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Serge Vigot La Rochelle Marathon – Elvis Cheboi and Betty Chepkemoi Rule the Port City
La Rochelle once again embraced its marathon in all its variety and vibrancy. Kenya’s Elvis Cheboi claimed the men’s title despite a late wrong turn, while fellow Kenyan Betty Chepkemoi lived up to her favorite status in the women’s race. With record chases, bold French strategies, and a buzzing harbor atmosphere, the 34th edition of the Marathon de La Rochelle Serge Vigot delivered a race packed with tension, spectacle, and emotion.
On Sunday, November 30, the 34th running of the Serge Vigot La Rochelle Marathon reminded everyone why it stands among the country’s premier races. Nearly 16,000 runners took part across all events, including about 9,000 in the full marathon—keeping the race firmly in France’s top three, just behind Paris and Nice-Cannes.
The recipe? A fast route weaving between the Old Port and the historic center, a deep elite field, a dramatic wrong turn, ambitious French contenders, and a crowd that turned the harbor into a festival. Whether chasing a PB or simply soaking in the atmosphere, runners found a race that offered emotion, effort, and community in equal measure.
| Betty Chepkemoi: the favorite who never flinched
The women’s marathon, flat as ever over the full 42.195 km, unfolded much as expected. Kenya’s Betty Chepkemoi—already victorious in Vienna earlier this year—ran with poise and discipline, delivering a controlled, mistake-free race. She crossed the line in 2:25:32, a strong performance even if not quite matching her personal best (2:24:14).
Ethiopia’s Alemtsehay Zerihun followed in 2:26:14, with another Kenyan, Vivian Cherotich, completing a powerful all-African podium in 2:26:44.
Among the French contingent, there was impressive depth: Astrid Moreau finished 7th in 2:43:45, Émilie Lasserre 8th in 2:45:58, and Katie Mauthoor 9th in 2:48:39—particularly satisfied to dip back under 2:50 after a year plagued by injury.
| Cheboi wins despite a costly wrong turn and a dramatic finish
The men’s race played out like a screenplay. For 30-year-old Kenyan Elvis Cheboi, everything seemed to line up: relaxed stride, steady pace, and the win well within sight. He stopped the clock at 2:09:31—but not before a heart-stopping moment. In the final stretch, Cheboi was inadvertently guided off course by unclear directions. A volunteer rushed to get him back on track, but precious seconds were lost and a personal-best attempt evaporated. At the finish, Cheboi didn’t hide his frustration: “No one showed me the right way. Someone had to catch me to tell me I wasn’t on the right road. I wanted to push, to break my record… I’m a bit disappointed.”
Despite the mishap, the victory stands—a reminder that in marathon racing, every sign, every turn matters. Behind him, compatriot Kiprop Kimutai secured second place in 2:14:10, pleased with his effort: “I gave everything… I feel good, I’m happy with my race.” Another Kenyan, Wesley Ledama, rounded out the top three in 2:15:29.
| A Frenchman in the top 5 and a united group effort
The top French performance came from 30-year-old Antoine Villechenaud (Grand Angoulême Athlétisme), who finished a superb 5th in 2:18:08—nine minutes faster than his first marathon, also in La Rochelle four years ago. His strategy was clear: stay patient in the pack, wait for the right moment, and surge around kilometer 31–32.
“We had a great group of French guys and two excellent pacers,” he said. “I wanted to wait, enjoy the crowd. I started my marathon journey here four years ago, and I’m finishing this cycle today. Sharing this with my friends, my family, my training partners Benjamin, Théo and Michael—it’s huge. The crowd was amazing again. Thank you, La Rochelle!”
But Antoine Villechenaud didn’t live that time alone. He talks about a collective, a training brotherhood: “We run together all year. They’re more than training partners — they’re brothers. Sharing this means everything.” Around him, the French pack showed once again how deep it is: François Pautret (6th, 2:18:42), Théo Moussu (7th, 2:18:43), and Benjamin Grenetier (8th, 2:18:56). The latter, at 44 years old, proved that passion and consistency make for powerful allies.
| 10K, relay, wheelchair races: La Rochelle turns into a festival
The marathon wasn’t the only attraction. The 10K, the Duo relay, and the wheelchair race filled the day with variety and shared spirit. On the 10K, Théo Rageot won in 30:33, lowering the course record by 30 seconds (previously 31:03). Romain Faye (31:07) and Guillaume Belgy (31:08) followed in a tight finish.
The women’s 10K was dominated by Camille Ploteau in 35:19—another course record—ahead of Anouk Sire (36:35) and Marine Echevin (37:27). “I came to break my PB and go under 35 minutes,” said Ploteau. “The atmosphere was fantastic—you can’t have everything!”
The Duo relay stayed true to its spirit of camaraderie, with “Le Mouillour” winning in 2:27:27. The wheelchair race, which doubled as the French Para-Athletics Half Marathon Championships, showcased determination at its finest, crowning Pascal Vallet in 1:01:57 ahead of Willy Couderc (1:14:49) and Djilali Meriem-Benziane (1:04:54).
Beyond the podiums and times, the La Rochelle Marathon remains a celebration of community. Seeing Antoine Villechenaud and his training partners finish together, lifted by a passionate crowd, was a reminder that running here is more than a personal challenge—it’s a shared moment. From elites to amateurs, from 10K sprinters to wheelchair athletes, from the harbor to the old town streets, La Rochelle once again proved it knows how to blend passion, solidarity, and a touch of joyful chaos. A true end-of-year classic.
✔ Find all the results from the 2025 edition of the La Rochelle Serge Vigot Marathon
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
