Women Rule the 8.3 km
On the women’s 8.3 km race, home athletes stole the show. Fiona Héritier won in 30:54, ahead of Mathilde Grossrieder (32:09) and Nadia Sudan (32:10). French runner Nafissa Hannesen, based in Marly, delivered an excellent fourth place in 33:24, proving how tight Franco-Swiss competition can be.
The 6.3 km race was nearly a Swiss sweep. Nisa Camelo (23:31), Emma Dettwiler (23:35), Ludivine Gay-Crosier (23:36) and Sarah Bugnon (23:55) locked down the top four spots. France’s Caroline Chaverot secured eighth place in 24:58. These shorter races gave younger athletes and veteran runners alike a chance to shine in a lively, supportive atmosphere where every street corner echoed with encouragement. The Corrida Bulloise continues to strike the perfect balance between international prestige and the celebration of local talent—giving the event a unique identity.
✔ Find all the results from the 2025 Corrida Bulloise
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
