Mont Ventoux Half Marathon brings Chahdi, Roudolff-Levisse, Polin and 1,600 runners to the start line

Widely regarded as Europe’s toughest half marathon, the Mont Ventoux Kookabarra Half Marathon covers 21.6 km and 1,610 m of elevation gain. This Sunday, July 6, the race will welcome a compelling field in Bédoin, with Hassan Chahdi, Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse and Benjamin Polin all taking on the slopes of the iconic Mont Ventoux, aiming to raise their arms at the finish line 1,910 m above sea level.

A showdown is brewing among the favourites

If a major champion is expected to triumph on July 22 in the 16th stage of the Tour de France, the same could happen at the 13th edition of the Mont Ventoux Kookabarra Half Marathon. The headline names should put on quite a show on the slopes of Mont Chauve. In the women’s race, with two-time winner Anaïs Quemener absent, the action should be led by Anne Sophie Vittet (33:54 for 10 km), who finished third in 2024. She should be highly motivated to reach the top step of the podium this year. The road specialist will need to keep an eye on rivals including Agathe Violleau (2:36:29 marathon), Morgane Riou, the 2021 European cross-triathlon champion, Léa Navarro (2:36:54 marathon), Kristin Colard (2:39:15 marathon) and Charline Heu (33:53 for 10 km). The course record has been held since 2023 by Anaïs Quemener in 1:48:05.

The men’s race is much harder to call. The defending champion (1:29:10) and French Olympic marathoner Hassan Chahdi will be on the start line in Bédoin to defend his crown. Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse, who clocked a superb 1:01:34 at the Valencia Half Marathon in 2024, will not be settling for second place. Also among the French contenders, Benjamin Polin, a 100 km international runner and two-time French marathon champion (2024 and 2025), will be looking to join the lead pack. Finally, Morocco’s Youssef Benhadi of SCO Ste Marguerite de Marseille (28:04 for 10 km) and Brice Morisseau (1:05:52) could also join the party.

Hassan Chahdi, Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse, Benjamin Polin and Floriane Hot take on the giant of Provence

The 2025 edition is already breaking records

You had to be quick even before race day to secure a place in the Mont Ventoux Kookabarra Half Marathon! Every bib was snapped up in under 40 minutes on the Finishers platform. Some 6,000 people joined the waiting list. The event’s popularity continues to grow in Provence. The participant record had already been broken at the previous edition, when 1,100 runners lined up in Bédoin. In 2025, 1,600 runners will take the start of the 13th Mont Ventoux Kookabarra Half Marathon. This year, Mont Chauve will also host a Tour de France stage that already promises to be explosive.

The riders of the Grande Boucle will take the same road as the half-marathon runners just 16 days after the event. The 1,600 starters will be able to race without worrying about traffic, as the road will be completely closed to cars, motorcycles and cyclists for the occasion. Under the direction of Bertrand Delhomme for the third edition, the Mont Ventoux Kookabarra Half Marathon has become a must-run event on the French running calendar. As the event continues to grow, the organising team is targeting national and international expansion in the years ahead, with new partners joining the project.

Europe’s toughest half marathon

The 1,600 brave runners taking the start face 21.6 km and 1,610 m of elevation gain. With an entirely uphill profile, the event is quite simply Europe’s toughest half marathon. Starting from the renowned village of Bédoin, runners will climb higher and higher before finally catching sight of the finish arch at the summit of Mont Ventoux. The field will pass the legendary Chalet Reynard before tackling the final switchbacks towards the summit.

The finish line sits at no less than 1,910 m above sea level. Every runner will be pushed to the limit, but the reward at the summit should match the effort required to get there. A unique setting and exceptional views await the bravest finishers. The Mont Ventoux Kookabarra Half Marathon course showcases the full richness of the Vaucluse department.

Race schedule

The day before the race, you can visit the official race village on Saturday, July 5, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m..

➜ SATURDAY, JULY 5, 2025

Bib collection
Official village opens

➜ SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2025

Race start at 8 a.m. in front of Place de la République, in the heart of Bédoin

✔ All the information is available on the official race website.