Harmonie Mutuelle Marathon 10-20K Tours: Félix Bour completes a Touraine double

Before the fervour sparked by Félix Bour took over the 20K at the Harmonie Mutuelle Marathon 10-20K Tours, Saturday was already buzzing thanks to the Kids' Race. Marie-José Pérec, a three-time Olympic champion and regular at the Tours event, was one of the stars of the day, surrounded by the youngest runners on their dedicated course. It was the perfect curtain-raiser for Sunday's main event, setting the tone for a weekend built around sharing the spotlight between athletics stars and runners of all ages.

The weekend ambassador, who had been on site since Friday to lead the Salon's Shake Out Run at the Palais des Congrès, clearly had no intention of settling for a ceremonial role. France's reigning cross-country champion, crowned in Carhaix in March in front of 30,000 spectators, delivered another masterclass over the Tours 20K, clocking an almost surreal 1:00:00. It extended an already massive season for the Racing Multi Athlon athlete, including selection for the Birmingham European Championships and victory at the 10 km Estérel Côte d'Azur in Fréjus last June.

Behind him, the race produced plenty of compelling stories. Free Run Athlé 37 runner Alex-Franck Ngouari-Mouissi, competing in the M0H age category despite being over 40, produced a superb second-place finish in 1:00:04, just four seconds behind the winner. It must have hurt, even for the organisers, with such a tiny margin after 20 kilometres. The Congolese athlete was followed by Arthur Cosson, who completed the podium in 1:01:41, ahead of another regular on masters' podiums, Kenyan Titus Komen (1:03:36), in fourth.

Also worth noting was Thibaud Houstin's strong fifth place in the M1H category (1:04:37), followed by Marc Pauvert (1:05:21) and Alix Marzais (1:05:33), completing an especially competitive top seven. Italian Vincenzo Milesi (1:05:44), Julien Duréchou (1:05:51) and Mathys Wohl (1:06:15) rounded out a result that saw no fewer than ten runners break 1:07.

Kristin Colard takes the women's title

Over the same 20K distance, Kristin Colard claimed the women's victory in 1:12:58, a performance that reflected excellent race management on a fast course that still knows how to spring a few traps. She finished ahead of Sophie Rocheteau (1:15:05) and Samira Mezeghrane-Saad (1:15:27), completing a podium spanning several generations, with Colard and Mezeghrane-Saad both racing in masters categories (M1F and M2F).

Mélissa Frétaud took fourth in 1:16:21, followed by a strong group led by Chloe Mezerette (1:19:52), the only Senior Woman in the top 10, then Justine Touzeau (1:21:11) and Marion Pacary (1:21:46). Steffy Dinot (1:22:14), Laurence Boucher (1:23:38) and Barbara Goyeau (1:24:24) completed a result that once again highlighted the depth of Tours' amateur field.

Tours mayor catches the 20K bug

The 2026 edition also had its own local twist: Emmanuel Denis, the mayor of Tours, took on the 20K for the first time. Interviewed by the race announcer at the 10K starting line, the mayor made no secret of his post-race enthusiasm, despite the fatigue and a smile from ear to ear. “It was brilliant. Everyone is having a great time. I'm a bit foggy-headed myself,” he said. He then warmly thanked the organisers: “It's a great day of celebration. I'm delighted to see this sporting spirit throughout the city. ” If further proof were needed, the moment showed that the Harmonie Mutuelle Marathon 10-20K Tours has grown well beyond a sporting event into a true community occasion, right up to the mayor's office.

Hicham El Haddad edges Florian Ciliberti in a breathtaking sprint

Over the headline distance, the marathon, Moroccan Hicham El Haddad won a thrilling finish in 2:25:46, edging Florian Ciliberti by just eight seconds (2:25:54). It was a Diamond League-style finale, with an eight-second gap after 42.195 kilometres bordering on a tactical miracle. Tura Kumbi Bechere completed the podium in 2:26:04, only ten seconds further back, proof that the battle for victory remained wide open right to the line.

