© Romane Jacquin
Les Voies Royales de Saint-Denis 2025 : A Celebration of Running at the Stade de France
This Sunday, October 26, the Voies Royales de Saint-Denis brought together the elite of Parisian running for the marathon, half-marathon, international 10 km, and 5 km, all finishing together on the famous purple track of the Stade de France.
Both races were scheduled for 8 a.m., but it was ultimately the marathoners who had the privilege of starting first, followed about fifteen minutes later by the half-marathoners. The two distances favored the Belgians: Sébastien Mahiacompleted a double victory after winning last year’s 42.195 km race, while Grégoire Doison claimed the title over 21.0975 km.
The queen and king of the morning were none other than Bérénice Cleyet-Merle and Flavien Szot, the radiant couple, familiar faces on tracks across France and beyond, sometimes competing under the French national team colors in the 1,500 m. From the outset, the event continuously highlighted the boldest athletes. Victories, sometimes snatched at the finish line, thrilled a crowd eager for these podiums that felt like friendly battles. For beyond the competition, it is harmony that truly prevails. Royal.
| Sébastien Mahia remporte le marathon
After already making a splash last year with a time of 2:42:04, Belgian Sébastien Mahia did it again this Sunday—and even better. He crossed the finish line in 2:41:02, more than a minute ahead of his closest competitor, proud to represent his adopted country, the United States, where he made a name for himself this year by winning the 100 km of New York. Registered as an “American” in the race, this ultrarunner completes marathons around 2:40 without serious training. In fact, this was his third marathon of October. “I feel very connected to New York City,” he says.
Mahia broke away around the 28th kilometer, unlike last year when the victory was decided on the track at the Stade de France. “Sure, there was a bit less suspense at the end,” he admits. “The last five kilometers, I was safe, I managed it calmly. The time didn’t matter much to me; my main dream was to do the double!” Fun as it was impressive, the marathoner even set a world record for a marathon dressed as a bee the previous weekend in Antwerp—a nod to his name, “Mahia.”
Behind him, Hugo Basset (2:42:41) and Geoffrey Zietek (2:45:36) completed the podium. Running the distance for the first time, Basset savored the experience: “It was all about discovery. I didn’t know how it would feel after the 30th kilometer. I saw that the leader was far ahead, so I decided to manage my pace. I didn’t feel too tired, I’m happy!” The second, Zietek, was still in disbelief. “I was aiming for 2:47, so being on the podium is a surprise. I overtook three runners 2 km from the finish, even though I had been fifth for almost the entire race!”
| Abbygaelle Zinberg’s Triumphant Comeback
In the women’s race, victory went to Abbygaelle Zinberg in 3:12:00. At the finish line, the runner couldn’t hold back her emotions, having suffered a cruciate ligament tear just nine months ago. “It’s really touching because I didn’t expect it. I had lined up in the 3:30 pace group, and from the start, I felt good! I followed the 3:15 pacer, then after the first half, I broke away. There were two of us, and by the 10th km, I pulled ahead.”
Behind her, Émilie Pereira claimed a remarkable podium spot for what she calls her “real first marathon.” “I didn’t come here aiming for a podium. I didn’t know what to expect time-wise. Just finishing under 3:45 would have been great, 3:30 even better… so under 3:18 is perfect!” Starting cautiously, she managed to move up as the kilometers went by. “I started overtaking runners and took third place less than 10 km from the finish.” Her next challenges? Run & bike events and winter trails, just to keep up the rhythm.
Finally, Valentine Bonnin from Lyon (3:21:39) completed the podium. Running her third marathon, she secured a place she hadn’t imagined. “I wanted to run under 3:30, I did 3:21, so I’m super happy.” Having run a solitary and self-paced race, she plans to take a month of rest before returning to half-marathons and marathons, with a new goal already set for next April.
| Belgian Grégoire Doison dominates the half-marathon
At the front alongside Abraham Kimutai from the first meters, Grégoire Doison secured the lead for good when his main competitor, the Kenyan, took a wrong turn. Running his first half-marathon, the Dourois athlete claimed victory in 1:06:46, a great reward for his new club, US Valenciennes Athlétisme, which he joined this year. “I’m focusing on long distances this year. That’s the new challenge! I joined Valenciennes to compete in cross-country races in France, just to change things up a bit.”
Nearly three minutes later, Lilian Eudier took second place in 1:09:43, repeating his podium finish from last year at the Grande Course du Grand Paris half-marathon. “I came aiming for the podium while preparing for the Valencia Marathon. Happy with my form, training volume, and the race!” Thierry Rommel from Sam Paris 12, also aiming for the Valencia Marathon, finished third in 1:10:42. Slightly disappointed not to break 1:10, he still enjoyed a strong podium finish.
| Cécile Vatan accomplishes her mission brilliantly
In the women’s race, victory went to Céline Vatan, a member of the Villefranche-sur-Saône club, cheered on throughout the course by her husband and their two daughters. An unexpected win, as she had primarily come to secure a good starting wave for the Valencia Marathon. “I was at the front the whole way, but I kept swapping with men who caught up. My main goal was the time, 1:23. And I ran 1:22, so objective achieved!” Her previous personal best erased, she is now ready for Valencia with this new benchmark of 1:22:08.
Marlène Hamon also earned her medal, finishing her first half-marathon in 1:23:53. A year ago, she had been on maternity leave after giving birth to twins. “I wanted to test myself on the road again, because I had to stop during pregnancy. The finish was amazing, and we had perfect conditions. I’ve been training for about eight months. This is my new record—the previous one was 1:31. This time, I was better prepared, with the kids cheering me on, the atmosphere, and my best friend by my side!”
