2024 HARMONIE MUTUELLE SEMI DE PARIS

Posted by Corriendo la Vida on February 26, 2024 in 2024 harmonie mutuelle semi de paris, marathon, paris, trail running france, trail running spain | Leave a comment

2024 HARMONIE MUTUELLE SEMI DE PARIS. Our Marathon section bring us the last news from Paris, where everyone has their objetives and records.

With a world-class field of both men and women, the records set last year could be broken. French runners will also have their say at the head of a field where everyone, at their level, will be able to take advantage of a fantastic atmosphere to claim their first finisher’s medal.

A.S.O./Maxime Delobel

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2024 HARMONIE MUTUELLE SEMI DE PARIS

In an event as popular as the Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris, there are many objectives and ambitions. There are the champions, of course, chasing every last second to achieve a good result, a superb performance or even a record. Behind them, even if the pleasure of taking part in such a prestigious race in the streets of Paris is often the main driving force, many set off with a precise idea of the time they hope to achieve. A time under 1 hour 20 minutes, 1 hour 30 minutes, 2 hours, or even 2 hours 30 minutes can be just as motivating.

Men Favourites

At the forefront of the race are the Kenyan athletes, renowned for their dominance in long-distance running. Roncer Kipkorir won last year’s race (59:38s, event record). The Kenyans have won 20 of the 30 editions since the first in 1993, will be the clear favourites with three runners under 60 minutes.

Led by Leonard Barsoton (59:09s, Valencia, 2019) and Alfred Barkach (59:32s, Lille, 2023), both boasting impressive times under 60 minutes, the Kenyan contingent is poised to extend their legacy of success at the event. Another runner worth keeping an eye on is 36-year-old Bernard Koech, who is still capable of a big performance, as demonstrated by his victory in the Hamburg marathon last year in 2h4:09s (personal best) and his second place in the Copenhagen half marathon last September, in 59:13s. Lastly, in the Kenyan camp, Victor Kipruto, who won in Madrid last year in 60:04s, will look to break the symbolic one-hour barrier.

Not to be overlooked, French athletes are also poised to make their mark at the event. With several runners meeting the Olympic marathon minimum (2h8:10s, with three race numbers available) and Mehdi Frère leading the charge, the French contingent is determined to challenge the Kenyan dominance and vie for top honors on home soil. Mehdi Frère, is the best French runner at this 2024 event (60:34s in Valencia in 2022), whose time of 2h5:43s in the marathon in Valencia has already opened the doors to the Olympic Games. Florian Carvalho, Hassan Chahdi (61:21s, in 2022, 4th last year in Paris), and the 2022 European cross-country team champion Donovan Christien (58:59s over 20 km) will also be worth keeping a close eye on.

A.S.O./ Alexandre Baudet

Women favourites

Last year’s winner Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui, with a time of 1h6:01s (event record) is looking for a successor among a wide range of athletes. Romanian Joan Chelimo Melly, who excels in marathons (winning the Seoul Marathon in 2022 in 2h18:04s), has the best record with her victory in Prague in 2018 with a superb time of 1h5:04s (the Kenyan-born long-distance runner has represented Romania since May 2021, the native Kenyan will be eligible to compete for her new country starting on 3 July 2024, and therefore at the Olympic Games). She will be up against the leading African runners, who have dominated since 2009 and the victory of Latvian Jelena Prokopčuka (who also won in 2003 and 2002). The new Romanian will have to be wary of her former compatriot Nesphine Jepleting (1st in Prague in 2022 in 1h6:57s) and Ethiopian Birho Gidey (1h7:57s, in Naples, in 2020).

Meanwhile, the rise of French women runners, exemplified by talents like 23-year-old Manon Trapp (3rd at Lille 2023, in 1h11:26s), who clocked a very good 2h25:48s last December at the Valencia marathon. And Anaïs Quemener, the best French runner in Paris in 2023 (7th), in 1h11:59s (personal best), who is currently on top form with her marathon personal best (2h28:48s) in Seville on Sunday 18 February, and Marjolaine Nicolas, 9th in 2023 (1h13:20s).

A.S.O./Maxime Delobel

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Nearly 3,500 runners under 90 minutes in 2023

Numerous participants are eager to push their boundaries, with a significant portion of the field, including 44.3% first-time half-marathoners, setting specific time goals. In the previous year, among nearly 46,000 entrants, 34% identified as “competitive runners,” and 57% maintained a rigorous training regimen of at least three runs per week leading up to the Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris. Impressively, nearly 3,500 individuals (including over 200 women) achieved finish times below the 1 hour 30-minute mark, equivalent to maintaining a pace of 4 minutes and 15 seconds per kilometer or exceeding 14 kilometers per hour.

Despite notable variations in elevation along the course, the event’s expansive pathways and meticulous organization ensure good running conditions, allowing participants to pursue their ambitions effectively. Moreover, the uplifting atmosphere provides a motivational boost, enabling runners to overcome fatigue and strive towards achieving their desired finish times.