Avignon Marathon makes a winning debut with more than 3,450 runners

Avignon had its Palais des Papes, its bridge and its festival. Now it has its own marathon. For its first edition, the city showcased its most precious assets: a rare historic setting, taking runners past the city walls, the Palais des Papes and the banks of the Rhône under summer skies. It was the backdrop for an unapologetic ambition: adding a sporting dimension to the cultural identity of this Vaucluse city.

A city behind the race from the first mile to the last

From the start on Boulevard Saint-Roch to the finish on Île de la Barthelasse, Europe's largest river island, supporters lined the route in force. The crowds turned out in large numbers and gave this first edition a genuine sense of collective celebration. The race would not have been the same without the 480 volunteers who gave up their weekend, or the various bands positioned along the course, keeping the atmosphere high and the rhythm moving.

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Marathon: Lilian Eudier makes history

Lilian Eudier (Harbat Running Lab) will forever be remembered as the first winner of the Avignon Marathon. His 2:28:52, an average pace of around 3:32 per kilometer, was enough for a comfortable victory, with a commanding margin of almost eight minutes over the runner-up. Guillaume Fabien (Loriolade, Loriol-du-Comtat) took second in 2:36:39. He finished ahead of Frédéric Monier (SCO Saint-Marguerite, Marseille), third in 2:38:18. Sébastien Plantevin (2:39:14) and Jordane Laborie (2:42:56) completed the top five.

In the women's race, Quebec's Jessica Bélisle ran alone at the front. Her winning time of 2:49:07, at close to 4:00 per kilometer, placed her 13th overall, among the men's field. Her infectious joy at the finish, as she held up the finish-line tape in front of the crowd, carried over onto her social media:

It took a lot of hard work and training, but it was all richly rewarded by this dream day. Now it's time for the off-season before starting my 2027 triathlon training.

She finished ten minutes ahead of Elodie Senter (Running Conseil Avignon), second in 2:59:48. Alice Olivier (SC Châteaurenard) completed the podium in 3:02:59. The battle for the remaining honors was much tighter. Jade Boisnard was fourth in 3:03:15, just 16 seconds off third place. Lucile Broséus rounded out the top five in 3:13:24.

Half marathon: one second separates teammates

The half marathon started at 8:00 a.m. and produced the day's closest finish. Walid Boumaza (OM Athlétisme) won in 1:10:27, one second ahead of his teammate Fadil Saber, who was timed in 1:10:28. The two runners from the same club crossed the line shoulder to shoulder. Cédric Gonhier (Val d'Europe Montévrain Athlétisme) took third in 1:13:12, just under three minutes back. In the women's race, Anaïs Cazeaux took the honors in 1:22:41. She was followed by Raphaëlle Korotchansky in 1:26:48 and Anna Gerez in 1:28:18.

The numbers behind a successful debut

The organizers recorded 1,728 marathon finishers, including 1,308 men and 420 women, and 1,729 half marathon finishers, including 942 men and 787 women, for a total of 3,457 finishers. According to the organizers' press release, participants came from 85 French departments, confirming that the event's appeal extends well beyond the region. The gender split is typical for the respective distances: women accounted for around 24% of marathon finishers, compared with nearly 45% in the half marathon, which remains the preferred entry point for many female runners.

The buzz was already clear before the starting gun. Bibs sold quickly, to the point that 393 of them, including 342 for the half marathon and 51 for the marathon, changed hands through the resale platform set up with Finishers. The first edition also had a charitable dimension. With €1 donated per bib, €10,500 was raised for Fonds AV'ENCE, which supports hospitals in Avignon and is backed by Charlotte de Turckheim.

A reward for those who make it to the finish

On Monday, September 28, NGE, a major event partner and France's fourth-largest construction group, honored the last runners to cross the finish line in both the half marathon and marathon. The initiative was carried out with two other partners, Avignon Tourisme and Novotel Avignon Centre. The two honorees received an official Avignon Marathon kit donated by NGE, a sightseeing pass for the Palais des Papes and Pont d'Avignon, and a one-hour aquatic pass for the Novaspa at Novotel Avignon Centre.

For Laurence Lelouvier, NGE's HR director, “behind every bib is a personal challenge, preparation and determination”. She said the company wanted to salute those who refused to give up before the finish, a quality she sees reflected in the group's professions. The gesture is a reminder that a race is also measured by the ability to see it through, whatever the finishing time.

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What's next?

The Avignon Marathon is already looking ahead. The race will receive its official label in 2027, an important step for an event aiming to become a major fixture in southern France. With such a spectacular setting, a strong turnout from the outset and an enthusiastic welcome from the public, Avignon has laid solid foundations. Now it needs to build on them next year.