Laure Manaudou Completes Marseille-Cassis Race in 2h20

The 47th edition of the famous Marseille-Cassis race took place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, drawing nearly 20,000 participants to tackle its demanding 20-kilometer course. Under pleasant weather with temperatures exceeding 20 degrees Celsius, runners faced the challenging eight-kilometer ascent of the Gineste pass through the Calanques National Park.

Among the participants was former Olympic swimming champion Laure Manaudou, who crossed the finish line with a time of 2 hours and 20 minutes. Invited by official partner Hyundai alongside fellow former swimmer Camille Lacourt, Manaudou completed the course despite finding the grueling route particularly difficult at the age of 40.

Speaking to France 3 after finishing the race, Manaudou admitted that the experience proved much harder than she anticipated. "It was the second edition and it was more difficult. I have one more child, and ten years more. And maybe less training. But in any case, it is a pleasure to be at the finish line, there are lots of different profiles starting to run and really there is an atmosphere where everyone encourages each other, I think that is super nice," she shared.

The former elite athlete confessed that she did not expect such intense challenges along the way, especially during the daunting climb up the Gineste pass. "I wondered during the Gineste climb what I was doing there. I think I like challenges, I like to prove to myself that I am capable of doing things. Because in fact just because you were a good swimmer, it doesn't mean you are a good runner," she explained.

Manaudou also acknowledged that she struggled to enjoy the race itself given the physical toll. "Honestly, I didn't take too much pleasure today, I thought I would be better, it has been complicated all this week, but now we are here, we finished and then you have to smile," she stated.

Sports commentators noted that her finishing time highlights the vast differences between swimming and long-distance road racing, as cardiovascular endurance in the pool does not automatically translate to high performance on a hilly asphalt course. Nevertheless, completing the rigorous course demonstrated her enduring determination.

Alongside the athletic competition, the 2026 event featured significant corporate visibility. Hyundai utilized the scenic route through the Provençal vineyards to showcase its brand, ahead of its upcoming partnership with the HOKA Paris Half Marathon in 2027. Other sponsors, including AG2R La Mondiale, New Balance, Running Conseil, and Cepac, also maintained prominent activations along the trail.

In addition to Manaudou, journalist Ophélie Meunier also participated in the event, completing the 20-kilometer distance in 1 hour and 46 minutes. Established in 1979 by the Sainte-Marguerite multi-sports club and co-organized with the municipality of Cassis, the classic race continues to attract notable personalities and thousands of running enthusiasts each year.