© Semi-Marathon du Finistère
Finistère Half Marathon: Jean Péron, Erwan Richard, Marion Haas… a showdown at the edge of Brittany
Wind-lashed cliffs, granite roads and a salty sea breeze everywhere you turn. This Sunday, the Crozon Peninsula will host the very first edition of the Finistère Half Marathon, a brand-new race that has already generated serious buzz. The half marathon sold out within hours, the 10 km is still open, and a strong elite field—led by Jean Péron, Erwan Richard, Jean-Baptiste Olier and Marion Haas—sets the stage for what promises to be a demanding and spectacular Breton debut.
Finistère was missing a race that told its story beyond postcard clichés. A race capable of blending windswept cliffs, rugged roads, character-filled villages and that unmistakable Breton hospitality—quiet, genuine, lived rather than advertised. On Sunday, February 22, that gap will be filled with the opening chapter of the Finistère Half Marathon, right in the heart of the iconic Crozon Peninsula.
The response from runners says it all. In just a few hours, all 1,000 half-marathon bibs were snapped up—unheard of for a first edition. In total, more than 4,000 participants are expected across the half marathon (21.1 km) and the 10 km. There will be no kids’ races this year, as the organizers explained that “the safety conditions required to meet our standards and values are not fully in place.”
Supporting the runners, more than 250 volunteers—easy to spot in their bright yellow rain jackets—will form the backbone of the event. Not a detail. A statement.
| A spectacular journey between sky and sea
The routes immediately set the tone—and the scenery doesn’t cheat. The race crosses the Crozon Peninsula, one of Brittany’s natural gems, nestled inside the Armorique Regional Natural Park. Sheer cliffs, newly built cycle paths, more technical sections and endless ocean views: every kilometer tells a story.
The half marathon starts at Cidrerie Rozavern in Telgruc-sur-Mer—hard to imagine a more local starting line. After an early climb around kilometer three, the ocean suddenly opens up below. A descent leads into Crozon, followed by a wilder, almost trail-like section, before crossing a protected Natura 2000 area near Lake Kerloc’h. The final stretch into Camaret-sur-Mer delivers a full-throttle downhill finish to the harbor, where both races share a finish line facing the Atlantic.
The 10 km, more accessible but far from insignificant, starts at Crozon’s sports hall—a subtle nod to Breton history with the nearby Nominoë Hall. An ideal format for discovering the event without missing out on the scenery.
| Demanding routes… but faster than they look
Don’t be fooled by the Breton profile. Yes, the course will test your legs. Yes, the wind may have a say. But the numbers will catch the attention of time chasers:
➜ 10 km: +54 m / −119 m
➜ Half marathon: +149 m / −194 m
With long downhill sections and a varied layout, the course could reward those who come well prepared.
| Strong favorites in the half marathon
For this inaugural edition, on a course where you grit your teeth on the climbs before letting loose, the elite field carries a distinctly Breton—and remarkably balanced—flavor.
At the front, Jean Péron (Stade Brestois Athlétisme) arrives with the reputation of a metronome. A consistent marathon runner known for handling rolling terrain, he’s the kind of athlete who knows how to wait for the right moment. On a wind-exposed course, that race intelligence could prove decisive.
Alongside him, Erwan Richard (Quimper Athlétisme) embodies the Breton middle-distance school: tough, durable, and rarely unsettled when the pace rises. Used to character races, the runner from Quimper knows that on courses like this, wins are often earned through strategy rather than raw speed alone.
Similar expectations surround Jean-Baptiste Olier, also from Stade Brestois Athlétisme. An aggressive runner comfortable at high tempo, he could take advantage of the faster sections. With a downhill finish into Camaret, the course suits his profile perfectly.
Behind this trio, Elie Hodzic (Triathl’Aix) brings a different dimension. A triathlete by background, accustomed to long efforts and windy conditions, he has a rare ability to sustain high intensity over time. On a demanding course, that kind of profile can surprise. Finally, Théo Chenu (Stade Brestois Athlétisme) adds impressive depth. Consistently around the 1:11 mark for the half marathon, the young Breton is the ideal outsider—the one who capitalizes if the leaders hesitate.
The women’s race promises just as much intrigue. Marion Haas starts as the logical favorite. Strong over the half marathon, she thrives on courses that reward consistency rather than steady, linear effort. Giulia Peaucellier, known for finishing strongly despite fatigue, and Mathilde Gay, renowned for her tenacity, complete a trio where weather conditions could play the role of ultimate referee.
| A fast and fearless 10K
The tone changes on the 10 km, but the level remains high. Primel Le Goff (Quimper Athlétisme) stands out among local references. Fast and precise in his effort, he knows exactly how to handle races where every surge counts.
Facing him, Thomas Plourin and Victor Lemasson, both announced around the 31-minute mark, represent a fearless new generation—capable of going out hard and owning it. On a slightly downhill course, the temptation to turn the race into a collective time trial will be strong.
A step behind on paper, Luca Guirriec could benefit if the favorites go out too fast. Same logic for Baptiste Le Bris, who is capable of a devastating finish if the pace explodes up front.
On the women’s side, Chloé Bacon arrives with real status. Fast and efficient, she enjoys courses where the rhythm never drops. Marion Loc’h and Léa Kerdelhué lurk close behind, ready to pounce on the slightest mistake in conditions where wind and atmosphere can reshuffle the deck right up to the line.
| Sport, salted butter and a full-on fest-noz atmosphere
Behind the project stands François Hinault, a native of Telgruc-sur-Mer and an organizer known for unconventional races in the region. A true Finistère local, he has designed an event true to his values: sport, territory, community. Far from a disconnected, generic race, the Finistère Half Marathon proudly embraces its roots.
Along the course, aid stations smell of salted butter bread. Cheers sometimes come with the rhythm of djembes. Tunnels are decorated with Breton flags. At the finish, the race village on Camaret’s harbor keeps the party going: traditional wooden games, musicians in traditional dress, Breton dances, food trucks and well-earned crêpes.
If the elements decide to add drizzle and biting wind to the menu, no one will complain. It will simply feel even more like Finistère. Rarely has a race pushed “Breton identity” this far. Folk groups at aid stations, music throughout the course, traditional dances in the finish village—the Finistère Half Marathon doesn’t just borrow regional codes, it celebrates them.
| Still spots available for the 10K
While the half marathon is sold out, a limited number of bibs remain for the 10 km until February 8, 2026. The perfect entry point to discover the event, tackle an intense effort in a stunning setting, or simply run for the joy of it before enjoying a crêpe at the finish. Whether the goal is a personal best, a winter comeback or pure coastal pleasure, there’s a place for everyone.
| Key information
Sunday, February 22, 2026
➜ Start times: 9:00 a.m. – Half marathon (Telgruc-sur-Mer) and 11:30 a.m. – 10 km (Crozon)
➜ Finish & race village: Camaret-sur-Mer harbor
➜ Traffic disruptions possible during the race (road closures or one-way sections)
An official course measurement session took place on January 26, ensuring full certification by the French Athletics Federation. Licensed runners will therefore validate a fully certified half marathon, measured according to international standards.
The Finistère Half Marathon doesn’t try to imitate others. It offers something different: a winter escape, a collective adventure, a sincere tribute to a proud land. Everything suggests this first edition won’t be the last. The kind of race destined to become a staple on the running calendar. On this festive Sunday, at the far western edge of Brittany, running will unmistakably taste of the open sea.
✔ All information is available on the official website
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
