Paris Half Marathon: Another European Favourite

4 days ago
3 min read

This tour of eastern Paris kicks off the European distance running season. Well over 40,000 runners start at Pont de Sully (Île Saint-Louis), and finish at the beautiful Place de la Bastille, just round the corner from the start. It's a great way to see the city and if you're not ready for the full marathon this is the perfect alternative. There is a big percentage of first timers in this one so if you're new to halfs this could be a great first option.

Boat with tourists on Seine River; Notre-Dame in background glowing in sunset; people strolling on riverside; clear sky.

The Destination

One of the largest cities in Europe, Paris has the well-deserved reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historic associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food, and design. It's located in the north of France on the river Seine and has a population of 2.2 million people living in the central city and 12 million people in the whole metropolitan area.

It's the most popular tourist destination in the world with 45 million tourists annually, who come to see the likes of the world's most visited tourist sites, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Moulin Rouge, and Lido. A large part of the city, including the River Seine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Paris is home to the world's finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Guerlain, Lancôme, L'Oréal, Clarins, amongst many others. If it's quality cuisine you're after, look no further. The city has more Michelin restaurants than any other city in the world apart from Tokyo.

History

The first event was held in 1993

Race Organiser

Amaury Sport Organisation, a subsidiary of the Amaury Group, media and sport group that owns the newspaper L’Equipe. 500,000 competitors take part in mass events organised by A.S.O. and its British subsidiary, Human Race, every year. They also organise the Paris Marathon.

When?

The race is held annually in March

Distances

Half marathon

Is there an Expo?

There is an event village on the Friday and Saturday before the event where runners must collect their race bibs. There's all the usual extras like talks from the experts, presentations and lots of booths selling running gear and souvenirs.

How many runners?

40,000-45,000

Course

The Paris Half Marathon starts on the Boulevard Saint-Germaine, before a turn across Pont de Sully (great views of Notre Dame Cathedral), to run south along the famous River Seine. At 4km it's past Bibliotheque Francois Mitterrand, the building with tall, angular towers symbolising four open books, and across pont de Tolbiac, to cross the Seine again. It's then into the Bois de Vincennes, the largest park in Paris. Created by Emperor Napoleon lll, the park was a part of the forest that surrounded the ancient Roman town of Lutetia and you'll see plenty of it as you're running through it from 5km to 15km. It's 2,500 acres and is a tenth of the whole of Paris. It's a huge place that also includes the city's zoo. It's then out of the Park, along the Avenue Daumesnil and back along the Seine for the last 6km to the finish at le Rue de Lyon at the Place de la Bastille, right near the start.

Place de la Bastille in Paris — The finish area at Bastille

What's unique?

Great architecture, the River Seine and as usual with a race like this it is very special to be able to run through a major city with no traffic around.

Do charities benefit?

There is an official charity programme, primarily for UK and US charities and you can get a bib from one of them. Alternatively if you have your own bib just set up a fundraising page and try and raise some much needed funds for your favourite charity.

Our verdict

It's a great weekend in one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Half of the race is in the Park, where crowds are much thinner so don't be expecting wall to wall support the whole way round.

How to register

Online via the website. It's a 'first come first served' event, so don't leave it too late. There is no ballot. Packages are available from a number of tour operators. You will need to provide organisers with a medical certificate from your doctor. This needs to be uploaded to the account you set up when you register, or taken to the expo when you collect your number.