Yesterday morning, the 15th edition of the Prom’Classic was a sold-out event. More than 8,000 participants took over the famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice, allowing the Prom’Classic to maintain its position as the number one 10 km race in France!
<img42734|left> Ideal weather conditions: cloudy skies, pleasant temperatures, and no wind allowed Sophie DUARTE to secure the women’s podium and at the same time set a new record for the distance by crossing the finish line in 32’21’’. In the men’s race, it was the Frenchman Abdellatif MEFTAH who took the top spot on the podium in 29’20’’.
The women’s record has been broken!
At 10 a.m., several thousand spectators had gathered to cheer on the competitors, who set off in six waves accompanied by pacers.
In the men’s race, it was halfway through that the frontrunners broke away from the rest of the pack, making the race tactical.
Indeed, Abdellatif MEFTAH conserved energy by allowing his adversaries Driss EL HIMER, Badredine ZIONI, and Mounir HSAIN to lead while remaining the “boss” of the race. It was in the very last meters that the podium was decided with shoulder-to-shoulder finishes.
The Frenchman Abdellatif MEFTAH (Editor’s note: already the winner of the Prom’Classic in 2012 with 28’47’’) with a final effort wins this 15th edition of the Prom’Classic in 29’20’’, followed by Mounir HSAIN in 29’22’’ and Badredine ZIONI who completes the podium in 29’29’’.
The top regional Abdelhakim ZILALI finished in 30’11’’, securing the 11th spot in the scratch ranking. At the starting line alongside the favorites of the event, Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, a loyal participant in events organized by Azur Sport Organisation, finished with a time of 53’20’ bearing bib number 6.
Among the women, at the starting line, the 2013 European Cross Country champion Sophie DUARTE was determined to secure a place on the podium. Beside her, Laurane PICOCHE (Editor’s note: already the winner of the Prom’Classic in 2012 in 33’19’’) and Bénédicte ROBIN (personal best of 34’11’’) were ready for the challenge. In the initial kilometers
Sophie DUARTE took the lead to general surprise, leaving her main rivals behind. She secured the first place and at the same time set a record for the Prom’Classic in 32’21’’ (The record was held by Christelle DAUNAY in 2013 at 32’26’’). Laurane PICOCHE, a favorite on paper, finished second in 33’30’’ followed by Ophélie CLAUDE-BOXBERGER in 33’44’’.
Note the first place in the regional ranking for Anne TABARANT in 35’24’’, a member of the AMSL FREJUS Club.
The Prom’ Classic in numbers:
Top 5 competitors ranking:
Men : 1. Abdellatif MEFTAH (FR): 29’20’’ / 2. Mounir HSAIN(FR): 29’22’’ 3. Badredine ZIONI(FR): 29’29’’/ 4. Driss EL HIMER (FR) : 29’32”/ 5. Benjamin CHOQUERT (FR) : 29’47”
Course record: Saïd TBIBI – 28’38’’ – 2007
Women: 1. Sophie DUARTE (FR): 32’21’’/ 2. Laurane PICOCHE (FR): 33’30’’
3. Ophélie CLAUDE-BOXBERGER (FR): 33’44’’/ 4. Marion JOLY-TESTAULT (FR): 34’58’’/ 5. Bénédicte ROBIN (FR): 35’15’’
Course record: Sophie DUARTE – FR – 32’21’’ – 2014
