Run In Lyon 2026 sees Bastien Augusto and Anaïs Quemener shine 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 four formats, the marathon, half marathon, 10K and Run Solidaire, through the streets of Lyon. The race also saw Bastien Augusto set a new half-marathon record.

The streets of Lyon were buzzing on Sunday as Run In Lyon returned for its 15th edition. Under bright sunshine, 36,000 runners lined up for one of the four events on offer. In the marathon, local runner Alexis Garod claimed victory on home soil in 2:23:44, four minutes shy of his personal best. He finished less than a minute clear of runners-up 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 a few years ago, running 9:54.07 for the 3,000m steeplechase in 2022. The coach, who also won the half marathon in 2023, crossed the line in 2:47:50, with a personal best of 2:43:28. 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 omitting the section through the Croix-Rousse tunnel. Starting outside the former Palais de Justice in Vieux Lyon, the runners followed the Saône, crossed the Parc de la Tête d’Or, then continued along the Rhône and through the Gerland district before finishing at Place Bellecour.

The day’s standout performance came in the half marathon. Bastien Augusto lived up to his favourite’s billing with a time of 1:03:16, taking 30 seconds off the previous course record set by Duncan Perrillat in 2022 (1:03:46). The Lyon France Training Centre athlete is continuing his strong run of form, two weeks after finishing as the leading Frenchman at the World Half Marathon Championships in Copenhagen. The French international took the win 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 athletes Coraline Maamouri (1:14:03) and Capucine Rolin (1:14:52) completed the podium.

On the 10K, Matis Boucard defended his title in 30:11, improving his time from last year by around 20 seconds. Laurina Arche returned to the top step of the podium in 35:31. Having already won in 2024, the Zoom Volt Runners athlete secured another Lyon victory.

A mass-participation celebration with a competitive edge

Run In Lyon continues to embrace its mass-participation identity, with 56% of entrants taking part for the first time and women accounting for 43% of the field. On the marathon, more than half of the runners (52%) were tackling the distance in Lyon for the first time. The celebrations had already begun on Saturday with the Marathoon’s, which attracted nearly 1,000 children. The event’s charitable commitment also remains central, with almost €100,000 raised through charity entries, including €42,000 donated to AFG Autisme.

Full results