Puy-en-Velay International 15K: Our account of a spectacular 43rd edition

The legendary Puy-en-Velay 15K took place this Sunday, May 3, in Haute-Loire. The 2026 edition set a new participation record and delivered a string of outstanding performances, led by local favourite Louis Michel and international runner Mélanie Allier, the leading French finishers on the day.

In Puy-en-Velay, a distinctive little city tucked among the mountains of Haute-Loire, the International 15K has always had a special character. Locals regard it as a genuine world championship, and the eagerly awaited event celebrates both sporting endeavour and the beauty of the city. Against a unique backdrop of volcanic terrain and historic landmarks, the race has forged an identity of its own. It is more than a race: it is a deeply rooted tradition.

At 3:30 p.m. on May 3, the 43rd edition got under way beneath the watchful eye of the imposing Statue of Notre-Dame de France, perched on its volcanic outcrop. Despite unpredictable gusts, some 2,200 runners gave everything on the demanding, varied course, lifted by an unwavering groundswell of local support. Once again, the spectacle lived up to its reputation.

Kenya keeps its crown

As it does every year, the Uganda-Kenya duel produced a superb contest with a gripping script. The leading group made a cautious start and remained tightly packed, bringing together the favourites, including several runners from Auvergne such as Louis Michel, Thibaut Imbert, Emmanuel Meyssat and Damien Monier, the former professional cyclist who won a Giro stage in 2010.

The succession of climbs and descents shattered the group, setting up a two-man battle for the win between Kenyan Charles Rotich and Ugandan Feb Chelegoï. Despite leading until the final kilometre of the second lap, Feb Chelegoï (44:02) was overhauled by Charles Rotich, who found the resources to take the win in 44:01. Kenyan Brian Kipchumba completed the men’s podium in 44:52.

In the women’s race, Kenyan Brenda Keneï killed off the suspense from the gun, setting a pace her rivals could not match. Untouchable in 49:17, the winner finished ahead of compatriots Rebecca Chepkwemoi in 50:42 and Naomi Chepkorir in 51:48 to complete a runaway Kenyan clean sweep.

The legendary Puy-en-Velay 15K took place this Sunday, May 3, in Haute-Loire. The 2026 edition set a new participation record and delivered a string of outstanding performances, led by local favourite Louis Michel and international runner Mélanie Allier, the leading French finishers on the day.

Louis Michel rules at home

If one French runner, and especially one local runner, made a statement, it was Ponot Louis Michel. After an abandonment in 2024, the middle-distance runner had unfinished business. Buoyed by his recent form, a 28:52 at the Prom’Classic in Nice in January and 1:03:27 at the Paris Half Marathon in March, he approached the race with ambition, but also with a clear head.

This time, the rising star turned his frustration into a breakthrough, finishing seventh in an outstanding 45:43. The Vellave, who represents Clermont Auvergne Athlétisme, took the best local mark from fellow Ponot Thibaut Imbert of Velay Athlétisme (47:22 this year).

I’ve rarely enjoyed a race as much as this one. It was a home race, so I had an incredible amount of support and was really carried by that energy. The first part was pretty fast, but it’s not easy to hold an even pace on a course like this. The leaders were attacking each other, so I preferred to sit back and wait. I let myself drop on the climb because I knew the times of the runners ahead and decided not to follow them. We ended up as a group of three, I felt good and took most of the turns at the front until the 12th kilometre. Then I found myself alone and covered the final two kilometres at a good pace. I learned from my mistakes in previous editions. This time was pure joy.
Louis Michel

Behind him, Jean-Baptiste Michaux (46:40) and Emmanuel Meyssat (46:46) underlined the depth of the French field. Meyssat, who has 22 caps for the French team, had finished second in the French Vertical Running Championships in Gap just two days earlier.

Mélanie Allier delivers a superb performance

Behind the Kenyan trio, Drôme native Mélanie Allier also impressed, finishing as the first Frenchwoman. Fourth in 52:38, the multiple French champion produced a top-level performance on her debut in the race. The best local runner title once again went to Laurie Maleysson (55:35), less than a minute outside her personal best.

“I approached the race as something to enjoy and as a transition before returning to the track, because I’ve spent a lot of time chasing the clock lately. It was my first time taking part, and a chance to line up for a classic race I’d heard a lot about. In this kind of race, you come for the atmosphere, and I wasn’t disappointed because there were people all along the course. I regret not doing more hill work, because the two rises were very tough and getting over them was probably the hardest part. I was a little isolated at the start, then settled into a small group. Around halfway, we caught another runner and I did everything I could not to let go, moving up to fourth in the final three kilometres.”
Mélanie Allier

A hard-fought 5K and a 2K for the kids

The 15K remains the headline event, but the 5K, added to the programme six editions ago, continues to gather momentum. This year, 244 runners took the start. Ponot Fabien Rousson of Velay Athlétisme was first across the line in 15:02, ahead of clubmate Aurélien Rivet in 15:13 and Saber Fadil of OM Athlé in 15:42. The duel between the front two delighted spectators who had come to watch the battle unfold through the streets of Puy-en-Velay.

In the women’s race, Claire Serrecchia of AC Ondaine Firminy came out on top in 19:15, beating Nadège Locoge of Club Athletic Brioude in 19:22 and local runner Lison Malartre in 19:29.

Earlier in the day, the children’s races got the event under way, including a 2K that underlined the race’s commitment to passing the torch to the next generation.

Watch the Puy-en-Velay 15K live again

Edition after edition, the Puy-en-Velay 15K has preserved what makes it unique: a course that is as demanding as it is spectacular, an unusual distance, a rare atmosphere and deep local roots. Once again, the city pulsed to the rhythm of its 2,200 runners. Forty-three years after its creation, this unmissable fixture continues to bring together tradition, international elite competition and popular enthusiasm in a setting like no other.

➜ All the results from the Puy-en-Velay International 15K