Montpellier 20K sets attendance record and renews its commitment to giving back

Last year, Lions Club Montpellier Languedoc celebrated the event’s 40th anniversary, with no intention of easing off despite already attracting 2,500 runners and raising nearly €20,500 for Handisport. It proved to be a winning formula: on the final day of November, this latest edition drew more than 3,000 participants, an all-time record. More than 1,900 lined up for the flagship 20K, while 750 opted for the roughly 10-kilometre half course, a new addition introduced in 2024 that starts on Esplanade Charles de Gaulle. Another 350 runners chose the 2 × 10K relay. It was another successful edition, confirming the event’s growing appeal while raising valuable funds once again. Over its 41-year history, the race has generated more than €1 million for end-of-life care and youth initiatives.

A quintessentially Mediterranean course

The start and finish were held at Domaine d’Ô, surrounded by a listed park, gardens and a château. It provided an ideal green setting for the 20K. The route alternated between urban sections and greener stretches, with moderate but noticeable elevation gain and loss (+180 m / -169 m). The first half trended downhill, while the second proved more demanding.

Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, near Montpellier’s Arc de Triomphe, was a key landmark for the 2 × 10K relay. Regular aid stations every 5 km helped runners manage their effort, whether they were chasing a fast time or simply enjoying the chance to discover Montpellier on the run. This year’s route also included a few new features, notably sections through Place de la Comédie and Les Arceaux.

Masters take the honours in the flagship 20K

The men’s podium featured three athletes from three different clubs. Taking the win, Christophe Destres, a Masters 2 runner from Mireval Gardiole Athlétisme, crossed the line in 1:04:54. A familiar force on the local scene, he had already run 2:32:51 at the Montpellier Marathon, where he finished second. He was followed by trail and marathon runner Tom Chaudon (Alès Cévennes Athlétisme), who produced a very solid 1:06:54 and owns a 2:32:39 marathon best. Third place went to 22-year-old Mohamed Cazai of MA2M Montpellier, who completed the course in 1:09:52.

The women’s race also delivered strong performances. Charlotte Maurin, a Masters 1 runner from ASJ La Garde and a regular on the podium at events including the Saint-Tropez Classic and Marseille-Cassis, where she finished third in the Masters category this year, won in 1:17:32. She placed 32nd overall and lowered her previous best for the distance by a wide margin, improving on the 1:18:07 she ran in 2014. Second place went to Delphine Py-Bilot, a Masters 2 athlete and former triathlete who now enjoys running with her family. Also representing Alès Cévennes Athlétisme, she finished in 1:18:18. Fanette Texier, a Masters 3 runner, completed the podium in 1:27:44.

In the relay, Team 21 bis, made up of Matéo Dray and Anaïs Dray, took the overall win in 1:11:12, topping the mixed category. Les Non Partants, with Rémi Cayrel and Louis Marre, claimed the men’s victory in 1:13:09, while Les P’tites Blondinettes, Maëliss Desserre and Ellora Bourgeois, won the women’s race in 1:33:48.

Strong podiums across the 10K

In the 10K, Jérémy Teissier took the win in 35:45, ahead of Bastien Thivant (35:55) and Jonas Razon, of Marvejols Cross Marathon, in 35:58. In the women’s race, experienced marathoner Valentine Bossé won in 43:28, followed by Clara Mazeyrat (45:28) and junior-category winner Méli Ganet in 47:13.

Organisers driven by strong values

Since its creation, the Montpellier 20K has aimed to raise funds that enable Lions Clubs to take action at local, regional and national level, providing practical solutions to social, medical, educational and environmental challenges. Thanks to the participation of thousands of runners, the organisation raises around €25,000 each year for disability initiatives, end-of-life care and youth programmes.

Once again, the Montpellier 20K brought everyone together: locals, visitors, young students, who often volunteer at the event too, and more experienced runners. With several race formats and a shared 9:30 a.m. start, there was an option for everyone. A strong 41st edition, powered by a genuine sense of community.

✔ Find all the results from the 2025 edition of the Montpellier 20K