2025 Corrida de Houilles: Yann Schrub and Klara Lukan shine
© STADIONThe final major road-racing fixture of the year in France, the 52nd Corrida de Houilles once again lived up to its billing. This fast 10K, a key date on the French running calendar with FFA and World Athletics status, delivered a deep, international elite field despite unsettled weather and an atmosphere that lived up to the race’s reputation. In the men’s race, Yann Schrub dominated from start to finish, setting a new course record of 27:20 and leaving the competition trailing from the opening kilometre. In the women’s race, Slovenia’s Klara Lukan claimed a commanding victory in 31:15. Two displays of strength, two races controlled from gun to tape. Once again, the Corrida de Houilles proved it is a race in a class of its own.
The scene was set in the Paris rain, with a waterlogged road underfoot at the start. The field surged away in a compact, dense, electric pack. It did not take long for the pecking order to emerge. The favourites showed their intentions almost immediately. Within just a few minutes, the race had already shifted. Houilles did not wait for Santa this year: Yann Schrub arrived early.
Yann Schrub, one against them all
There was never any doubt. From the opening strides, Yann Schrub took control. He quickly pulled clear, opening a gap of around 20 metres on a quality field. By the two-kilometre mark, reached at a very fast 5:30, the Frenchman was already alone out front. Behind him, the chase pack struggled to organise itself, led by Kenyan Jacob Krop and Swiss runner Dominic Lobalu, but the gap kept growing.
Schrub was determined and rarely glanced over his shoulder. He settled into a powerful, confident stride. The rain eventually eased, and the Sarreguemines runner continued with focus and precision, managing the race impressively. At halfway, the gap was still intact. At eight kilometres, he came through in 21:59, nearly 20 seconds clear of the chasers. Behind him, the pack was breaking apart. Krop tried to pull away from the pursuing group, while Lobalu and Spain’s Ilias Fifa hung on.
Down the finishing straight, with the rain returning, Schrub stretched his stride once more. He gave everything, without holding back, and crossed the line in 27:20 after leading the entire race alone. A clear-cut victory puts him fourth on the all-time list of fastest French 10K runners, behind Daguinos, Gressier and Wanders. He succeeds Jimmy Gressier, who edged him in a sprint last year in 27:45. Kenya’s Jacob Krop took second in 27:47, while Spain’s Ilias Fifa completed the podium in 27:53, just ahead of Ethiopia’s Mezgebu Sime (27:55) and Swiss runner Dominic Lobalu, fifth in 27:59.
The performance caps an exceptional year for Yann Schrub. A medical graduate pursuing a dual sporting and professional career, he has confirmed his place among Europe’s leading road runners. Houilles was a validation race for him, a full-scale test ahead of the World Cross Country Championships on January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida, with the French team. He had said he wanted to take the lead and dictate the race. He did exactly that, with authority. French middle-distance running is in very good shape.
“I wanted to go to the front, take responsibility and see how my legs responded. I’m very happy with the way I ran. I felt that they responded straight away, so I didn’t hesitate. Houilles is a race apart, with a real history here. This victory gives me a lot of confidence for what’s ahead, especially cross country.”
Klara Lukan calls the shots as the French women deliver
The women’s race followed a similar script. Very quickly, Klara Lukan, a three-time Slovenian 5,000m champion, took control. She set the pace from within a small group of male runners and came through 5K in 15:30. Behind her, the French women tried to limit the damage, but the Slovenian looked untouchable.
Lukan never faltered and powered to victory in 31:15 after leading from gun to tape. It was a display of strength and consistency. Behind her, Mekdes Woldu took an excellent second in 31:37, just one week after her notable performance in Hyères. Célia Tabet completed the podium in 32:01 after a huge effort, ahead of Kenya’s Rebecca Chepkwemoi (32:02). Next came Mélody Julien, fifth in 32:18, and 3,000m steeplechase European record-holder Alice Finot, seventh in 33:22, in a women’s race of the highest calibre.
“I’m so happy to come back so quickly. I’d been injured for three months, and it was mentally tough not to compete at the World Championships in Tokyo. The race was difficult at the start, but I’m very happy I was able to finish strongly. Thanks to the organisers, it was a great race. Despite the rain, I love those conditions. Congratulations to Célia and Mélody, who are also very strong. I hope 2026 can live up to 2025, when I broke three of my records.”
Full results
Top 10 – Women
1. Klara Lukan 31:15
2. Mekdes Woldu 31:37
3. Célia Tabet 32:03
4. Rebecca Chepkwemoi 32:02
5. Mélody Julien 32:20
6. Veerle Bakker 32:43
7. Alice Finot 33:31
8. Eleonore Julier 33:40
9. Bérénice Merle Cleyet 33:57
10. Amal Bouyij 34:12
✔ In total, 20 women finished under 36 minutes.
Top 10 – Men
1. Yann Schrub 27:20
2. Jacob Krop 27:47
3. Ilias Fifa 27:53
4. Mezgebu Sime 27:55
5. Dominic Lobalu 28:00
6. Titouan Le Grix 28:20
7. Emmanuel Roudolf-Levisse 28:21
8. Simon Bédard 28:22
9. Luc Le Baron 28:26
10. Pierre Boudy 28:26
✔ In total, 26 men finished under 30 minutes.
With two races still on the programme, a mass-participation 10K that brought together nearly 2,000 runners and an elite-only 10K des As, the Corrida de Houilles once again delivered on its promise: bringing together the highest level of competition and grassroots running. It was a celebration of middle-distance running, an unmissable end-of-year fixture and the perfect stage for athletes in form. Yann Schrub made a powerful impression and confirmed the ambitions of the French team ahead of the World Cross Country Championships, which will take place on January 10 in Tallahassee, United States.