Vannes Marathon 2025 delivers Breton spirit, fast times and plenty of emotion

This weekend, the 25th edition of the Vannes Marathon brought runners of every kind to the roads of Morbihan: seasoned racers, first-timers, relay teams, families and curious spectators. With its festive atmosphere, postcard scenery and strong performances, the race once again showed why it has become a fixture of the Breton autumn.

Sunday, September 28. From the start beneath the ramparts of the old town, the tone was set. Runners tackled a course that was both demanding and spectacular, taking in historic lanes, lively quays, coastal sections overlooking the Gulf of Morbihan and quieter stretches through the woods. In Vannes, you are not running solely against the clock. The views are part of the race too. The crowds, as reliable as ever, played their part to the full. Bands, improvised brass sections, residents lining windows and crossroads, the encouragement never let up. That blend of celebration and effort is the DNA of the Vannes Marathon.

Pace, grit and spectacular scenery

The 9:30 a.m. start set a brisk pace from the outset. The favourites quickly moved to the front, determined to make their mark on this anniversary edition. The first 20 kilometres disappeared in a smooth rhythm, but once the race left the city, the course began to test tired legs: sneaky climbs, sharp accelerations out of corners and seemingly endless false flats.

The marathon's famous wall arrived between the 30th and 35th kilometres, leaving several contenders by the wayside. Lined by dense crowds, the final kilometres brought runners back towards the finish at the Parc des Expositions du Chorus. Arms went up there, and more than a few eyes filled with tears. Whatever the time, finishing was the most valuable victory of all.

Some marathons are more than races; they are genuine shared experiences. This weekend, the 25th edition of the Vannes Marathon brought runners of every kind to the roads of Morbihan: seasoned racers, first-timers, relay teams, families and curious spectators. With its festive atmosphere, postcard scenery and strong performances, the race once again showed why it has become a fixture of the Breton autumn.

Olivier Frémy and Mélissa Fretaud take the wins

The 2025 Vannes Marathon delivered a spectacle that was both demanding and gripping. Olivier Frémy, a Nantes native, appears to have Vannes' coastal trails under his skin. A familiar face on the local racing scene with an impressive record, including a 2022 victory, he was first to raise his arms for a second Vannes Marathon win, clocking 2:30:01 for a new course record. He had already made his mark in previous editions and at Auray-Vannes two weeks earlier, where he ran 1:09:33. On a demanding course that offered few easy stretches, the winner managed his effort well while still taking in the scenery and festive atmosphere.

Behind him, Christian Dréan claimed second in 2:36:34 after a tactical race in which he worked his way up the standings and capitalised on the twists and turns of the course. David Jaffré completed the men's podium in 2:37:26. In the women's race, Mélissa Fretaud led the field home in 3:07:47, ahead of Laëtitia Le Corre (3:14:12) and Hélena Chenot (3:14:34). The battle stayed tight, with places changing hands right up to the final kilometre and a fiercely contested race that kept the crowd hooked.

Much more than a marathon

The event was about more than 42.195 kilometres in Brittany. Vannes also offered the Duo de l’Hermine, the Corporate Relay, a 20 km race, the Gwened night race and even a short 5 km. There was a distance and format for everyone, along with a chance to soak up the weekend's unique atmosphere. The volunteers and organisers won widespread praise too, with smooth aid stations, a well-marked course and logistics that ran like clockwork. A few runners noted that some sections were a little narrow, but nothing that took away from the overall experience.

The 2025 Vannes Marathon delivered everything you want from a major mass-participation event: racing, shared moments, emotion and plenty of breathtaking scenery. For some, it was a time-based victory. For others, it was redemption after an injury, a first marathon or a relay adventure. For everyone, it was a lasting memory, the kind that stays with you. And already, a small idea is taking root in plenty of minds: come back next year and relive the mix of sweat, cheers, music and sea air. In Vannes, every stride carries the scent of Brittany.

✔ All the results from the 2025 edition of the Vannes Marathon