Amiens Marathon brings more than 1,600 runners together for a day of celebration

There was no Somme 100K this year, but the entire day was devoted to long-distance running. The major change in this edition was the way the races were scheduled. Last year, the Somme 100K took place on the same day, allowing the different distances to start together in the morning. This time, the Amicale du Val de Somme half marathon and the Amiens Métropole Marathon took center stage on Sunday. Despite the gloomy weather, the change did nothing to dampen the participants' motivation as they set out to brighten up a gray autumn day.

Half marathon runners were lucky enough to get a relatively kind start, with neither rain nor bright sunshine, and temperatures that were well suited to racing. A fickle wind occasionally put a brake on their momentum. Several of the Somme region's leading runners answered the call, including Brahim Zouaoui, a familiar name among local winners, and Aurélien Dassonneville, the 2024 French 100K champion.

In the marathon, the rain had the upper hand, cooling the runners down while making their task more difficult. But as the skies darkened, the times brightened the day. Ultra-distance runner Julien Nison lived up to his status and added his name to the race's history after winning the 100K in 2023.

A course built for fast times

For both the half marathon and the marathon, the course was designed to suit newcomers and experienced runners chasing a fast time. Stretching along the Somme Canal, the route remained quick despite two short climbs. Runners set off on a paved road, Avenue des Cygnes, near Parc du Grand Marais, heading towards Camon. For more than 12 km, they followed the river, alternating between concrete paths and softer sections before joining the famous Chemin de Halage, a beautiful riverside path lined with flower-filled homes in the hortillonnages.

At the end of this section, the runners turned around and passed back near the city center before returning towards Parc du Grand Marais. The 21st-kilometer marker stood there, marking the halfway point for the marathon runners. Their race continued towards Picquigny, a small town known for its Château race. They then retraced their steps along the Chemin de la Marine before crossing the finish line beneath the park's covered market hall.

The half marathoners, meanwhile, simply ran an out-and-back along the Somme to Picquigny. Hélène Lemay, representing US Camon and a regular marathon runner, summed it up: “If you want to set a personal best, this is perfect.” Perrine Ysbaert, a local runner who finished 10th in the half marathon in 1:39, agreed: “It was a beautiful course, and seeing the other runners on the way out and back is motivating! It’s really fast.”

Strong podium performances in the half marathon

Brahim Zouaoui took the win in 1:11:12 after a head-to-head race with Aurélien Dassonneville, who was hampered by pain but determined not to give in. Aware of the French 100K champion's endurance, the Amicale du Val de Somme athlete knew he would have to make his move in the closing kilometers. That is exactly what he did, two kilometers from the finish. “Whenever I put in a surge, I could see that he didn’t have the speed. I told myself I’d stay tucked in with him until the last two kilometers, then drop him with a sustained push.” The masters athlete will soon line up for the Houilles and Lille 10Ks, aiming to break 31:30 for a new personal best.

The winner of the most recent Somme 100K, Aurélien Dassonneville, had been dealing with inflammation in his leg before the start. He therefore approached the race as a test after two weeks of training exclusively on the bike. That did not stop him from setting a distance personal best: “At the beginning, I felt good. We went out at 3:15 per kilometer, faster than planned. But on the way back, with the wind, we slowed down. It was only in the last four or five kilometers that my foot finally left me alone. I tried to hold the pace and the position. That’s already very good!” The podium was completed by Robin Dourlens, a recent arrival in the metropolitan area who was running his first half marathon, accompanied by his partner Anaïs Maquinghen. “I ran 1:12:51, exactly what I was aiming for. I managed to catch the third-place runner I had in my sights. It was a real chase all the way to the final kilometer!”

Anne-Laure Salomon, from RCA Triathlon, led the women's race and crossed the finish line in 1:23:47. Running only her second half marathon, Anaïs Maquinghen, more accustomed to trails and 10Ks, put in a strong performance. She lowered her personal best by ten minutes and crossed the line in 1:24:48 without showing any sign of exhaustion. She enjoyed the “fast course,” running in the footsteps of her father and coach at Boulogne AC. It was also only the second race at the distance for Louisa Dezaele, who trains alone three to four times a week. Arriving barely five minutes before the start, she secured an excellent third place in 1:30:17, while her local partner finished a little farther back.

