Marathon de Vannes © Yves Mainguy
Vannes Marathon 2025: Brittany, Scenic Runs, and Pure Emotion
This past weekend, the 25th edition of the Vannes Marathon brought together seasoned runners, first-timers, relay teams, families, and curious spectators along the roads of Morbihan. A festive atmosphere, postcard-worthy landscapes, and impressive performances confirmed once again why this event has become a highlight of the Breton autumn.
Sunday, September 28. From the start at the foot of the old city’s ramparts, the tone was set. Runners traversed a course both challenging and beautiful: historic streets, bustling quays, coastal stretches overlooking the Gulf of Morbihan, and more intimate wooded sections. In Vannes, racing isn’t just about the clock—it’s also about enjoying the scenery. The crowd, faithful as ever, played its part: music groups, impromptu fanfares, residents cheering from windows and street corners. This mix of celebration and effort defines the Vannes Marathon.
| Rhythm, Mindset, and Scenery
The 9:30 a.m. start quickly set a brisk pace. Early on, the favorites took control, determined to leave their mark on this anniversary edition. The first 20 kilometers flowed smoothly, but once out of the city, the course began testing legs with sneaky hills, sudden accelerations around corners, and endless false flats.
The notorious “wall” struck between kilometers 30 and 35, dropping several contenders. The final kilometers, lined with dense crowds, led runners back to the finish at the Chorus Exhibition Park. Arms rose, eyes welled up. Crossing the line, regardless of the time, felt like the truest victory.
| Olivier Frémy and Mélissa Fretaud Shine
The Vannes Marathon 2025 delivered a demanding yet captivating spectacle. Olivier Frémy, though from Nantes, seems to have Vannes’ coastal trails in his DNA. A regular on local races and winner in 2022, he crossed the line first again, breaking the course record with 2:30:01, after proving himself in prior editions and at the Auray-Vannes half marathon two weeks earlier (1:09:33). On this challenging, rolling course, he managed his effort while enjoying the landscapes and festive atmosphere.
Following him, Christian Dréan claimed second place in 2:36:34, executing a tactical race and climbing the ranks by taking advantage of the course’s twists and turns. David Jaffré completed the men’s podium with 2:37:26.
On the women’s side, Mélissa Fretaud crossed the finish line first in 3:07:47, ahead of Laëtitia Le Corre (3:14:12) and Hélena Chenot (3:14:34). The race remained tight, with positions shifting up to the final kilometer, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats.
| More Than Just a Marathon
The event isn’t limited to the 42.195 km distance. Vannes also hosted the Duo de l’Hermine, a corporate relay, a 20 km race, the nighttime Gwened Run, and even a short 5 km. There was something for everyone to experience the unique weekend atmosphere. Volunteers and organizers received unanimous praise: well-stocked aid stations, clearly marked routes, and smooth logistics. Some sections were a bit narrow, but nothing detracted from the overall enjoyment.
The Vannes Marathon 2025 delivered everything expected from a major community race: sport, camaraderie, emotion, and breathtaking scenery. For some, it was a time-based victory; for others, a comeback from injury, a first marathon, or a relay adventure. For all, it left lasting memories—and already, many are dreaming of next year: returning to relive the mix of sweat, cheers, music, and sea. In Vannes, every stride carries the essence of Brittany.
✔ Full results for the 2025 Vannes Marathon edition
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
