Running influencers: 10 French creators to follow in 2025

@mustapha.salmi__(Mustapha Salmi) 

Mustapha Salmi, the story of a guy who swapped his tennis racket for a pair of running shoes... and never looked back. On the tracks of Rouen and roads around the world, he stretches out his stride with a blend of drive and calm. The son of an Olympic marathoner, he has taken up the family torch, but in his own way: more connected, more modern and more focused on sharing. His social feeds are an extension of his breathing: vlogs, stories and posts where hard work meets humour and honesty. Known as Muss, he talks about his doubts as openly as his records, his sleepless nights as readily as his podium finishes, with no filter and no pretence. Between sessions, he has built a community that follows him as much for his performances as for his infectious good humour. Mus is a runner who inspires people to run better, but above all to run honestly, with the Trocadéro 10K now on his résumé. Just 25, he is already charting a course towards the great long-distance classics, with the marathon in his sights. A 2.0 athlete, part performer and part storyteller, proving that a stride can also make for a great story worth sharing.

@alicebruns (Alice Bruns) 

Alice is more the invaluable ally of a running culture that thinks as much as it sweats. Her account naturally features workouts, marathons and training stories, but above all, it gives space to conversations about pressure, norms, performance and the way women’s bodies are viewed in sport. The creator of an innovative “chess running club”, Alice Bruns doesn’t run to hit target paces, but to feel alive, free and aligned with herself. Through her “side quests”, she shares that journey with honesty, sensitivity and a genuine political awareness of sport. Inspiring without ever becoming performative.

@joggeuse_ (Joséphine Bayle)

Joséphine Bayle is the undisputed rock star of French running social media. We’ve watched her cross France under her own steam, run from Paris to Milan as if it were a Sunday stroll, and climb Mont Ventoux in “easy” mode, all without ever losing her infectious energy. Beyond the sporting feats, what people love is the way she tells the story of effort: always with humour, simplicity and a generous dose of honesty. Set to take on one hell of a Paris-to-Los Angeles journey from 2027 ahead of the Olympics in the City of Angels, she shows her low points as readily as her big wins. That is probably why more than 160,000 people see themselves in her. Her posts smell of sweat, adventure and pushing limits, but also self-deprecating humour, Nutella crêpes and running buddies. Following @joggeuse_ is like having a friend who proves every day that running can be a celebration, a wild ride and a path back to yourself.

@clemquicourt (Clément Deffrenne)

Clément Deffrenne, aka @Clemquicourt, has become one of the most original figures in French trail running on Instagram and YouTube. With more than 400,000 followers, the runner who got his start in Lille has reached far beyond the ultra purist crowd thanks to his offbeat world, inspired by video games and pop culture. In his videos, he turns every race into a scripted adventure, complete with his famous “Kill Cams”, punchlines and deadpan humour. Behind the character is a genuine mountain enthusiast, capable of lining up for the toughest races on the calendar.

From the 50 km Dodo Trail eXtrême, with 3,000 m of elevation gain, to the Ultra Terrestre and the Diagonale des Fous, Clem has shown unwavering resilience, enough to earn a deal with Brooks this year. At UTMB 2025 a few weeks ago, his popularity went through the roof again: between selfies, encouragement and live appearances, he seemed to be running almost as much for his fans as for himself. That mix of performance, sincerity and unapologetic entertainment makes Clem a new icon, one who can bring trail running to a wider audience and show that you can take the effort seriously without taking yourself too seriously. Authentic, generous and creative, the Mauritian by adoption perfectly embodies a generation of runner-influencers breaking the mould and reinventing how they share their passion.

@runningaddictfr (Nicolas Spiess)

Behind @runningaddictfr is Nicolas Spiess, aka Niko, a passionate runner who has turned his love of the sport into a leading platform for running. For years, he has shared training advice, gear reviews and thoughts on running through a blog read by hundreds of thousands, an app (campus.coach) and an Instagram account with more than 137,000 followers. His mantra is clear: “train seriously without taking yourself too seriously.” A philosophy that appeals to beginners and seasoned marathoners alike. Niko covers everything from progression, nutrition and recovery to motivation and the pure joy of running, always with an accessible teaching style. He has built a tight-knit community where people come for inspiration, practical answers and, above all, positive energy. Through his podcast, videos and regular posts, Running Addict has firmly established himself as a modern, digital runner who can support athletes at every stage of their journey. More than a simple influencer, he has become a mentor for a generation of runners looking for balance between performance and enjoyment.

@coursptitetomate (Marine Gibard) 

“Coursptitetomate” delights her 127,000 followers and has become an essential figure in the Instagram running and trail community. A six-time marathoner, Marine Gibard alternates between tarmac and mountains with the same infectious energy. Creator of @pepinrunningclub and a member of the @campus.coach team, she shares her daily life as a passionate runner: preparation for the UTMB OCC, trail tips such as what to pack for a 57 km race, and light-hearted thoughts on the challenges of pacing in the hills. Behind her approachable tone and good humour, she inspires a huge community of runners who find both serious training content and a healthy dose of fun in her posts.

@wakeupmanon (Manon)

Less focused on pure performance than on passion, Manon stands by a simple credo: “We’re not pros, we’re passionate!” Followed by 15.8K people, @wakeupmanon shares her times, 10K in 44:59, half marathon in 1:40:47 and marathon in 3:30:21, with refreshing transparency. Her account mixes Paris races, long runs recorded on Strava and finish-line smiles. In a world where comparison comes easily, she represents an accessible, motivating and pressure-free vision of running that resonates with a whole generation of amateur athletes.

@marinoret (Marine Noret)

With 84,000 followers, Marine Noret has carved out a distinctive space between sport, lifestyle and the outdoors. An athletes and talent manager at @onemoremile.fr, she embodies a dual role as behind-the-scenes operator and inspiring creator. Her feed moves from cycling photos and mountain landscapes to more personal glimpses of daily life, all wrapped in a natural aesthetic. Her mantra, “Fueled by passion”, neatly sums up her approach: a genuine love of outdoor effort, expressed both through her work and her content. A discreet but dependable figure on the French outdoor scene. Following @marinoret means stepping into the everyday life of a passionate runner, moving between impressive times, compelling race reports and humorous asides.

@fannymesenvies (Fanny Fernandez)

Fanny radiates energy and authenticity. Based in Aix-en-Provence, @fannymesenvies juggles her job as a real-estate agent with life as a passionate marathoner. With eight marathons under her belt and a best of 3:04:47, she has shown that commitment and performance can go hand in hand. But what draws people in is the way she tells her race stories. In Boston, Fanny Fernandez described Newton’s punishing hills and her “tears of happiness” at the finish, delivering a raw and honest account. On Instagram, she shares her training as readily as sun-soaked moments from everyday life, always in the same positive voice. Her community follows her as much for her times as for her infectious good humour. She embodies the accomplished yet approachable marathoner, close to her followers and proud to live her passion to the full.

@casquetteverte (Alexandre Boucheix)

There was no way to finish this top 10 without him, and the unconditional love for trail running that defines him. With a fluorescent cap permanently fixed to his head, a voice instantly recognisable and a sharp sense of humour, Alexandre Boucheix has become, in just a few years, the most recognisable figure in French-speaking running. The strength of France’s best-known green cap isn’t (just) his ability, but the way he tells the story. The pre-race nerves, disastrous aid stations, rain-soaked training sessions, doubts and lack of motivation all make the cut. Always with the same blend of self-deprecation, sincerity and infectious enjoyment. @casquetteverte has proved that you can talk seriously about running without ever taking yourself too seriously. And for that, he is irreplaceable.