Run In Lyon 2026: Bastien Augusto and Anaïs Quemener make their mark among 36,000 runners

The 15th edition of Run In Lyon by Harmonie Mutuelle once again underlined its status as a major fixture on France’s mass-participation running calendar. On Sunday, 36,000 runners took on one of the four available formats: the marathon, half marathon, 10K and Run Solidaire, across the streets of Lyon. The race also saw a new half-marathon record, set by Bastien Augusto.

The streets of Lyon were buzzing on Sunday for the 15th edition of Run In Lyon. Under bright sunshine, 36,000 running enthusiasts lined up for one of the four events on offer. In the headline race, local runner Alexis Garod took the marathon victory on home soil in 2:23:44, four minutes short of his personal best. He finished less than a minute clear of his nearest challengers, Swan Blanc (2:24:28) and Thomas Gerbal (2:27:15).

In the women’s race, Anne-Sophie Chaume added another line to her résumé after making her mark on the track several years ago, including a 9:54.07 in the 3,000m steeplechase in 2022. The 2023 half-marathon winner crossed the line in 2:47:50, with a personal best of 2:43:28. Sports coach Pauline Bourrin (2:49:07) and Elise Cam (3:02:28) joined her on the podium.

This year’s marathon featured a brand-new course, notably skipping the Croix-Rousse tunnel. Starting outside the former Palais de Justice in Vieux Lyon, the runners headed along the Saône riverbanks, through Parc de la Tête d’Or, then continued along the Rhône and through the Gerland district before finishing at Place Bellecour.

The performance of the day, however, came in the half marathon. Bastien Augusto lived up to his status as favourite, clocking 1:03:16 to lower the course record by 30 seconds. The previous mark, set by Duncan Perrillat in 2022, stood at 1:03:46. The Lyon-based Pôle France athlete is continuing his strong run of form, two weeks after finishing as the first Frenchman at the World Half Marathon Championships in Copenhagen. The French international won ahead of Anatole Berthou (1:03:48) and Anis Benstiti (1:05:00).

In the women’s race, three-time French marathon champion (2016, 2022 and 2026) Anaïs Quemener took the honours in 1:13:59, crossing the finish line with her son Elyo in her arms. Décines Meyzieu Athlétisme runners Coraline Maamouri (1:14:03) and Capucine Rolin (1:14:52) followed her home.

In the 10K, Matis Boucard retained his title in 30:11, taking around 20 seconds off last year’s time. Laurina Arche returned to the top step of the podium in 35:31. Already victorious in 2024, the Zoom Volt Runners athlete claimed another Lyon success.

A mass-participation celebration with serious racing at its heart

Run In Lyon continues to build its distinctly popular identity, with 56% of participants taking part for the first time and women accounting for 43% of entries. In the marathon, more than one runner in two (52%) was tackling the distance in Lyon for the first time. The celebrations had already begun on Saturday with the Marathoon’s, which brought together nearly 1,000 children. The event’s commitment to good causes also remains central, with nearly €100,000 raised through charity entries, including €42,000 donated to AFG Autisme.

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