Running News Daily

Route du Louvre Marathon record smashed by two minutes

It's a rain of records broken a year before the Olympic Games and in particular for the Frenchman Mickaël Gras. 7 lap times in less than 2H10 and a record for the race itself. Never had the Route du Louvre marathon been run so fast, in 2h 8'5". Results that marked this record 18th Route du Louvre.

Over two days, nearly 13,000 set off for all the La route du Louvre 2023 meetings. The marathon, the queen event, took place this Sunday, May 14 with 1,700 participants. 

The Kenyan Frédérick Kibii pulverized both his personal best and the La route du Louvre record in 2h08'05". The Ethiopian Mitku Dekeba is second in 2h08'18" followed by another Kenyan, Abdnego Cheruiyot in 2H08'40^ .

The first Frenchman is Mickael Gras who came to play the hare and not to beat his record. He collapses when he arrives. "I didn't come for that." But what he has done is exceptional and promising. 

"it's the end of the mind, in the end the muscles are wood ." He changed his objective at the 35th kilometer and opened the door to the Olympics, here in Lens.

Marie Bouchard is the first Frenchwoman on the finish line after 2h42'54". 

I dedicate this race to my nephew Honoré who lives in Lille and who is fighting against a rather rare syndrome, nemo syndrome. He sees the end of the tunnel and it is a symbol for me. I really thought of him on my end of the race.

Marie Bouchard, French premiere.