European Running Championships: Yann Schrub and France Take 10K Gold in Brussels

A day after Jimmy Gressier’s emphatic half-marathon win, France delivered another commanding team performance in Leuven on Sunday, this time over 10K. Yann Schrub led the charge with a superb European title, while Étienne Daguinos completed a French one-two with a well-earned silver. Just as the day before, the celebration was a collective one: France also claimed team gold. A perfect weekend for the French squad, now sitting atop the European scene.

A French duo dominates the race from the front

The script was almost too good to be true. From the opening metres, attention quickly turned to the blue jerseys. Yann Schrub and Etienne Daguinos soon took control, alongside Belgian Isaac Kimeli. 5K split: 13:50 (2:46/km). The French pair took turns at the front, each trying to shake off the Belgian runner. Etienne Daguinos spent plenty of time leading, while Kimeli held firm to stay with the front group. It all came down to the final straight, where Metz native Yann Schrub made the difference with his speed. With 500m to go, he launched a devastating surge that dropped both of his rivals. The 2023 European cross-country champion, 28-year-old Yann Schrub crossed the line in 27:37 (2:46/km) and let his joy erupt. A new personal best and, above all, a European title.

Behind him, Étienne Daguinos never let up. The Bordeaux native, whose speciality is the 10K, hung on to finish second in 27:46 (2:47/km). Belgian Isaac Kimeli completed the podium, taking bronze in 27:58.

Just seconds short of a French clean sweep, Fabien Palcau finished just off the podium (4th in 28:05), a frustrating result, but he played a key role in France’s team success.

Two in two for France: team victory

With three men in the top four, it was hard to ask for more. And the good news did not stop there: thanks to solid performances from Simon Bédard (20th in 28:39) and Baptiste Guyon (35th in 29:12), France claimed another European team title. The second in two days. After the half-marathon, the French team also dominated the continental scene over 10K.

This team victory was also the product of long-term work, healthy competition between athletes and the rise of complementary profiles. A powerful display that puts French middle-distance runners at the forefront of the European and global scene.

I’m very happy. I have two gold medals, so it’s a great day, for me and for the French team. My legs felt good today. It’s a championship race, so I decided not to lead and save something for the final 200 metres.
Yann Schrub

France’s women also return to the team podium

While the depth is not yet comparable on the women’s side, the French runners seized their opportunity with determination. Led by an impressive and committed Mekdes Woldu (8th in 31:43), the French women’s team won bronze, their first senior team medal on the road since 2015. “It’s incredible!” Having recently broken the French marathon record, she could finally savour her first collective medal in the blue jersey. Behind her, Léonie Périault (12th in 32:11) and Aude Clavier (19th in 32:34) held their positions perfectly, backed up by Célia Tabet (25th in 32:44) and Coraline Maâmouri (71st in 34:36). A performance that says plenty about this group’s emerging potential.

Marathon disappointment despite the fight

The French marathoners did not enjoy the same success as the first edition of the European Running Championships came to a close. In the women’s race, Mélody Julien (10th in 2:33:41) and Clémence Calvin (11th in 2:34:20) tried to match the pace set by the Spanish runners, but could not stay with them in the second half. The men’s race proved difficult for the French as well: Michaël Gras, hampered by a muscle contracture, finished well outside his usual standards (36th in 2:42:05), while Benjamin Choquert and Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse were forced to drop out with muscle injuries.

| With seven medals, including four European titles, France leaves Leuven as the undisputed leader of this first European Running Championships. A weekend of success, unity and promise for the future. Gold for the men, bronze for the women and a renewed team spirit. With the Tokyo World Championships only months away, the message is clear: France is in form and fully intends to keep shining. The world has been warned.

✔ All the results from the 2025 European Running Championships