Matthieu Gaulandeau took an impressive fourth in 2:31:45, well clear of the first Senior Man in the standings, Valentin Nicault (2:40:09), who ran much of the race alone. Nils Gutermann, the only U23 man in the top 10, posted a highly promising 2:42:22, just ahead of Swiss runner Nathanaël Besse (2:42:28) and Thibaut Flahou (2:42:38). Quentin Guégo (2:47:18) and Artem Balachov (2:47:49) completed the top 10.

Anne Carlat the only woman under 3:15

In the women's race, Anne Carlat produced the day's fastest marathon time by a wide margin, finishing in 3:12:00. She was nine minutes clear of Marion Hamang, second in 3:21:26, who was herself only just ahead of Jenny Bersuat (3:21:59). Émilie Moreau-Leblanc (3:23:16), Anne-Laure Bourgeois (3:24:52) and Camille Chouen (3:25:50) formed a compact group, followed by Alix Beauchamps (3:26:05), Estelle Morel (3:26:47), Marie Mesnil (3:26:48) and Marion Blanchet (3:28:11). The top 10 all finished within seven minutes of one another, apart from Carlat, who was in a class of her own on Sunday.

Clément Leduc comes within touching distance of 29 minutes over 10K

The Silver-status short race also drew 12,000 runners to the start line. Clément Leduc delivered a standout performance to win in 29:26, just shy of the symbolic 29-minute barrier. “I bluffed by attacking hard with 800 metres to go. I was really suffering, but it worked,” he said, gasping at the finish. Maxime Lopes was only two seconds back in 29:28, ahead of Pierre Boudy, third in 29:45. Julien Le Cozler (30:13) and Charles Pecriaux (30:31) took fourth and fifth respectively, ahead of Marwane Hamdaoui (31:20). Fabien Pondaven (31:41), the first M0H masters runner, finished ahead of Jérémy Legout (31:42), Kévin Landier (31:52) and Nicolas Le Courric (31:54), completing a top 10 in which six runners broke 31 minutes.

Camille Daniel takes the women's 10K

In the women's race, Camille Daniel won in 34:02, finishing eleven seconds ahead of Noémie Zamia (34:13) and 31 seconds ahead of Eva Coutant (34:33), who completed the podium. “I came looking for the win more than a time, so I'm really happy to win at home in my first Tours 10K,” said the day's winner. Cloé Hotte (35:05) and Jenipher Contois (35:11) followed, ahead of Louison Cureau (35:56). Mahauld Granier (36:04), the first masters runner, finished ahead of Louise Loisel (36:06), Emma Guilloux (36:12), the only junior in the top 10, and Marine Aubry (36:32).

Julien Casoli dominates the para race

Finally, in the para race, Julien Casoli dominated the field in 31:58, ahead of Ali Mehiaoui (36:30) and Yasser Musanganya (37:45 gun time, but 35:53 chip time, reflecting a slightly staggered start). Willy Couderc (47:26), Romain Guerineau (48:46) and Armand Grammont (48:55) completed the men's top six, followed by Tony Massiot (52:31) and Bryce Chesnais (52:38). Among the women, Claire Mege posted the fastest time in 57:17, ahead of Nathalie Bennett, the only other woman in the published results, eighth overall in 59:24.

See you next year, with a year to go before drinks at Place Plumereau

Twenty-one thousand pairs of trainers, a mayor converted to running, a vintage Félix Bour performance and times that will keep the conversation going until the next edition. Tours once again proved that running can turn an entire city into one huge playground, with crowds lining the Loire quays and the scent of rillettes waiting for finishers at Place Plumereau. The organisers can put away the race numbers with a smile, the athletes can nurse their tired legs with pride, and everyone can look ahead to 2027 and another battle on the streets of Touraine. For now, it's time for a well-earned glass of Bourgueil.