© Semi-Marathon du Finistère / FLOÉ
Finistère Half Marathon: Jean Péron and Mathilde Gay set the tone as the peninsula delivers
Wind, sea spray, and fully exposed roads — the Crozon Peninsula offered no gifts this Sunday, February 22. Yet for its very first edition, the Finistère Half Marathon lived up to expectations. Jean Péron asserted his authority over the 21.1 km, while Mathilde Gay made history in the women’s race. Behind them, a rain-lashed 10 km produced a race as dense as it was uncompromising.
There was that pale winter light, wind heavy with salt air, and the unmistakable buzz of a first-time event. On Sunday morning, the Crozon Peninsula hosted the inaugural Finistère Half Marathon. A debut closely watched by local runners, and cautiously approached by others given the unsettled weather forecast. By the finish, the verdict was clear: this race has found its place.
In the courtyard of the Rozavern cider house — the start line — more than 2,600 runners gathered at dawn. Mostly from Brittany, but representing over twenty nationalities, everyone searched for shelter from the biting wind. Five starting waves, clearly identified pacers with flags on their backs, ready to guide the field toward the harbor of Camaret-sur-Mer. The gun went off at 9:00 a.m., accompanied by the sound of bagpipes. For just over an hour, the leaders would dodge the rain. Further back, the skies eventually opened.
| Jean Péron, alone against the wind
In the half marathon, the lead group quickly broke apart. As expected, Brest native Jean Péron took control early. By the 3 km mark, the Stade Brestois runner found himself alone, locked into a long time trial straight into the wind. Kilometer after kilometer, the gap stabilized. The pace stayed strong, the rhythm steady. At the finish, Péron claimed victory in 1:11:10, fully validating his preparation block for the Barcelona Marathon on March 15.
“It wasn’t an easy race — I ran alone into the wind from the third kilometer. But I finished strong,” he said moments after crossing the line. Arriving with the fatigue of a heavy training week — including 45 minutes of running before pinning on his bib — the Finistère native left reassured: “A very good training race, well-marked course, and I still had energy left at the finish. It’s excellent preparation for Barcelona in three weeks. Everything was clearly signposted, no issues at all. I’m really happy with how this went.”
Behind him, the local crowd had plenty to cheer. Éhouarn Magueur, a Rosnoën native, secured a solid second place in 1:13:11. At 25, in his first full season of running, he is targeting the Paris Marathon on April 12, 2026, with an ambition between 2:30 and 2:35. “Some strong gusts of wind, but they made the race interesting. A beautiful natural course, on the peninsula’s greenway — basically at home,” he smiled at the finish.
The podium was completed by Théo Chenu, also from Stade Brestois, third in 1:13:24. Preparing for Barcelona as well, he described a gritty race: “I had a luxury pacer with Jean ahead of me, but I cracked around 7 km and Éhouarn caught me in the final five. Thankfully, I managed to tuck in behind him — having him in sight helped me secure the podium on this course.” Behind the top three, the depth was striking. Florian Pincemin (4th in 1:13:37), Morgan L’Helgouen, Jean-Adrien Michel, and Jérémy Tréguer rounded out a tightly packed men’s top 10, spread over barely five minutes despite the wind and exposed sections.
| Mathilde Gay delivers in the women’s race
In the women’s race, the battle also unfolded at the front in a committed head-to-head. Brest-based triathlete Mathilde Gay took the win in 1:24:45, after a perfectly controlled effort. “The course was tougher than expected. The first part through the woods was sheltered, but the second half was much more exposed — it really hurt,” she said at the finish. This victory marked the key objective of her winter, ahead of a spring focused on triathlon, including the Brittany long-distance championships in Pontivy and the Ironman Vichy.
Behind her, Mégane Dumoustier never gave up. Second in 1:25:48, the trail runner explained: “We passed each other back and forth until around 16 km, where I cracked a bit. Physically, it wasn’t ideal, but mentally I was ready. In the end, it was a good race — I’m happy.” The first-ever women’s podium was completed by Tiphaine Morvan, third in 1:28:56, in a race where the weather tested everyone equally. Here too, the women’s top 10 revealed impressive depth, with tight gaps and strong representation from Breton clubs.
| A 10K battered by the elements
Starting one hour after the half marathon, the 10 km entered a different dimension entirely. Headwind and rain for the entire course. Conditions many would later describe as brutal, and which took a heavy toll physically. In the men’s race, the battle came down to a matter of seconds. Primel Le Goff won in 33:53, just two seconds ahead of Thomas Plourin. Jérôme Pasquette completed the podium in 34:21, after a courageous effort.
| Un classement féminin du 10 km bousculé et révélateur
The women’s race produced an even more unusual scenario. U23 runner Célia Brossard crossed the line first in 36:44, well clear of the field. However, her performance did not count toward the official results, as she was disqualified after the race — a notable incident given how decisively her time would have reshaped the standings. Victory ultimately went to Chloé Bacon. The Quimper Athlétisme athlete claimed first place in 39:08, after a solid and consistent run. Behind her, experienced Séverine Ropert took second in 41:00, while Léa Kerdelhue completed the podium in 41:06, racing for Brest Triathlon.
The rest of the standings told the story of a fiercely contested race to the line. Adeline Roué, Marion Loch, and Victoria Lhouang finished within a single minute of each other, before the masters athletes took over, led by Laëtitia Ménesguen Le Guillou and Isabelle Rannou. Worth noting as well: a strong performance by U23 runner Mado Grélé, tenth overall in 44:37. A stretched, reshuffled women’s top 10, where categories blended — often favoring the most resilient athletes in such conditions.
| A first edition already firmly established
At the finish, race director François Hinault wore a relieved smile after seeing nearly 4,000 participants take on this Sunday challenge. “Thank you to the runners for the trust they placed in this first edition,” said the organizer, who also oversees the Grand Raid du Finistère, already open for registration. “There were a lot of first bibs, a lot of first experiences. We organize half marathons and 10 km races to help as many people as possible take the plunge.”
© Semi-Marathon du Finistère / FLOÉ
A special mention goes to the 200 volunteers who were out all morning despite the harsh weather. “We want to improve year after year. Nothing is possible without them.” With this successful debut, the Crozon Peninsula now boasts a road race worthy of its dramatic landscape — demanding, authentic, and formative. The Finistère Half Marathon didn’t just arrive. It has already made its mark.
✔ Full results of the 2026 Finistère Half Marathon
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
