Louise Serban-Penhoat

Louise Serban-Penhoat is one of those who move forward with heart and legs. After starting out in athletics on the tracks of Lyon, where she distinguished herself in the steeplechase, the 1500m and cross-country, Louise naturally gravitated towards long distances, always seeking to push her limits. It was when she settled in Annecy in 2021 that she discovered trail running, a sport that quickly became a true revelation: effort meets the mountain, nature becomes a training partner.

In just a few months, Louise made this new world her own. The following year, she secured a qualification for the European Mountain Running Championships, before representing France at the Short Trail World Championships in Thailand. In 2023, she chose to specialize in marathon formats (50-60 km), where she once again stood out by stepping onto the second podium at the French Championships. This performance opened the doors to the World Championships in Austria, where she won the team world champion title.

Louise is also a resilient athlete. If 2024 is punctuated by beautiful races despite a first injury, it is in January 2025 that a skiing accident temporarily takes her away from the trails with a torn cruciate ligament. But as always, Louise faces this stage with patience and determination, driven by the strength she draws from the mountain.