Jules Verne delivers a record-breaking edition in the streets of Amiens

Organized by AUC, the Jules Verne Enedis race sold out once again for its 26th edition in Amiens, welcoming 2,000 more registered runners than last year. On Sunday, in the heart of Amiens, it brought running fans together on a flat but demanding course, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd.

On Sunday, June 29, at 9 a.m., the 500 athletes entered in the competitive 10K set off from Boulevard Carnot, which was closed to traffic for the occasion. Daniel Saint-Paul, an AUC coach and last-minute guest, started the first race of the morning. An hour later, the popular 10K got underway. Some 3,600 runners then followed in the footsteps of the elite field, which had finished around 30 minutes earlier. At around 11 a.m., the two 5K races followed one another, with several strong runners at the front from the opening meters.

10,000 runners in sight as the Jules Verne organizers aim even higher

Riding a wave of popular enthusiasm, this edition set a new participation record. Like many other events, it benefited from the growing appeal of running. Across all formats, 8,500 participants took the start: 3,600 in the popular 10K and 2,400 in the popular 5K. Selling out in record time, the Jules Verne's success can be explained by its history, having been created in 1999 under the name L’Amiénoise by renowned marathon runner Chantal Langlacé and initially reserved for women, as well as by the variety of its races and its accessibility.

The race holds an official label and serves as a qualifier for the French Championships. But beyond that, the event attracts both elite athletes looking to perform on Amiens soil and amateur runners eager to push themselves at their own pace. The walking events, meanwhile, allow people to take part in physical activity without running. This range of races also helps keep starts and finishes flowing smoothly. There have been no bottlenecks so far, something the organizers are determined to preserve.

Christophe Guibon, who steers the event and spends almost a year preparing it each time, confirmed the plan between trips back and forth as he rushed from one task to the next: « The goal is 10,000. We’ll need to make a few changes to the course. It’s a huge amount of work, but we have plenty of volunteers working alongside us, and it’s our passion for running that keeps us going. » Daniel Saint-Paul added: « Next year, we’re going to widen the finish so it can accommodate participants more effectively. The idea behind having two separate races is to keep the finish flowing. If amateurs and professionals are mixed together, it can cause confusion. This may simply be the easier way to do it. »

The crowd brings the course to life from start to finish

« There were people everywhere, » most of the runners interviewed at the finish told us, just a short distance from Stade Thédié, where refreshments were waiting for them. Moving around near the start and finish areas was difficult: the crowd seemed determined not to miss the event on Sunday morning. People jostled for a glimpse of Ugandan winner Sailas Rotich and social media star Mustapha Salmi, who was delighted to run through the streets of the Picardy capital, even if « the cathedral is smaller than mine, and it’s beautiful, but not as beautiful, » he joked. « We bring the atmosphere! Volunteering brings us joy and a sense of community, » exclaimed Françoise Lacoste, who went to bed at 3 a.m., got up at 6 a.m. and was there alongside around 20 fellow members of her walking club.

For some runners, such as Mathilde Delépine, taking part carried a special meaning. The winner of the popular 10K in the Master 0 category, she comfortably beat her previous best of 46 minutes and had traveled from the Paris region for a very specific reason: « This was the first race I ever did, around 15 years ago, and then I stopped running for two years. So it was important for me to return to competition here. » Three sisters shared the same emotion, visibly moved to cross the finish line together. The youngest, Zoé Lange, explained: « I live here, and they came to visit me that weekend, so I said to them, “Come on, let’s do a race together!” I was so happy to share it with them, especially with Lola, the oldest. We do most of our races together, and this time we all set new personal bests. »

Ugandan double as every category gets its moment

Silas Rotich won in 28:48, setting a new course record in the 10K. Invited alongside his compatriot Rispa Cherop, who took the women's title in 31:39, he said he was « surprised and happy to win the race ». His training partner gave it everything but had not expected to win either, particularly « with all the turns on the course ».

Representing her club, ACFC Le Cateau, and marking her return after an injury, Margaux Sieracki entered both distances, with no concern for her placing. Laughing, she said: « I’ve never run a course this tough, not even when I was a kid. I hope the president will be happy ». As part of her training plan, she ran the 10K « at half-marathon pace » in second place, recording 33:49, before following it up with the 5K « at 10K pace » to intensify the session. She covered the shorter distance in 16:23 and took home the biggest prize. Smiling broadly, she admitted to « feeling it a little in my legs ».

After winning the Mémorial Bruno Willecoq 10K in early June, Moroccan runner Youssef Ben Hadi, who is registered with SCO Ste Marguerite Marseille, returned to the region to claim second place in 29:04, well outside his time at Abbeville, 28:14. « Today, I did everything I could to stay in front, and even beat the course record, but I was a little tired because I’ve raced several times over the past month. I’m delighted with this place and to be back on the podium », said the 30-year-old with the infectious smile.

Mathilde Sénéchal, from AJ Blois-Onzain, surrendered her crown for third place in 34:26, « not exactly sparkling, but acceptable given how I was feeling today ». In the men's race, Youssef Khadiri completed the podium in 29:33.

This year, the organizers introduced awards for the top finisher in every category in each race, a great way to shine a light on those who are not always in the spotlight, whether they are very young or more experienced. Jamal Moussaoui, the first Master 0 finisher in the competitive 10K, was delighted: « I’m happy with my second comeback race after a year away! I’m looking forward to the podium! Next week in Normandy, I’ll try to take 20 seconds off today’s time. I’m heading in the right direction. » For Florian Lombart, third in the popular 10K in 37:29, this first podium was a real bonus: « I wasn’t expecting it at all. I’d never been on a podium before. It’s nice sometimes to lead the race; it gives you a bit of extra courage. »

➜ 8,500 participants took the start: 3,600 in the popular 10K and 2,400 in the popular 5K !

A flat but stop-start course that divides opinion

Despite the repeated surges mentioned throughout conversations with participants, the overriding feeling was simply the pleasure of being there. « There are quite a few surges, which disrupts your rhythm, but it gives you a chance to get yourself going again. There are hairpin turns, cobblestones and curbs, so you have to stay alert all the time, but it’s in the city center, it’s enjoyable, and there are always people around », said Élodie Bellettre of Amicale du Val de Somme. For some, such as Mustapha Salmi, the surges are even part of the fun. Sixth on the day in 30:14, he improved his season's best, set at the 10 km des Champs-Élysées, where he had nevertheless finished fourth, underlining the high standard of the race in the Somme. He hung with the pack before pulling clear by a few seconds late in the race. In the middle of marathon preparation, he thoroughly enjoyed his stop in the Amiens metropolitan area: « I feel at home here. »

Picardy running couple Clément Ringard and Charline Heu were able to celebrate one victory and one third-place finish in the competitive 5K. « It was tough », the latter recalled, « because of an iron deficiency and anemia », but she was still happy to be there and running. Her partner, pleased to have beaten one of his closest friends, Frédéric Debarros, stressed how demanding the course was: « On a course like this, it’s far too technical for a personal best. There are around 22 surges, turns, cobblestones and 180-degree corners. It’s really tough. But I know it well; I know the course by heart. I won three years ago, and I’m often here. »

Once again, this edition celebrated running through the streets of Amiens, with music along the course, a lively partner village and a convivial barbecue for post-race food. With 1,000 people unable to take part this year, Amiens UC is aiming even higher: 10,000 participants are expected in 2026. Before that must-attend Picardy event returns, a new 5K, the November Kiprun, will be launched near Amiens next November, offering runners a great way to bridge the gap until the next edition.

✔ Find all the results from the 2025 edition