Amdouni and Quemener Crowned French Marathon Champions 2026 in Ambès
TL;DR — On May 3, 2026, in Ambès (Gironde, southwestern France), the French Marathon Championships went to Morhad Amdouni (2:13:22) and Anaïs Quemener (2:37:34) on the fast course of the Marathon des 2 Rives. For Amdouni, it's a winning return after nearly a year off. For Quemener, it's a third national title, ten years after the first — won while she was fighting cancer.
A Sunday in Gironde for the national title
Sunday, May 3, 2026. On the peninsula of Ambès, between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers, several thousand runners lined up for the Marathon des 2 Rives. In its second edition, the Gironde race served as the official support event for the French FFA Marathon Championships — a strategic stop a few months out from the major international fixtures of summer 2026.
9:30 a.m. start, ultra-flat course, aid stations every 5 km: the setup is tailor-made to chase a time. And at the finish, two expected names, two very different stories.
Amdouni: the patient comeback of the French record holder
In the men's race, Morhad Amdouni clocked 2:13:22 to take the title, ahead of Florian Caro (2:15:20) and Freddy Guimard (2:17:44).
The 37-year-old from Porto-Vecchio (Corsica) hadn't raced a major event in nearly a year. For his return, no fireworks: he ran controlled, only really attacked at halfway, and finished alone on the Gironde roads.
The 2:13:22 may look modest from the man who still owns the French marathon record at 2:03:47, set in Seville in 2024. But the goal was elsewhere: get back the racing feel, validate his form, and lock in a spot on the French team for summer.
It also adds another title to a national résumé that already includes wins in cross-country, 1500 m, 5000 m, 10 km and 20 km. He was missing this one.
Quemener: a third title, and a story that comes full circle
In the women's race, Anaïs Quemener won in 2:37:34, ahead of Alice Michel (2:41:14) and Anne Moulin (2:44:06).
At 35, the Paris-based Breton lands her third national title over the marathon distance — after 2016 and 2022. There's a thread running through it all: in 2016, when she earned her very first national crown in 2:55:26, just six months after a mastectomy, she was simultaneously fighting an aggressive breast cancer diagnosed the year before. Ten years later, her podium in Ambès has the feel of a return to roots.
Another strong symbol of this 2026 edition: the runner-up, Alice Michel, made her competitive return after pregnancy. Quemener too is a young mother. Two women, two post-baby comebacks, both on a national championship podium. Hard to write a more on-message story.
Why these results matter (even if you run 4:30)
Let's be honest: 2:13 and 2:37 are elite times. Your goal is more likely to finish your next marathon, or break the 4-hour barrier. But these championships speak to the amateur scene at several levels.
First, the calendar. The 2026 French Championships were held on the Marathon des 2 Rives, a young race (2nd edition) that has already earned a major-event status. If you live in or near Bordeaux and you're hunting a fast marathon for a PR — ultra-flat course, frequent aid stations — keep an eye on it for 2027. (For the rest of the French calendar, we've also listed the 10 best marathons to run in France in 2026.)
Second, race tactics. Amdouni won by attacking at halfway. It's a marathon classic: start cautious in the first half, save fuel to actually decide the race after the 21st kilometer. The same lesson applies to your first marathon, to your goal times, to running through summer heat.
Finally, the stories. Quemener and Michel on the podium after maternity; Quemener writing her first championship page coming out of chemotherapy; Amdouni back from a year off — these arcs are a reminder that a marathon is never just a number. It's a project that fits inside a life, with its pauses, its detours, and its returns.
What's next?
For Amdouni, this title officially marks the comeback of a major name in French distance running, at exactly the right moment. With the French record in his pocket and a freshly-won national title, his sights are clearly on the international team for summer 2026.
For Quemener, the title confirms a rare consistency at the top — and the possibility of a trajectory that still has years to run.
For the Marathon des 2 Rives, the 2026 edition confirmed its rise: a fast course, several thousand participants overall, a festival weekend, a solid organisation. Pencil this Bordeaux fixture into your early-May 2027 calendar.
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FAQ
Who won the 2026 French Marathon Championships?
Morhad Amdouni won the men's race in 2:13:22, ahead of Florian Caro and Freddy Guimard. Anaïs Quemener took the women's race in 2:37:34, ahead of Alice Michel and Anne Moulin. The championships were held in Ambès (Gironde, France) on Sunday, May 3, 2026, on the Marathon des 2 Rives course.
Where did the 2026 French Marathon Championships take place?
In Ambès, a town in the Gironde department, region Nouvelle-Aquitaine, on the peninsula between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. The Marathon des 2 Rives was in its second edition and served as the official support race for the FFA championships.
What is the French marathon record in 2026?
The French marathon record is held by Morhad Amdouni in 2:03:47, set at the 2024 Seville Marathon. The mark places him among the best European marathoners in history.
How many national marathon titles has Anaïs Quemener won?
Three: 2016, 2022, and 2026. She earned her very first national title in 2:55:26 while simultaneously fighting breast cancer. At 35, her French marathon record is one of the longest of her generation.
What is the Marathon des 2 Rives course in Ambès like?
42.195 km, ultra-flat, with aid stations roughly every 5 km. The course follows the Ambès peninsula between the two Gironde rivers. It's known as a course built for performance and even pacing.
How do you qualify for the French Marathon Championships?
The FFA championships are open to FFA-licensed athletes in senior and masters categories, with qualifying minima published by the Fédération Française d'Athlétisme. For 2027, watch athle.fr and the support race, which will be announced in the coming months.