West Wind and Salt-Kissed Strides: Heading to the Sables d’Olonne Half Marathon

This is unquestionably one of the must-run events in Vendée. Les Sables-d’Olonne is best known for the Vendée Globe, with the start and finish town of the world’s biggest sailing race taking center stage every four years. But in mid-June, the seaside resort and its skippers make way for runners at the Sables d’Olonne Half Marathon. The event continues to grow in stature with every edition, and while strong performances are expected from the French contingent, this year’s international field should set up some thrilling battles for the win.

Mathilde Sénéchal and Nicolas Navarro lead the French challenge

You had to be quick to secure a place in the Sables d’Olonne Half Marathon. The 5,400 entries sold out in no time, with the race at capacity for several weeks already. Starting from the shores of Lac de Tanchet, nearly 3,200 runners will take on the seafront over two laps of 8.820 km and 12.280 km. Among them, a number of French internationals and familiar names will be lining up at the sharp end. First among them is international runner Mathilde Sénéchal, the 2024 winner and course-record holder in 1:12:54. The newly crowned French marathon champion will not be the only contender at the front. The French squad promises a competitive race, with Floriane Hot (1:15:43 in 2025), Agate Violleau (1:15:32 in 2023), Maëlle Lacroix (1:15:58) and Julia Paduch (1:17:26), all with ambitions beyond a supporting role.

In the men’s race, defending champion Ethiopian Wbet Gebrheat Muruts will not be back to defend his title. The battle for the win should be intense. France’s Nicolas Navarro, who finished 16th in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is expected to be at the front. Keep a close eye on Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse (1:01:34 in 2024), who arrives in outstanding form after a remarkable start to the season at the Seville Marathon (2:07:41). The French presence will be substantial, with Freddy Guimard (1:04:00 in 2023), Florian Caro (1:04:18 in 2025), Hicham Briki (1:04:21 in 2023), Florian Girard (1:05:10 in 2024), Brice Daubord (1:05:12 in 2020), Adrien Toucas (1:05:52 in 2023), Julien Navarro (1:06:12 in 2022) and El Hassane Ben Lkhainouch (1:01:31 in 2014) joining Nicolas Navarro and Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse on the start line.

An international field means international athletes. Abdelkarim Ben Zahra could get his revenge after finishing second last year. The Kenyans will unsurprisingly feature at the front, with Jacob Kipkorir Kosgei (1:00:22), Enos Kiprunto (1:02:33 in 2025), Boniface Funi Njiru (1:02:00 in 2022) and Komen Kipsang (1:02:00). Finally, Shadrack Kimutai Koech (1:00:12 in 2019, Kazakhstan), Mohammed Benyettou (1:00:55 in 2024, Algeria) and Youssef Benhadi (1:01:24 in 2018, Morocco) should all feature in the lead pack battling for the win.

With its World Athletics “gold” label, the race serves as a qualifier for the 2025 French Half Marathon Championships (Auray-Vannes on September 14, 2025). Plenty of runners will surely have qualification firmly in their sights.

✓ Live coverage of the race on the event’s Facebook page

Yohan Durand set to race the 10K

The Sables-d’Olonne 10K also promises an entertaining Sunday morning. A few hundred metres after the start on Avenue du Lac, runners will turn left for an out-and-back section. The field will pass Lac de Tanchet before continuing for just over 2 kilometres along the seafront. At the 7-kilometre mark, runners will turn around near the Sables-d’Olonne casino before heading back to the finish near the Olonne zoo.

Spectators’ eyes will undoubtedly be drawn to marathoner Yohan Durand, almost on home turf here in Les Sables-d’Olonne. The Dordogne Athlé athlete, who has earned 24 caps for France, has a 28:15 personal best for the distance. The fast course could inspire him to a victory and a very quick time. Also lining up are Burundian runner Louis Intunzinzi (28:38 in 2025), Moroccan Saïd Kaddour (29:20 in 2023) and Théo Moussu (29:55 in 2021).

The women’s race looks more open in the absence of course-record holder Saadia Fadili (34:12). Stade Brestois Athlétisme runner Laëtitia Bleunven (33:34 in 2024) is the clear favourite.

Fast racing and a festival atmosphere on the cards

While the elites will drive the action at the front, the event will also be charged with popular enthusiasm, with more than 5,400 runners lining up across the various races. The course has been designed to give runners plenty of support from their most loyal fans. In the weekend’s headline event, runners will tackle a first lap of just over 8 km before heading out for a second 12-km lap. The format gives spectators more chances to follow the race and deliver a genuine boost to everyone taking on the challenge. On the 10K, the out-and-back course will work equally well for athletes and spectators. Throughout the weekend, running fans can enjoy the race and its setting. A picture-postcard backdrop and a weekend that feels like an early holiday. Few events offer the chance to run beside the sea. Children can join in the celebrations too by taking part in age-group races on Saturday, June 7.

In 2025, the event’s organisation and quality were recognised with the World Athletics Label. The race is now officially listed on the World Athletics calendar, confirming its place among the major international fixtures on the running calendar.

West Wind and Salt-Kissed Strides: Heading to the Sables d’Olonne Half Marathon

Sables d’Olonne Half Marathon schedule

Bison Futé has issued a red alert for this Half Marathon weekend. Here is the full schedule for June 7 and 8 in Vendée:

➜ Saturday, June 7:
• 1:30 p.m.: start of the various children’s races
• 3:15 p.m.: children’s race awards ceremony

➜ Sunday, June 8:
• 8:00 a.m.: half marathon start
• 10:45 a.m.: 10K start

✓ Find all the latest event updates on the official race website, Instagram and Facebook.