Alessia Zarbo sets French 10K record with 31:00 in Prague

She is now the fastest French woman in history over 10K on the road. On Saturday, September 6, Alessia Zarbo delivered a statement performance in Prague, taking a second off the national record Mekdes Woldu had set in May. A perfectly judged 31:00, a win, a course record and confirmation that the Racing Multi Athlon distance runner is enjoying a defining year. Just days before her 24th birthday, the Antibes native gave herself the finest gift of all.

A perfectly controlled race

The Birell 10K Night Race Prague is known for its electric atmosphere and fast course through the heart of the Czech capital. Organised by RunCzech and held in the evening, the race offered ideal conditions for a fast time. Alessia Zarbo needed no second invitation: setting out at sub-31-minute pace, she reached 5K in 15:26. Calm and confident in her ability, the Racing Multi Athlon athlete gave up a few seconds over the second half, but found another gear all the way to the finish to clock a superb 31:00.

A commanding performance that saw her finish seventh overall and first woman, while setting a new course record. A truly historic result.

A breakthrough finally freed from setbacks

This record confirms a trajectory that has been as difficult as it has been impressive. Already making her mark as a junior with a European Youth Olympic Festival title in 2016 and a bronze medal at the European U18 Championships, the Antibes native then endured years disrupted by injuries and inconsistency. Coached by Ludovic Beaugrand, father of Olympic champion Cassandre Beaugrand, she finished 12th in the 10,000m at the 2022 European Championships before entering a fallow period. Then, in 2024, she secured a surprise place at the Paris Olympics in the 10,000m through the cross-country ranking. The experience ended with a DNF at the Stade de France, after accumulated fatigue and psychological overload took their toll.

Since then, however, the engine has started running again. This year has brought a personal best in Pacé, with 31:50 for 10,000m on the track, second place at the French Elite Championships in Talence behind Aude Clavier, and now this 31:00, which erases her previous road best of 32:22. The time also moves her up to 17th on the European all-time list.

She is now the fastest French woman in history over 10K on the road. On Saturday, September 6, Alessia Zarbo delivered a statement performance in Prague, taking a second off the national record Mekdes Woldu had set in May. A perfectly judged 31:00, a win, a course record and confirmation that the Racing Multi Athlon distance runner is enjoying a defining year. Just days before her 24th birthday, the Antibes native gave herself the finest gift of all.

A year that changes everything

Sponsored by Hoka since April, the Racing Multi Athlon athlete now has a genuinely professional setup. In an interview this summer, she told us she was finally stringing together strong training weeks, including 1,000m reps run under three minutes, a clear sign that her form was building. On Saturday evening, Prague confirmed that upward trend with a world-class performance that will almost certainly open new doors for her internationally.

With this stratospheric time, Alessia Zarbo has put together the finest season of her young career and continues to raise the profile of French women's distance running. There is no question of stopping here: next week, the Antibes distance runner will line up at the French Half Marathon Championships as one of the favourites, with ambitions that have inevitably grown.

✔ Find all the results from the Birell 10K Night Race Prague.