Reims Champagne Run 2026 draws 23,000 runners for a successful fourth edition

Co-organised by Playground and the City of Reims, the weekend of October 10 and 11 brought trail runners to the trails of the Montagne de Reims on Saturday, followed by thousands of road runners in the city centre on Sunday. Among the weekend’s performances, the finishes stood out, with many of them decided in fiercely contested sprints.

Road races decided in the sprint

On Sunday, 19,200 runners took over the streets of the coronation city. Every race finished in front of the Porte de Mars, after passing by Notre-Dame Cathedral. Across all three races, the suspense lasted right to the line.

The women’s 10K produced the most dramatic finish. Clémence Robin and Mathilde Reteau crossed the line almost together, both clocking 34:53. The former eventually took the win, while Julia Giacomelli claimed third in 35:12.

In the men’s race, Quentin Bouvier retained his title in 30:39, closely followed all the way by Pierre Varnier, who finished second in 30:42. Timéo Morot completed the podium in 30:51. Renamed “Les 10km de Rémus à Fond la Forme – Decathlon” for its first year under the retailer’s colours, the 10K attracted 9,200 participants and retained what has made it so popular: a fast course on Reims’ asphalt, open to runners of all levels.

© Reims Champagne Tour

The Semi des Rois got 7,000 runners off the start line. Julien Parisot won the men’s race in 1:08:09, but the real suspense was behind him. Théo Drocourt took second in 1:08:45, just one second ahead of Remi Richart, the 2025 winner, who was beaten in the sprint over the final metres. In the women’s race, Armelle d’Esquerre stood out with a 1:22:28 finish, ahead of Jennifer Lefèvre (1:23:32) and Lucie Deronzier (1:24:14).

Le Sacré Trail steps up a level

Saturday belonged to the trail runners. With 2,600 participants compared with 2,000 last year, the 2026 edition got off to a strong start. There were 600 runners on the 87K start line, 1,200 on the 42K, and 200 four-person relay teams. The finish was also at the Porte de Mars, while the different courses crossed 25 communes in Greater Reims, the classified vineyard slopes of the Champagne region and the forests of the Montagne de Reims Regional Nature Park.

On the 87K, Sylvain Lejeune pulled off a surprise win in 6:56:24, having bought his race bib just two days before the start. He finished just over two minutes ahead of Faycel Ait Ziane in 6:58:49, already a podium finisher at the 2024 edition. Winner at that same edition, Esteban Garcia took third in 7:04:38. Sylvain Lejeune therefore finished ahead of two experienced former Reims podium finishers.

In the women’s race, Coralie Baudoux took the honours in 7:52:42. Aleksandra Kacprzak finished second in 8:37:22, just as she did last year, ahead of Mélanie Piotin (8:51:55). But that was not all: Kacprzak did not stop at her trail race. She then lined up for the 5K, 10K and half marathon, completing four races in a single weekend and covering more than 123 kilometres in total.

On the 42K, Louison Santerre won in 2:41:40 ahead of Aurélien Bouet (2:52:53) and Josselin Lobet (2:54:19). Valentine Lerouge dominated the women’s race in 3:28:36, ahead of Céline Paroli-Toulcanon (3:39:43) and Marie Pouligon (3:44:02). One of the weekend’s finest moments in this race had nothing to do with the clock: Alexandre, running alongside his partner, proposed to her on the finish line.

In the four-person relay, the mixed Belhamris team won in 6:11:25, less than two minutes ahead of Gaz’Run (6:13:23) and Verti Trail (6:24:04). The Sacrées Verti were recognised as the first all-women team.

A popular, charitable event with a growing female presence

Beyond the racing, the event placed a strong emphasis on its human side. The proportion of women on the start line rose from 39% in 2025 to 43% this year, helped by a women-only shakeout run on Saturday as part of Pink October. Every finisher received a bottle of champagne, with the corks recycled, while buses and trams were free for bib holders and entry was free for jobseekers.

The weekend also raised €5,375 in donations: €4,267 for “Courir pour ceux qui ne peuvent plus”, an initiative run by the CHU de Reims Action Fund, and €1,108 through the 5K Matmut #Néspourbouger, which attracted 3,000 participants and supported Premiers de Cordée. Finally, on the 10K and half marathon, the pacers were employees of the City of Reims. Over the final kilometre, they all joined the “last finisher” pacer to escort the remaining runners to the line together.

© Reims Champagne Tour

Jérémy Larson, director of Playground Outdoor, sees it as proof that “a major mass-participation event can also set an example”. Raphaël Blanchard, deputy mayor responsible for an active and sporty city, highlighted “a popular event accessible to everyone” and thanked the volunteers, city employees, organisers and families. With Le Sacré Trail up 30% and finishes decided by such narrow margins, the fifth edition should be well worth the wait.