Though most of us lose speed as we age, that doesn’t seem to be the case for Fekih Lahcene of Mitry-Mory, France. Last Sunday, at the 10K Prom’Classic de Nice, the 54-year-old set a new French masters 10K record for men’s 50+, crossing the line in a jaw-dropping 31 minutes and eight seconds.
Lahcene averaged a pace of three minutes and seven seconds per kilometre, rightfully landing himself on top of the podium in the men’s masters division and his men’s 50-54 age category. He missed the world record for his age group by a minute, but if he were one year older, his time would have eclipsed the age-group 10K world record for 55+. This record currently stands at 31:40 and is held by former three-time Spanish Olympian Martin Fiz.
Born in Morocco, Lahcene reportedly began running at 12 after a doctor recommended it for physical activity. In an interview with French podcast Adversité, Lahcene said he ran by feel for many years and only started following a training plan after joining the La Meute Running Club (based in Mitry-Mory) in 2021. He attributes his success to the club’s atmosphere and high level of training, as well as his determination and confidence in his coach.
Lahcene has made quite a name for himself in France in the last year, setting the men’s over-50 marathon record of 2:25:19 at the 2024 Valencia Marathon. He also set the men’s 50+ 20km world record at the Paris 20K earlier in the fall.
He said what inspires him the most is seeing older athletes continuing to perform. Lahcene started with shorter distances before eventually moving up to marathons, and says he laughs when he looks back on his first few attempts.
The 54-year-old is on Strava and trains upwards of 100 km to 130 km each week alongside his running club. He mentioned on his page that he is looking forward to returning to the Nice 10K next year to give the record another shot… if he doesn’t break it by then.
