End of year race: Adrien Latestère finally wins

Lhe race at the end had suffered the cold of winter in recent years but not yet a big hit of humidity. This Sunday morning, the 23rd edition did not escape the rain and the wind, the peloton emerged a little soaked from its 10 km journey through the streets of Bayonne. Certainly, the first, Adrien Latestère in the lead, almost went through the drops, but the tail of the long peloton took on water: “We got wet but we had a lot of fun. For once we had the streets of the city to ourselves, we took advantage of it,” remarked a Bayonnaise who came to run with a group of around twenty friends.

4,300 arrivals

The organizers of the athletics section of Aviron Bayonnais had registered 5,000 runners. The bad weather conditions did not discourage many people, 4,300 managed to cross the finish line, a new record… 500 more than last year under the sun! As for the walkers, there was little giving up: 650 out of the 700 engaged at the start of the 5 km on the banks of the Nive. Only the wind dampened the enthusiasm of the participants in this morning trip through the maze of streets of the city.

The times recorded at the arrival of the first attest to 2 minutes more: 32 min 15 for the winner Adrien Latestère ahead of Baptiste Plaisir, the outgoing winner who had achieved 30 min 39 last year. “It’s true that the wind rushing through the small streets slowed down the pace of the race,” admitted the winner, who did not shy away from his pleasure of adding this Race at the end of the year to his prize list: “Twice already, on the podium, finally victory. This time I managed to win in the final,” said the former duathlon world champion.

The revelation of the day will remain Iban Garicotz. The hope of Ascain, 3rd just ahead of his elder, the Cibourian Jérôme Camacho: “I am happy to see that the next generation is coming up,” remarked Pierre Urruty, who this year is content with 6th place.

A champion

The women's list of winners has been enriched by a new champion in the person of Marie Bouchard, Breton, vice-champion of France in cross-country and half-marathon. Despite unfavorable conditions, she is approaching the record for the event established 2 years ago by another French champion, Mélody Julien (34 min 15). “I found the course nice, lots of restarts like a cross country, a good-natured atmosphere. »

Marie Bouchard beat her former friend from the French team Maeva Danois. Bayonnaise Marie Laplace, more accustomed to trail running than to tarmac races, completes the podium.

Hats off finally to the team of the Club Olympique Bayonnais winner of the joëlettes ranking and to all the participants who made it possible to present a check for 5,700 euros to the association Les Battements d'Elles 64 (1 euro taken from each registration fee). It just goes to show that this race at the end of the year was not just about letting off steam for the runners!