Corrida de Langueux: Mehdi Frère and Robe Dida rise to the Breton roar
© Gwendal Hamon / Capture My SportHeld on June 13, the Corrida de Langueux, a fixture on France’s running calendar since 1991, once again drew an exceptional international field and set a new participation record with 6,000 runners. The fiercely contested 10K delivered world-class racing, with victory going to France’s Mehdi Frère and Ethiopia’s Robe Dida. Mekdes Woldu also dipped under 31 minutes, clocking 30:56.
With World Athletics status, the Corrida de Langueux is a true institution. For 35 years, the event has welcomed the best international and French runners every year, all racing in a uniquely vibrant atmosphere. This year, the participation record fell, with nearly 6,000 people taking part across the weekend’s races.
Mehdi Frère wins after a thrilling sprint finish
Despite its demanding urban course, Langueux remains one of the fastest 10Ks in the country. The standout performance came from Mehdi Frère, who prevailed after a breathless final kilometre. Initially hanging back from the leading pack, the Republican Guard gendarme, returning to top-level competition after two years away, paced his effort perfectly before catching his rivals by surprise in 27:44. He finished ahead of Kenyans Félix Kibet (27:45) and Andrew Kiptoo Kiprop (27:45). The winner took several seconds off the personal best he had set just a week earlier at the adidas 10K Paris, improving from 28:11 in a spectacular comeback after a two-year ban for whereabouts failures. Mehdi Frère became the first Frenchman to win the Corrida de Langueux since Mickaël Thomas in 2001.
Valentin Gondouin (28:02), Félix Bour (28:09) and Abderrazak Charik (28:12) also made the top 10, finishing seventh, eighth and 10th respectively.
Huge thanks to the crowd, who played a full part in the performance. We felt them pushing us all the way. You all played a part in that time tonight. I expected it, this is Brittany! I thought I’d make my move a kilometre from the finish because I didn’t want to find myself in the final straight with guys who are incredibly strong (Felix Kibet, second in 27:45, and Andrew Kiprop Kiptoo, third in 27:45). In the final straight, all I could hear was a roar and the encouragement around me. You enjoy it and give everything to the very end. I didn’t expect to win, so it’s almost a surprise.
Robe Dida dominates as Mekdes Woldu comes within seconds of the French record
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Robe Dida gave her rivals no chance, crossing the line in 30:49. Behind her, Mekdes Woldu also made a statement, taking second in 30:56, just seconds off Cassandre Beaugrand’s French record. The performance makes her the second-fastest Frenchwoman of all time. Ethiopia’s Bikile Amesu finished third in 31:12, while France’s Inès Hamouni made the top 10 in 32:20.
“What an atmosphere. You’d think we were at the Tour de France or the Olympic Games. Thank you, Brittany! And thank you to the organiser for inviting me at the last minute, because I only decided at the beginning of the week that I would race. I’m very happy to be back in Langueux after winning the French Championships here in 2021 ”.
An atmosphere to remember
The Corrida de Langueux is about more than an international 10K. The programme offers plenty of variety, including a 5K and two “10K Popular” races for runners targeting under and over 50 minutes, as well as trail races and walks. The three-loop 10K course is made for an electric atmosphere, with crowds from the Côtes-d’Armor lining the route and delivering a guaranteed Breton roar.
Festive, inclusive and built around performance, the Corrida de Langueux remains a rare standout on France’s running calendar. In the heart of the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, the world’s elite have lined up alongside runners of every level for 35 years, creating an atmosphere worthy of the biggest events.