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Anaïs Quemener and Guillaume Ruel shine at Réunion’s Marathon de la Corniche

CL
By Clément Laborieux

Published on Thu, September 10, 2026

Updated on Thu, September 10, 2026

Anaïs Quemener and Guillaume Ruel shine at Réunion’s Marathon de la Corniche
© tkickjams37

On Sunday, August 10, 2025, Réunion woke to the sound of runners. At first light, several hundred athletes lined up for the Marathon de la Corniche, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Two familiar faces from French running had made the trip: Anaïs Quemener and Guillaume Ruel. Neither left empty-handed, with both taking victory in 2:51:34 and 2:24:38 respectively. This edition delivered a memorable show, combining strong performances, shared moments and scenery that was simply breathtaking.

A unique race between ocean and mountains

For its third edition, the Marathon de la Corniche delivered a memorable spectacle. Following the coastline along the Nouvelle Route du Littoral, the race takes runners through an exceptional panorama, between the waves of the Indian Ocean and Réunion’s majestic peaks. Its long straights make it relatively fast, but the course is still undulating, with several climbs adding up to around 150 m of elevation gain. Fast-running yet demanding, it offers participants an unforgettable experience. Organised by the Association Sportive Rando Camélias (ASRC), this year’s race also served as the regional marathon championship, in partnership with the Ligue Réunionnaise d’Athlétisme. Alongside the headline distance, the programme included a half marathon and a 15 km race, giving everyone the chance to experience this sporting adventure.

On Sunday, August 10, 2025, Réunion woke to the sound of runners. At first light, several hundred athletes lined up for the Marathon de la Corniche, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Two familiar faces from French running had made the trip: Anaïs Quemener and Guillaume Ruel. Neither left empty-handed, with both taking victory in 2:51:34 and 2:24:38 respectively. This edition delivered a memorable show, combining strong performances, shared moments and scenery that was simply breathtaking.© tkickjams37
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, Réunion woke to the sound of runners. At first light, several hundred athletes lined up for the Marathon de la Corniche, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Two familiar faces from French running had made the trip: Anaïs Quemener and Guillaume Ruel. Neither left empty-handed, with both taking victory in 2:51:34 and 2:24:38 respectively. This edition delivered a memorable show, combining strong performances, shared moments and scenery that was simply breathtaking.© tkickjams37
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, Réunion woke to the sound of runners. At first light, several hundred athletes lined up for the Marathon de la Corniche, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Two familiar faces from French running had made the trip: Anaïs Quemener and Guillaume Ruel. Neither left empty-handed, with both taking victory in 2:51:34 and 2:24:38 respectively. This edition delivered a memorable show, combining strong performances, shared moments and scenery that was simply breathtaking.© tkickjams37
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, Réunion woke to the sound of runners. At first light, several hundred athletes lined up for the Marathon de la Corniche, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Two familiar faces from French running had made the trip: Anaïs Quemener and Guillaume Ruel. Neither left empty-handed, with both taking victory in 2:51:34 and 2:24:38 respectively. This edition delivered a memorable show, combining strong performances, shared moments and scenery that was simply breathtaking.© tkickjams37

Anaïs Quemener and Guillaume Ruel dominate

Born to a Réunionese mother, Anaïs Quemener returned to her roots on the island she calls home, where part of her family still lives. It was the perfect opportunity to test her form. Holding a personal best of 2:28:48, set in Seville in 2024, the La Meute Running athlete chose a cautious start as she continues her gradual return to the highest level following the birth of her child. The toughest sections of the course took their toll, but the solidarity and encouragement of the runners around her helped her maintain her pace. As has become something of a tradition since the happy event, she crossed the finish line with her son in her arms. Her final time was 2:51:34, enough for the women’s title.

In the men’s race, Guillaume Ruel ran a perfectly controlled race, crossing the line in 2:24:38. Running alongside Madagascar’s Rivosoa Andrianiria through 27 km, he then moved clear to race solo to victory. Impressed by the scenery throughout the course, the Pays Saint-Lois Athlétisme athlete said after the race that it was one of the most beautiful marathons he had run in his career. The 2021 French 100 km champion, who owns a marathon personal best of 2:14:48 set in Rennes in 2023, is currently preparing for another fast marathon before the end of the year. After that, his focus will turn to his major goal: the 2026 100 km World Championships, where he dreams of breaking the world record. At 27, he is no longer merely a rising star, but one of the world’s best ultra-distance specialists.

Among the local runners, Jean-Eddy Laurent, a regular on the trails, finished in 2:45:27 as the first Réunionese athlete. In the women’s race, Marie-Elzie Emma took the title in 3:35:31.

The Marathon de la Corniche
✔ Distance : 42.195 km
✔ Location : Saint-Denis, Réunion
✔ Date : August 10
✔ Number of participants : 230 (marathon) + 200 (half marathon) + 200 (15 km)
✔ Winners : Guillaume Ruel 2:24:38 (men), Anaïs Quemener 2:51:34 (women)

On Sunday, August 10, 2025, Réunion woke to the sound of runners. At first light, several hundred athletes lined up for the Marathon de la Corniche, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Two familiar faces from French running had made the trip: Anaïs Quemener and Guillaume Ruel. Neither left empty-handed, with both taking victory in 2:51:34 and 2:24:38 respectively. This edition delivered a memorable show, combining strong performances, shared moments and scenery that was simply breathtaking.© tkickjams37
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, Réunion woke to the sound of runners. At first light, several hundred athletes lined up for the Marathon de la Corniche, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Two familiar faces from French running had made the trip: Anaïs Quemener and Guillaume Ruel. Neither left empty-handed, with both taking victory in 2:51:34 and 2:24:38 respectively. This edition delivered a memorable show, combining strong performances, shared moments and scenery that was simply breathtaking.© tkickjams37
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, Réunion woke to the sound of runners. At first light, several hundred athletes lined up for the Marathon de la Corniche, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Two familiar faces from French running had made the trip: Anaïs Quemener and Guillaume Ruel. Neither left empty-handed, with both taking victory in 2:51:34 and 2:24:38 respectively. This edition delivered a memorable show, combining strong performances, shared moments and scenery that was simply breathtaking.
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, Réunion woke to the sound of runners. At first light, several hundred athletes lined up for the Marathon de la Corniche, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Two familiar faces from French running had made the trip: Anaïs Quemener and Guillaume Ruel. Neither left empty-handed, with both taking victory in 2:51:34 and 2:24:38 respectively. This edition delivered a memorable show, combining strong performances, shared moments and scenery that was simply breathtaking.

Running a marathon in such an unusual setting is a rare privilege, and the return of this race reflects the growing interest in running across Réunion. Anaïs Quemener and Guillaume Ruel’s victories perfectly capture the spirit of the event: a meeting point for recreational runners and professionals, where the joy of running and the pursuit of performance come together. For one race, two champions shared the road with hundreds of amateurs dreaming of completing 42.195 km beside the ocean. We are already looking forward to the 2026 edition.

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