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Paris Half Marathon 2027: HOKA Semi de Paris Guide
- Aug 3
- 7 min read
The Paris Half Marathon, officially known as the HOKA Semi de Paris, is one of Europe's biggest half marathons and a popular way to start the spring running season. The race takes runners through eastern Paris, alongside the River Seine and through the Bois de Vincennes before returning towards a finish at Place de la Bastille.
For anyone who wants to experience a major running event in Paris without taking on the full marathon distance, the Paris Half Marathon is certainly one to consider.
The Destination
Paris hardly needs an introduction. The French capital is one of Europe's great city-break destinations, making the Paris Half Marathon particularly appealing if you want to combine a race with a few days away.
The River Seine runs through the heart of the city and many of Paris's most famous attractions are relatively easy to reach from the centre. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sacré-Cœur are among the obvious places to visit, while the city also has countless museums, galleries, cafés, restaurants and neighbourhoods to explore.
The half marathon concentrates primarily on the eastern side of Paris rather than passing every famous landmark. Instead, the race experience includes the Seine, Boulevard Saint-Germain, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Bois de Vincennes, Château de Vincennes, Hôtel de Ville, Rue de Rivoli and Bastille.
Paris is also very easy to reach from the UK. Eurostar services arrive at Gare du Nord, while Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports provide extensive international connections. Once you are there, the Metro and RER networks make getting around the city relatively straightforward.
History Of The Paris Half Marathon
The first Paris Half Marathon was held in 1993 and the event has developed into one of the biggest races over the distance anywhere in the world.
The race has had several title sponsors over the years and was previously known as the Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris. HOKA became title sponsor in 2025 as part of a five year partnership, making the official event name the HOKA Semi de Paris.
Participation has continued to grow with a record 50,000 entrants in 2026.
Who Organises The Paris Half Marathon?
The Paris Half Marathon is organised by Amaury Sport Organisation, better known as A.S.O., one of the world's largest sports event organisers.
A.S.O. also organises the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris and has a huge international portfolio of sporting events that includes the Tour de France and Dakar Rally. More than 500,000 competitors take part in mass participation events organised by A.S.O. and its subsidiaries each year.
When Is The Paris Half Marathon 2027?
The HOKA Semi de Paris is traditionally held in March and is one of the first major European half marathons of the spring.
The official date for the 2027 Paris Half Marathon had not been announced when this guide was updated. If you are planning to travel to Paris for the race, wait for confirmation from the organisers before booking non-refundable travel or accommodation.
The Paris Half Marathon Running Village
Runners need to visit the official HOKA Semi de Paris Running Village before race day to collect their race bib. For the 2026 event, the village was held at the Grande Halle de la Villette on the Friday and Saturday before the race.
The village includes event partners and running brands alongside race information and opportunities to buy running kit. The 2026 edition featured almost 30 exhibitors.
The location and opening arrangements for 2027 should be checked once they are confirmed. Give yourself enough time to collect your bib rather than leaving it until the last possible moment, particularly if you are travelling into Paris on the Saturday.
Race Morning
With around 50,000 runners taking part, race morning is busy and it is worth arriving in plenty of time. Runners are allocated to starting areas based on their expected finishing time, with bibs checked as they enter their designated area.
The race uses waves and smaller groups to manage the number of runners entering the course. This helps spread the field, although you should still expect the opening stages to be crowded.
Recent editions have started on Boulevard Saint-Germain and finished at Place de la Bastille. Public transport is generally the best way to reach the start because of road closures around the race route.
A free bag-drop facility has also been provided for runners, with the 2026 facility located on Boulevard de la Bastille. The exact arrangements for 2027 may change, so check the final runner instructions for your start time, access point, baggage arrangements and recommended Metro or RER stations.
Paris Half Marathon Course
The Paris Half Marathon course provides a tour of eastern Paris, combining major city streets, stretches alongside the Seine and a substantial section through the Bois de Vincennes.
Recent editions have started on Boulevard Saint-Germain before heading east through the city and alongside the Seine. Runners pass the Bibliothèque Nationale de France before continuing towards the Bois de Vincennes.
The Bois de Vincennes is one of the largest green spaces in Paris and gives the middle part of the race a very different atmosphere from the city streets. The route takes runners through this part of eastern Paris and past the Château de Vincennes before turning back towards the centre.