42.195 km and victories decided by grit

The men's marathon was won in 2:32:53. It was a huge relief for Julien Nison, an ultra-endurance runner who won the 100K two years ago in 6:39 and was selected for the French team at last year's World Championships, forcing him to miss the local race. “The last four kilometers were a battle against myself. Usually, those are paces I can handle. Maybe I had a slight bout of hypoglycemia, even though I fueled properly, or perhaps it was the cold.” Struggling, as was his wife, who had to drop out, he finished well outside his personal best of 2:24 but was still satisfied: “It’s not the sub-2:30 time I was hoping for, but I don’t think anyone managed their goal today.”

Behind him, runner-up Boris Estrine, a masters athlete, had not even planned to run a marathon. “I was only supposed to do a training session for next week’s 5K final... and then my legs felt good.” Carried by the wind until the 32-kilometer mark, he struggled late in the race but kept smiling: “With better health and a bit more depth in the field, it could have been even better!” Léo Crowet, a regular on the Amiens Marathon podium, came down from the Nord to take third place, which felt like a win. He developed blisters under his feet as early as the 30th kilometer but held on to the end: “ I gritted my teeth! The goal was to recover from Rouen, which I ran three weeks ago. It’s one of my slower times, but we went out too fast.”

The women's race went to Virginie Cochereau of Blois, who won in 3:15:54. “Running a marathon in the afternoon was a first for me. I’m absolutely delighted to win, even if it’s not an exceptional time.” She came with her husband, also a runner, and was discovering Amiens: “We chose this marathon for the cathedral. It’s our tenth. We never run the same one twice.” Behind her, Sandra Humbert, from the Nord, set a personal best despite a difficult finish. “I’m happy, but a little disappointed. I went out too fast and the finish was hard with the wind. Luckily, my children and my husband were there cheering me on.” Gwendoline Cerouter, showing both courage and clear-headedness, relied on grit after having to stop at 15 kilometers: “I hung on. I saw other women crack, and you have to say that you draw a little strength from that to keep going. I wanted to run 3:30, and I ran 3:34, but with a stop, it still counts. Honestly, I didn’t believe I could do it at all. It’s brilliant!”

Volunteers, the essential link in every race

There is no question that road races could not exist without them. Some people turn up occasionally to lend a hand, while others are fixtures, familiar faces at every edition. Marie Dubuc is one of them. Present at all of the Amicale du Val de Somme's events, more than six a year, she was on hand once again, a little tired but well supported, notably by her son, whom she brought into the world of volunteering. Everyone knows her name. Gilles, another volunteer, smiled: “Marie is the star of the volunteers!” He is also a regular. A committed runner, he wants to give something back to the people who usually cheer him on at races.

Originally from Reims, he was managing the flow of runners that morning: “Last Sunday, I ran a half marathon in Reims. I appreciated the volunteers’ work, and today it’s my turn. ” He even manages to combine both roles. At his club's next event in December, he will volunteer at 7 a.m. and race at 10 a.m. Mathilde Gillon, a member of the Amicale du Val de Somme for 20 years and part of its board, coordinates the team responsible for medals and the post-race refreshments. She perfectly summed up the spirit of the day: “I like the connection with people, seeing them smile... Because without volunteers, there is no race. Helping one another matters, and it feels good on a human level. We all need that.” More than 150 volunteers helped ensure the day ran smoothly.

Making some noise for the finishers who made it home

Under the park's large covered hall, around a hundred supporters had gathered to cheer the marathon finishers. The half marathon was not short on encouragement either. The members of the Brigade du kiff were not racing on Sunday, but there was no chance they would stay on the sidelines. This group of childhood friends, all runners in their spare time, came to cheer on one of their own, colorful signs in hand and contagious good humor in abundance. They were there from the 5-kilometer mark through to the finish, bringing the atmosphere wherever they went. Their friend Raphaël Viguier experienced a particularly memorable edition, both personally and competitively: “It feels good to see them again at the finish. This is my third marathon, but the first time I’ve had a goal. I wanted to run 3:35, I went faster, and that’s partly thanks to them!”

This year's Amiens event once again made a strong impression, despite the absence of the Somme 100K. The runners in the Amiens Métropole Marathon and the Amicale du Val de Somme half marathon brought energy to the city's riverside paths through their determination and commitment.

✔ Find all the results for the Amiens marathon and half marathon.