At 70 years old, Laurence Alnet holds the world marathon record
Laurence Alnet turned 70 on July 18, 2024. Last November, in La Rochelle, she achieved the incredible feat of securing the women’s world record in her M7 category (70-74 years) with a marathon time of 3h26’40. Despite noticeable wind during this particular race, the septuagenarian broke the previous record held by American Jeannie Rice with a time of 3h27’50 set in 2018. Following this achievement, Laurence was swept up in a media whirlwind and a wave of goodwill during this period.
“I’ve been running for 56 years”
Laurence told us, “I’ve been running for 56 years.” Indeed, the member of Nantes Métropole Athlétisme began running at 14 in school, where her teacher discovered her natural talent for the sport. Despite a few breaks, mainly due to two pregnancies, Laurence has been running almost her entire life. Balancing professional life and running hasn’t always been easy. Yet this didn’t stop her from trying everything: cross-country, 10k, half-marathon, marathon… Her favorite distance is the longest and probably the most demanding: the marathon’s 42.195 kilometers. In 1996, she ran her first marathon in London, achieving a time of 3h09 despite starting in the 4-hour pen. It was that same year she met her current coach, Jean Pierre Guiton from the Stade Nantais Athletic Club.
A half marathon and a new record in sight…
The world record holder is not planning to stop there. The next goal is set for March 2025 at the Lisbon Half Marathon. The aim? To claim another title, the European record (1h38’53). Laurence trains hard, at least 5 times a week, even without an upcoming race. Beyond the joy of running, the pursuit of performance is always present, never lacking. “I’ve always been competitive and I always will be.” It’s competition, goals, and adrenaline that drive this athlete more than anything else. Her friends sometimes describe her as “indestructible,” to which she responds, “There’s no age limit for running; as long as you can do it, you should. I’ve always run, I can’t see myself stopping.”
The school of life
Things haven’t always been easy for this marathon runner. Car accidents, separation, injuries… Laurence has faced challenges, which have contributed to her strength today. Fighting and overcoming difficulties is what she takes away from these experiences.
About fifteen years ago, she suffered a partial Achilles tendon rupture, an injury that kept her from marathon distances. The effort was too long, too risky according to medical professionals. Returning in May 2024 in Saumur to marathon distance, she was delighted and managed an impressive time of 3h24’45. At that moment, it wasn’t a record because she hadn’t yet turned 70. That following summer, Laurence broke three ribs after a fall and then caught shingles on her back. Despite all this, as her friends say, she is indestructible.
Running is a family affair. With a son who completed La Diagonale des Fous in 2024, a daughter who trains weekly, and grandchildren lacing up their sneakers, the legacy continues for Laurence.
We wish a wonderful continuation to this extraordinary grandmother.
