© Marathon du Cognac
The Cognac Marathon, where performance is toasted
For the 24th edition of the Cognac Marathon, 4,700 runners gathered this Saturday in Jarnac to take part in the various races. The event saw Hugo Le Poulard crowned, finishing his first marathon in 2:27:21 at just 19 years old, while Cécile Devierre from Cognac also claimed her first victory.
Reflecting the record number of registrations this year across the four races of the Charente event, the three children’s races were also fully booked, bringing together nearly 300 young participants in the afternoon across the various distances. And the records didn’t stop there: whether on the marathon, the half-marathon, the 10.5 km, or the 5 km, several personal bests were shattered. This was notably the case for young Hugo Le Poulard, who achieved a local feat by winning his first marathon in 2:27:21, having initially aimed for 2:30. At just 19 years old, he recorded the third-fastest time in the history of the event. Quite an accomplishment.
But beyond the performances, the Cognac Marathon is also an immersion into local culture, often with fortunately mild weather. The course is challenging, especially in the second half, but it takes runners through vineyards, the Cognac Royer cellars, and local châteaux, and treats their stomachs with unusual aid stations: pâté, boudin, oysters, and, of course, a small dose of cognac along the way. No fewer than 700 volunteers were mobilized to ensure that this celebration of running went off in the best possible way. The festivities concluded on Sunday morning with the “Balade de Jacques,” organized in memory of the guide and lecturer Jacques Rullier, complete with the traditional aperitif offered to the walkers.
| An inevitably local podium in the marathon
The winner of the 2025 edition of the Cognac Marathon, Hugo Le Poulard, didn’t hold back. The Charente-Maritime native dominated the competition to claim an uncompromising victory in his very first marathon, finishing in 2:27:21. “I trained a lot, and trail running really helped me because I was already covering long distances in all kinds of conditions,” said the young athlete, a trail runner and future triathlete, in an interview with Charente Libre. Experiencing a dip in energy after the 30th kilometer, he used the aid station to refuel: “I ate everything I could; it gave me some sugar back and allowed me to finish strong.” Knowing he could break 2:30, he briefly doubted his abilities before pushing hard to finish in style. On the unique atmosphere of the race, he adds enthusiastically: “The cheers carried me, especially at the end, because I was exhausted.” Not yet 20, he claimed a spectacular first victory, leaving his nearest competitor more than 11 minutes behind.
In second place, local runner Raphaël Lassalle finished in 2:38:12. “I was really on target; the goal was achieved. I wanted a solid preparation before the cross-country season, and it was a good opportunity to run a local marathon,” said the Charentais, a regular participant in the event. Even though he ran alone for much of the race, he appreciated hearing the crowd cheer his name. “It really feels good,” he added. About his rival, he smiled: “I didn’t know him. Either he had it under control and was unbeatable, or he was a bit optimistic and would crack… In the end, he knew what he was doing.” Reflecting on his own race, the local club representative noted: “I kept my planned pace from the start because a marathon can be brutal at the end. The second half of the course is much harder, but by not starting too fast, it goes well.” Stephan Duffau from Team DUF, in the M40 category, completed the podium in 2:45:06.
Among the women, Cécile Devierre, one of the favorites, lived up to expectations by finishing the marathon in 3:07:08. Her goal was clear: victory. “I’m very proud; winning was really my objective. I’m so happy to represent Cognac and my club, Cognac AC!” Well-paced throughout the first half of the race, the local runner was pushed to her limits after the halfway point due to the challenging course. It was her first win at the event. “It feels amazing,” she said, already thinking about improving next time: “I hope one day to break 3 hours…” Radiant, with glitter on her cheeks and a huge smile, she summed up her mindset: “I always run with the idea of enjoying myself first. When you do things with pleasure, performance follows.” Behind her, Tiphanie Bardet claimed second in 3:23:07, followed by Leslie Marin in 3:25:52.
| Didier Violino in command, Laurianne Allègre surprises in the overall standings of the half-marathon
Didier Violino (Clain Athletic Pictave) achieved a brilliant hat-trick this Saturday. Already the winner of the previous two editions, he completed his third consecutive victory after a tight duel with his teammate Benjamin Guionnet, who was only 2 seconds behind in the final straight. Both athletes finished the distance in under 1:13, in a race faster than last year. For the runner from Cognac, this victory carries a special meaning: “There’s a history here; it’s a race that’s close to my heart.” The CAP athlete enjoys this success even more as it concludes a busy season: “It’s the culmination of a very full year for me. I’ve run multiple half-marathons, and I’ve loved every minute. This is clearly my distance,” he says. His clubmate, Benjamin Guionnet, currently preparing for the Valencia Marathon, shares the sentiment: “We know each other very well and finished together!” On the third step of the podium, Clément Dutrey (1:16:02) couldn’t be happier: “I went off with the two strong guys, but I quickly realized I shouldn’t stay with them!”
In the women’s race, Laurianne Allègre triumphed in 1:33:05. The runner from Charente led the race from start to finish to claim her first major victory in a challenging half-marathon. “I didn’t expect it at all! Last year I was 5th or 6th, but the time is definitely much better,” she exclaimed, still surprised. Starting cautiously, she gradually moved up the pack without being intimidated by the hillier second half of the course: “At the 10th kilometer, I saw I was 3rd. I overtook the second at the 12th km, then the first at the 15th… and after that, I just went for it!” The cheers from the crowd carried her through the final kilometers: “It gives you wings!” Initially aiming for a 1:35 finish, she exceeded expectations and gained a nice boost ahead of the La Rochelle Marathon in two weeks. Behind her, Mélanie Adamczak took second place in 1:35:59, followed by Marie Dussaud from Braud AC in 1:36:47.
| 10.5 km : Cognac AC sweeps the board
The Cognac AC made a strong impression on the 10.5 km, sweeping the top four positions. Victory went to Kévin Bourg, dominant from start to finish. Delivering a controlled race, he confirmed his excellent current form while planning an attempt at his personal 10 km record soon. “I tried to start at my record pace to test myself, because in a month, I want to beat it,” explained the winner, aware of his race management. Facing a demanding course, he chose to pace himself: “In recent years, I had issues on the hill, a side stitch. This time, I managed myself to keep Thierry at a distance and control the finish, especially with the elevation changes.”
Behind him, his teammate, Master 3 Thierry Guibault, just back from the New York Marathon, perfectly managed his effort to take second place in 34:25. “The goal was to finish in the top three, and it’s done. The marathon is no excuse,” he smiled. Despite having 42 km in his legs from the U.S., the veteran still had plenty of energy: “Since Sunday, I’ve recovered well. That’s the magic of carbon shoes! The atmosphere isn’t New York, but it’s not far off,” he said, joking about the celebration planned at home: “I’ve got 20 people all weekend; we’re going to celebrate properly.” The podium was completed by Maxime Thorin, who finished in 35:23, giving the local club a winning triple.
The Cognac AC club gave it their all this year, racking up a large number of medals, with results worth celebrating with a toast. No time to raise a glass during the effort for the club’s athletes: the celebration came once the race was over, with lots of people, good spirits, and a little Cognac to top it all off.
✔ Find all the results of the Cognac Marathon
Sabine LOEB
Journaliste
