Youssef Benhadi and Mathilde Sénéchal steal the show at Les Sables d’Olonne

Youssef Benhadi delivers a masterclass and sets a course record

At 8 a.m. on Sunday, the starting gun rang out in Les Sables d’Olonne. The seaside resort hosted the 32nd edition of the Semi-Marathon des Sables d’Olonne. With 5,400 runners lining up across the different races, Vendée’s must-run event once again proved a huge success. The elite field delivered the spectacle on the roads, and the leading pack in the weekend’s headline race did not disappoint. In the men’s race, all eyes were on Youssef Benhadi. The SCO Ste Marguerite athlete, who was born in Morocco, moved clear after just 5 kilometers. Only Enos Kipruto could go with him at that stage. By halfway, the pair had opened up a 45-second lead on the chasers. The Moroccan ultimately took the win after producing the stronger finish. Youssef Benhadi won the 32nd Semi-Marathon des Sables d’Olonne in 1:02:17, knocking almost a minute off the previous course record. Enos Kipruto crossed the line 14 seconds later in 1:02:31. The battle for third was just as compelling. After a flat-out finish, Algeria’s Mohammed Benyettou secured third in 1:03:15, edging Frenchman Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse (1:03:16).

Mathilde Sénéchal rules the women’s race

In the women’s race, Mathilde Sénéchal delivered a flawless performance. The AJ Blois-Onzain athlete, already the winner in 2024, lined up as the clear favorite. Spectators witnessed a familiar script on the roads of Les Sables d’Olonne. Just as in 2024, Mathilde Sénéchal settled into the race before mounting an impressive charge through the field. After 10 kilometers, she was 25 seconds behind Moroccan runner Hanane Bouaggad. Sénéchal eventually overtook her by just seven seconds. The 2025 French marathon champion won in 1:12:47 and lowered her own course record. Hanane Bouaggad took second in 1:12:55. Kenyan runner Marcy Jebichii completed the podium in 1:15:30. The same race also saw French runners Agate Violleau (fifth in 1:15:52), Maëlle Lacroix (sixth in 1:15:59), Camille Massol (seventh in 1:16:16), Cloé Hotte (eighth in 1:16:16) and Julia Paduch (10th in 1:17:47) finish in the top 10.

Saïd Kaddour and Laëtitia Bleunven win the 10K

The day’s second race got underway later that morning. The 10K brought together 1,800 runners, with an appealing mix of elite athletes and recreational runners. Things moved quickly, very quickly, over the shorter distance. Moroccan runner Saïd Kaddour, who owns a 29:20 personal best, lived up to his billing as favorite. The Alès Cévennes Athlétisme athlete raised his arms at the finish after running 29:50 on his own. Never under threat, he finished 10 seconds clear of runner-up Louis Intunzinzi. Antoine Gasnier (31:04) dug deep to take third, just ahead of Julien Navarro (fourth in 31:10). In the women’s race, Laëtitia Bleunven led the field from the front. The Stade Brestois Athlétisme athlete won in 35:18. Lucile Mary (second in 35:37) and Camille Corniglion (third in 37:16) completed the podium. Once again, the event was defined by strong popular support and excellent organization.

✓ All the results from the Semi-Marathon des Sables d’Olonne