At just 19, triathlete Lila Bardi from the Corbeil-Essonnes club claimed a strong third place in 1:24:37, in the midst of her preparation for the Ironman World Championships in two weeks. “I didn’t expect to make the podium, but my legs felt good. This was only my second half-marathon. I’m still young, only 19. It was a prep race, based on my current form.”
| The love story of a royal couple in the 10K
The international 10K treated spectators in the stands to a thrilling spectacle. The podium was decided in a tight race, with the top three finishers separated by less than 17 seconds. Flavien Szot of Entente Savoie Athlé claimed victory in 30:18, soon joined by his partner, Bérénice Cleyet-Merle, who also took first place in her race, six minutes later. In just her second outing over the distance, the middle-distance runner—third in the 2025 French Elite Championships over 1500 m and a member of A. Villeneuve-la-Garenne—finished the race in 36:18. She reunited with her smiling partner at the finish line. “Did you win?” The answer was obvious for both. “I really enjoyed it! I ran it a bit like a training session, but I realized I love it. The guys around me encouraged me. Flavien, Renaud (Clerc, 7th at the Paralympic Games over 1500 m) and I registered just two days ago, and it was the right choice! Our coach had planned a 7 km session at race pace, but I took it easy because I wanted to win.”
As for Flavien Szot, he had also come with the idea of a simple training run at 3:00/km. But the plan quickly changed. “I started with two Kenyans, the first kilometer was done in 2:35… I realized I had to go for the win! I stayed behind them until the 7th km, then took the lead. Gradually, I widened the gap. By the finish, I had about a hundred meters ahead.” The cross-country specialist also rediscovered familiar sensations: “The course was very ‘cross’ style, with some climbs and dirt… it was cool.”
| A marathoners’ podium in the 10K
Two Kenyans, Abraham Kimutai and Kevin Kibiwot, completed the podium in 30:31 and 30:35. Both have been training in Germany for a short time but plan to return to Kenya soon to prepare for the rest of their season, with several marathons in their sights.
On the women’s side, second place went to Chloé Conan, a rapidly improving runner, thrilled with her time: “I came to beat my record, and when I heard I was second, I thought ‘awesome!’ Previously, it was 37:44, now 37:22. Up front, it’s no one you can underestimate. I’m preparing for the Valencia Marathon in under three hours.” The race was fiercely contested: “I battled with two other girls; at the 5 km mark, we were in 3rd, 4th, and 5th positions. I felt good, so I accelerated. I had a solid group of boys around me, which helped shield me from the wind. The podium is just a bonus.” Another Chloé, Christiaen, rounded out the podium in 37:49.
| 800 m specialists shine in the 5 km race
The 5 km race also delighted the crowd, still sizable in the stands around 1 p.m. Former 800 m runner Pierrick Loir clinched victory just meters from the finish line, crossing in 15:52 thanks to a strong final sprint. Already third last year, he repeated the experience this year with flair, taking the top spot on the podium. “I ran a bit slower, but I wanted to win today. The course isn’t ideal for a personal best, so I focused on enjoying it. Between winning in 15:50 and finishing third in 15:35, I chose pleasure. This time, I ran surrounded, whereas last year I was alone.” Loir will soon line up for the 10 km in Bordeaux, his first time at that distance.
Behind him, Brice Panchot, usually seen at running events as the press officer for the Com’Over agency, proved he’s just as comfortable on the track. He secured an impressive third place in 15:57 after a thrilling sprint in the Stade de France arena. The race quickly shaped up, with four men breaking away in the first kilometer before the leading duo gained about fifteen meters on the chasers. “We had them in sight the whole race,” Brice recalls. “Entering the stadium, I tried one last surge to catch up, but it was a bit late. I finish just behind a friend from my club, so I’m really happy!” His VMA teammate Alexandre Cheny, who ultimately finished second in 15:53, added: “Friends on the track and in life! I led the whole way, got overtaken at the end, but that’s racing. I’m happy to share the podium with him.”
In the women’s race, Bosnian Emina Alagic (18:11) claimed a prestigious victory in her Paris debut. A sports journalism student spending a semester in France, she savored her first race in the capital: “I didn’t expect to win at all. It’s incredible to run in such an iconic stadium!” Behind her, Célia Louiserre of Entente PUC-Stade Français used her 800 m experience to secure second place in 19:09, just ahead of Marie Merien of VMA, who crossed the line in 19:13.
“I got a bit stuck in the first kilometer,” explained Célia. “Then I gradually made up ground. I was fourth at the 4 km mark and passed two girls. It surprised me because it’s the first race of the season, I wasn’t expecting this result at all.” For Marie Merien, it was also her first solo race. She earned the bronze after a combative finish: “I wish I could have run the entire lap of the Stade de France, but it was already magical! I gave it my all, but when I saw her sprint, I couldn’t catch her.” A 10 km and half-marathon runner, Marie used this 5 km to regain some speed ahead of the cross-country season, which she eagerly awaits, just like Célia, who shares her enthusiasm.
Once again, the Stade de France proved to be the realm of exceptional athletes and the stage for remarkable performances. Whether Belgian, Kenyan, Bosnian, or from Lyon, the winners of this morning’s events had no reason to travel in vain, they left crowned with success.
✔ Find all the results of the Voies Royales de Saint-Denis
Sabine LOEB
Journalist