The return journey takes runners through the Daumesnil area and back towards central Paris. Later stages feature Hôtel de Ville and Rue de Rivoli before the final approach towards the finish at Place de la Bastille.
It is worth understanding the nature of the route before you enter. Although this is very much a Paris city race, a substantial section takes place in and around the Bois de Vincennes, where spectator support is generally thinner than on the central city sections. The contrast between the quieter park and the busier streets is one of the characteristics of the race.
Aid stations are positioned approximately every 5km. The organisers have been reducing single-use items at the event and encourage runners to carry their own suitable container for drinks, so check the 2027 hydration arrangements carefully before race day.
As with any major city event, the exact route can change from year to year. Check the official 2027 course map when it is released rather than relying on the route used for previous editions.
What Makes The Paris Half Marathon Special?
The sheer scale of the event is one of its biggest attractions. There are not many opportunities to join around 50,000 other runners on closed roads through the centre of one of Europe's great cities.
The course also provides an interesting mixture of Paris. You get the Seine, major boulevards and historic architecture alongside the much greener surroundings of the Bois de Vincennes before returning to the city for the finish at Bastille.
For runners who would love to race in Paris but are not ready to tackle the full Paris Marathon, it is an obvious alternative. It is also an attractive early-season race for more experienced runners looking for a major European half marathon.
Is The Paris Half Marathon Good For First Time Runners?
The Paris Half Marathon is a very good option for runners taking on 13.1 miles for the first time. You certainly will not be alone, as 34% of the 2026 field were first-time half marathon runners.
The size of the field means there are runners covering a wide range of paces, while the atmosphere of a major international event can provide plenty of motivation. The trade-off is the sheer number of people taking part, so runners who prefer small, quiet races may find Paris a little overwhelming.
If you enjoy big events and want your first half marathon to feel like a real occasion, however, Paris has a lot going for it.
Running The Paris Half Marathon For Charity
Charity fundraising has become an important part of the HOKA Semi de Paris. The 2026 event included 5,000 charity bibs supporting 110 organisations, with €1.3 million raised through the programme.
A charity place can therefore provide another way of getting into the race. Depending on the charity, runners may need to pay a registration fee and commit to raising a specified fundraising target in return for their place.
If you secure your own entry through the normal registration process, you can of course still use the Paris Half Marathon to raise money for a charity of your choice.
Do You Need A Medical Certificate?
The health requirements for French running events have changed in recent years, so be careful about following information from older Paris Half Marathon guides.
For recent editions, adult runners have been able to meet the health requirement through an eligible French athletics licence or the French Athletics Federation's PPS, the Parcours Prévention Santé or Health Prevention Course. The PPS system replaced the traditional requirement for many runners to obtain a medical certificate from their doctor.
The process must be completed within the timeframe specified for the event. Check the requirements shown in your registration account for the 2027 race rather than assuming that documentation used for an earlier French event will still be valid.
How To Enter The Paris Half Marathon 2027
Registration for the HOKA Semi de Paris is completed online through the official event registration system. Entries are normally sold in different price bands, so registering early can mean paying less for your place.
There is no traditional ballot system like the one used by some of the world's biggest marathons. Places are available through the registration process until the relevant allocation sells out, making this an event where it pays to make your decision early.
Charity bibs can provide another entry route, while international runners may also find packages offered by authorised travel operators.
Once you have registered, keep an eye on your runner account and emails from the organisers for information about the PPS requirements, start allocation, bib collection and final race instructions.
Our Verdict
The Paris Half Marathon deserves its place among Europe's major half marathons. It combines the atmosphere and scale of a huge international running event with an opportunity to see a different side of Paris from the one experienced by most tourists.
The Bois de Vincennes section means you should not expect crowds packed several deep for the entire 13.1 miles, but that is part of the character of the course. You move between busy Paris streets, stretches near the Seine and a large green space before returning towards Bastille for the finish.
For first-time half marathon runners, there is the reassurance of being surrounded by thousands of others taking on exactly the same challenge. More experienced runners get the opportunity to race on closed roads through one of Europe's great cities.
Add in a weekend in Paris and it is easy to understand why the HOKA Semi de Paris has grown into one of the biggest half marathons in the world.
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