Jimmy Gressier produced yet another memorable finish line celebration after dominating the half-marathon at the European Running Championships in Leuven, Belgium (April 12).
The French athlete, who was one of the heavy favourites to triumph over 13.1 miles at the inaugural event, knocked one second off his half-marathon best of 59:46 and beat Norway’s Awet Nftalem Kibrab by one minute and 23 seconds.
Gressier went into the race off the back of two European records – 12:54.92 for an indoor 5000m in Boston and 12:57 over 5km in Lille – so it was no surprise to see him translate that speed to a half-marathon.
For a while it looked like the 27-year-old could even potentially break Julien Wanders’ European half-marathon record of 59:13 – Gressier went through 5km/10km in 13:52/27:50 – but the second half of the undulating course proved much tougher.
Jimmy Gressier (Getty)
“I felt very good during the race,” he said. “The goal was to go out on my own and to let go of the competitors as soon as possible. I wanted to control the race from the front. This season I have achieved all my goals. Now it’s time to enjoy those results this afternoon with my family. We will focus on the next races after my holidays. I haven’t run a half marathon since 2023 and it’s only the third one of my career.
“I was delighted to run that distance again and one I really appreciate. It feels quite easy for me because we run at a good pace that’s quite comfortable, it’s just a bit long. I am very satisfied of this performance today. I am not planning to run much many half marathons anytime soon though!”
Gressier crossed the line by leaping over the finish tape and later stated that he’d celebrated like that because he wants to do the 3000m steeplechase this summer.
Men’s half-marathon podium (Getty)
The last 3000m steeplechase that Gressier competed in was five years ago and he ran 8:24.72. The Frenchman did secure an outright flat 3000m personal best of 7:30.18 at February’s Millrose Games.
Gressier’s compatriot Valentin Gondouin placed third and France claimed the team gold medal.
Gondouin took the final podium after finishing just one second ahead of Ireland’s Efrem Gidey, with the pair tussling it out in a sprint finish, clocking 61:54 and 61:55 respectively.
Gidey, who is coached by Andy Hobdell and trains with the Makou Endurance group, spoke to AW after the race and stated that he suffered a stitch at 10km, so was proud to finish at all.
Chloé Herbiet (Getty)
With thousands of recreational runners taking part in the half-marathon mass participation event, Belgium fans lined the streets all over Leuven.
It was no surprise then that, with people draped in national colours, the biggest cheer of the day came when Chloé Herbiet won the women’s title on home soil.
The 26-year-old clocked 70:43 – not far off her personal best of 70:04 – and couldn’t quite believe it when she crossed the line.
“I approached the finish line and was constantly looking behind,” she said. “There are a lot of emotions right now. I am really proud of myself because I have put in the work during the whole race. I wanted to show today that I have the talent and that I won’t quit. This victory is also a beautiful chapter that closes.
“I have trained on my own in the last months. But I also know that all my past has formed me to be the athlete I am today. I wanted to close it off in style and show that, on my own or accompanied, what I love most is running. It was incredible to run in front of a home crowd.
“If I am European champion today it’s also thanks to the crowd that gave me wings. The most difficult for me was to arrive here at the Europeans healthy and without injury. And that happened so I could run freely today.”
Women’s half-marathon podium (Getty)
Herbiet’s compatriot Juliette Thomas placed second, with the pair securing a 1-2 on home soil. Thomas finished in 70:57 and Italian Sara Nestola completed the podium with 71:26.
Diane van Es, who led the race with Herbiet and Thomas for three quarters of it – the trio went through 5km in 16:40, 10km in 33:16 and 15km in 50:26 – didn’t finish and dropped out in the last kilometre.
The Dutch athlete is also down to do the 10km tomorrow, which potentially looks doubtful now.
Hannah Irwin was the only Brit who competed in the half-marathon at the European Running Championships and she finished 16th with 73:54.
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