Record Numbers in the Riviera Marathon

As the sun rose over the Mediterranean Sea, 14,320 runners – a record entry – gathered on the start line of the 8th French Riviera Marathon Nice-Cannes. Warm autumn sunshine and clear blue skies provided perfect conditions at the start on the iconic Promenade des Anglais in Nice at 8am.

Ahead of the runners, a 42.195km coastal course passing through many of the French Riviera’s most famous landmarks, finishing on the world famous Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes.

At the front of the race, the men’s category was hotly contested. The elite athletes maintained a steady pace until the 30km mark before Kenyan Barnabas Kiptum found himself alone having shed his rivals one by one. Kiptum pulled ahead in the closing stages, finishing first in 2h 10min 45 sec, ahead of Victor Kipchirchir and Michael Chege. “I’m so happy – to have finished second last year and now win is an incredible feeling,” said Kiptum. “I was alone with 10km to go which made it hard but I pulled through. Even with the pain I was able to enjoy beautiful views.”

In the women’s race, Kenyan Rose Chepchumba won her second consecutive title, finishing first in 2h 36min 03sec. Ethiopian Haji Halima and Diane Wolf from France completed the podium. “I won last year so to come back and defend my title is very satisfying”, said Chepchumba. “This is one of the most beautiful marathon courses in the world and I really enjoyed it. I’m very pleased to have managed the race as well as I did”.

Sadly, for the first time in the events history, one of the participants died en route. It has been confirmed that a French runner, aged 35, who was participating in the 2x21km relay event, died during the race. At around 10 am, between la Siesta and Fort Carré in Antibes, he suffered a cardiac arrest and was immediately attended by the emergency services. Sadly they were unable to revive the runner.