Hernandez and Lambert win the main event in Lausanne

Adopted Lausanne native Ilias Hernandez and Frenchwoman Chrystelle Lambert won the title race; Kenyans Elvis Tabarach and Rebecca Chepkwemoi the half marathon, Kenyans Brian Kipchumba and Edna Chepkemoi the 10 km.

11,244 sports and wellness enthusiasts dove from Place de Milan into the superb Lavaux vineyards this Sunday, October 27. The heroes of the 31st edition of the great Lausanne autumn running event were cheered on by thousands of people all along the route. 1,663 ordinary people crossed the finish line in the marathon, 4,771 in the half marathon, 4,083 in the 10 km (including 727 walkers). “A magnificent day, everything went well. We are very happy”, summed up the Organizing Committee in unison.

After climbing onto the podium of the Lausanne 20KM two years ago, Lausanne native Ilias Hernandez (Stade Genève) took a prestigious victory in the title event of the Lausanne Marathon. For his first time over the distance, the former national medallist in the 1500m started with a time of 2h18, before suffering and finishing in 2h23’38. “I just did the hardest thing in my life in running,” he said lying on the ground after the line. His runner-up was none other than last year’s second-place finisher in the 10km, Jasper Mcdowell (Lazyboys Track Club/Genthod) in 2h25’09, ahead of Kenyan from Mutschellen Muthomi Erick Riungu (KEN) in 2h28’12.

On the women’s side, the Frenchwoman Chrystelle Lambert won in 2h50’15, ahead of the Spaniard Reyes Astrain from Nyon (2h56’50) and the Genevan Jade Nguyen (JO2Lab/3h08’23).

Over the half marathon distance, last year’s winner Elvis Tabarach (KEN) easily defended his title. From the halfway point, the Kenyan flew alone towards Bellerive. He won the event in 1h05’24, 29 seconds below his time from 2023. Behind him, a good performance by the regional Habtom Amaniel (ERI/Aigle/Olympic Refugee Team) in 1h05’57. “I wanted more, but it was impossible to run faster today…” grimaced the 2022 winner of the 10 km. Trail runner Christophe Martignier (CTT) from Lausanne completed the podium in 1h08’37.

In 1h13’06, Kenyan favourite Rebecca Chepkwemoi was only 22 seconds behind the women’s record. Geneva’s Lisa De Bruyn (Viseu) and Germany’s Steffi Trachsel followed in 1h16’40 and 1h21’31.

For their debut in Lausanne, Kenyans ⁠Brian Kipchumba ⁠and Edna Chepkemoi got off to a flying start over the 10 km. Both dominated the competition in the very good times of 29’23 and 32’23. Also very fast, Neuchâtel’s ⁠Loïc Berger (CEP Cortaillod) and Ticino’s ⁠Adriano Engelhardt (US Ascona) completed the men’s podium in 30’20 and 30’24. In the women’s category, Ethiopian ⁠Addisalem Belay (Athlé St-Julien 74) and⁠Lausannoise by adoption Molly Renfer (LC Basel) did the same in 33’14 and 35’38.