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Leclerc Gouesnou Brest Métropole: Maël Sicot, Marie Lohéac-Bouchard, and Maël Gouyette Shine in Brittany
In Gouesnou, Brittany’s running spirit was alive and kicking. On Sunday, under a dramatic Brest sky ready to burst, Maël Sicot made a triumphant comeback, winning the Leclerc Gouesnou Brest Métropole 10K in 30:19 after a tough year of setbacks. Marie Lohéac-Bouchard dominated the women’s race with a commanding 33:42, setting a new course record, while Maël Gouyette lit up the 5K with a sensational 14:01, adding a touch of Olympic flair to an already fiery weekend. A total of 1,800 runners, records, tears, and smiles — Brittany put on quite a show.
October 12, 2025 — Gouesnou (Finistère, France) was buzzing with energy. The Leclerc Gouesnou Brest Métropole wasn’t just another race; it doubled as the 2025 Brittany Championships, offering local runners a stage to display grit, endurance, and ambition. With 1,800 participants across the 5K and 10K — a new record for the event — the atmosphere was electric. The program was simple but sharp: 5K at 3:15 p.m., 10K at 4:15 p.m. The 10K course, split into two 5K loops, mixed fast sections with subtle climbs — perfect for strategists. And the race delivered exactly what the crowd came for.
| Maël Sicot: The Return of the King
When a wounded champion returns, there’s always a mix of curiosity and caution. For Maël Sicot, this race was all about redemption — a battle between body and mind. Twice a winner here in 2022 and 2023, Sicot missed last year’s edition with a stubborn quad injury. Few expected him at full strength. Yet from the opening kilometer, he was right up front — setting the pace, throwing punches, testing reactions.
At the 5K mark, the course record-holder (29:15 in 2022) and his rivals were already moving fast — 15:03 for the halfway split. What followed was what he later called “a dance with pain”: each surge a gamble, every response a test of nerve. Sicot attacked again around the 4th km, forced his rivals to dig deep, and by 8 km, only Benoît Fanouillère could hang on. The final stretch turned into a psychological duel — and it was Sicot who raised his arms first in 30:19, just ahead of Fanouillère (30:24).
“I wasn’t the strongest today — maybe just the smartest,” he admitted, eyes misty at the finish line. His runner-up Fanouillère, gracious in defeat, confessed he had “no excuses”: “My legs didn’t follow, but full respect to the winner.”
Just behind them, rising star Maël Henric took third in 30:25, proving that youth and audacity can shake the hierarchy. For Sicot, this win was more than a title — it was the story of a warrior back on his feet, wiser, tougher, and unwilling to let go of his crown.
| Marie Lohéac-Bouchard’s Hat Trick
If anyone embraced her status as favorite, it was Marie Lohéac-Bouchard. The reigning French 10K champion (2025)came to Gouesnou with a clear goal: reclaim her title and take down the course record. Mission accomplished.
In 33:42, the Brest-based medical intern obliterated the previous record (33:53 in 2024) and led from start to finish. “I went out aiming for around 33:30 and stayed in a good pack where the pace felt right,” she explained afterward. For the Paimpol native, it’s a third consecutive victory on this course — and her most convincing yet.
Her pragmatism makes sense: beyond this win, Lohéac-Bouchard has her eyes on cross-country selection races(Allonnes, Carhaix) and possibly the European Championships. This home performance was a statement. The women’s podium looked familiar: Laëtitia Bleunven (35:24) and Mazarine Amis (35:37) rounded out the top three — exactly the same order as last year. Consistency, it seems, is the trademark of Brittany’s finest.
| 5K Showdown: Gouyette’s Authority, Nédélec’s Rise
Before the 10K runners took off, the 5K had already set the tone. Fast and fierce, it was all about who could hold their nerve. Maël Gouyette, the 1,500m specialist who represented France at the Paris 2024 Olympics, crushed the course record with 14:01, slicing 26 seconds off Benoît Campion’s previous best.
But the win didn’t come easy. Sébastien Nédélec fought hard, pushed midway, and finished just behind in 14:05 — a massive personal best and a sign he’s ready to chase sub-30:10 over 10K soon. Pierre Couzinier completed the men’s podium in 14:41.
In the women’s 5K, Gaëlle Muderhwa delivered a surprise by out-sprinting Marion Le Goff in the final stretch (both clocked 17:25), while Manon Le Fur secured third in 18:06.
| What This Edition Leaves Behind
Beyond the results, Gouesnou 2025 leaves a legacy worth noting:
- Record participation: With 1,800 runners, the event proves how deeply running is embedded in Brittany’s culture.
- Elite fields: Welcoming Olympians, national champions, and emerging stars, Gouesnou has become a staple on the regional racing calendar.
- Human stories: Sicot’s comeback, Gouyette’s post-injury brilliance, Lohéac-Bouchard’s balance between medicine and elite sport — each story adds soul to the stats.
- A launchpad for winter racing: Many use this as a stepping stone toward cross-country season and late-year objectives.
- Pride in regional identity: The Brittany Championship status gives every win extra meaning — a blend of rivalry and belonging that defines the local spirit.
✔ Full results of the 8th Leclerc Gouesnou Brest Métropole 5K and 10K are available here
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
