Seville Marathon 2025: French runners set their sights high

Seville, a record-breaking city

In 2024, Seville established itself as a landmark race by becoming the scene of French marathon records for Morhad Amdouni (2:03:47) and Méline Rollin (2:24:12). That same edition also delivered remarkable depth, with 40 men breaking 2:10 and 28 women breaking 2:30. In the Andalusian capital, nobody runs alone: groups form naturally to hold pace, creating ideal conditions for fast times. The course record is held by Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta in 2:03:27, while compatriot Alemu Megertu set the women’s record in 2:18:51. The numbers speak for themselves: Seville is one of the fastest marathons in the world. With long, straight stretches, a flat profile and a warm atmosphere, the Andalusian course is tailor-made for anyone looking to smash their personal best.

A stacked elite field with the French contingent ready to shine

The men’s race once again features a high-calibre field in 2025. Three Eritreans boast the fastest personal bests: Okubay Tsegay (2:05:03 in Berlin in 2023), Goitom Kifle (2:05:28 in Valencia in 2021) and Ghirmay Ghebreslassie (2:05:34 in Seville in 2022), the 2015 world marathon champion. But the race will also mark the marathon debut of Ethiopian athlete Selemon Barega, the Olympic 10,000m champion in Tokyo in 2021 and the author of an impressive 57:50 half marathon in Valencia in 2023.

The women’s race promises just as much quality. Romania’s Delvine Meringor (2:20:49 in Barcelona) is the leading contender, alongside Ethiopians Meseret Dinke Meleka (2:22:52 in Abu Dhabi) and Urge Diro (2:23:05 in Seville).

From the French side, all eyes will be on Félix Bour and Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse. Bour ran an impressive 1:00:00 half marathon in Seville at the end of January and is now targeting qualification for the Tokyo Worlds. To get there, he will need to lower his personal best of 2:06:45 by at least 15 seconds. After a successful 2024 that included an Olympic appearance, the Racing Multi-Athlon Paris athlete could make a major breakthrough this Sunday, having completed part of his preparation at the Font Romeu altitude training centre. Emmanuel Roudolff-Levisse, who ran a strong 2:07:20 in Valencia last December, is also looking to take another step forward. The Tokyo World Championships qualifying standard is 2:06:30.

The spotlight will also be on Mélody Julien and Manon Trapp. Julien has started 2025 in excellent form, running 1:10:31 for the Seville half marathon before winning the 10K in Ibiza in 32:36. Spain has been kind to her, and she will be chasing the Tokyo World Championships qualifying standard of 2:23:30. Trapp, a three-time French cross-country champion, also has big ambitions after a four-week altitude camp in Iten, Kenya. At her most recent marathon, in Rotterdam in 2024, she went all-in for Olympic qualification before being forced to drop out halfway through. The Entente Savoie Athlé athlete bounced back at the 20 km de Paris, winning the race in an impressive 1:04:44. In Seville, she will be looking to lower her personal best of 2:25:48, set in Valencia in 2023, and perhaps secure a Tokyo World Championships qualifying time too.

A race not to be missed

With ideal conditions and an exceptional field, the Seville Marathon has all the ingredients for a memorable race. Whether they are chasing a breakthrough or simply passionate about running, all eyes will be on Andalusia this Sunday, February 23. Records, selection standards and the marathon debut of a track legend... The action promises to be spectacular. For the 12,000 amateur runners expected on the start line, this marathon will be a golden opportunity to celebrate running on a course built for fast times.

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