The Paris Marathon is one of the world’s most prestigious marathons due to its long history and large number of participants. At LOCK & enjoy!, we want to accompany you in this renowned race with this post that we have prepared so you can learn in detail everything you need to know.
History and Figures of the Paris Marathon
The first Paris Marathon was organized in 1976, although its exact origin dates back to 1896, as a similar race was organized with only 191 participants.
It is globally recognized as it passes through some of the most beautiful areas of Paris, such as Place de la Bastille, the Eiffel Tower, or the Bois de Boulogne, covering a total of 42 kilometers.
Here are some statistics from the event that showcase its significance:
- A total of 3000 volunteers make this event a huge success.
- Last year, approximately 250,000 people watched the marathon.
- In 2024, 24 tons of bananas, 19 tons of oranges, 7 tons of apples, and 3 tons of fresh fruit were distributed to help runners refuel. Additionally, more than half a million bottles of water were handed out.
- 97% of the participants finish the race, and moreover, 60% do so in a time over 4 hours.
Dates, Times, and Registration
The marathon takes place on April 13 at 08:15 hours.
Registration for the Paris Marathon is done through its website, however, here are the requirements for participation:
Firstly, the registration fee is €85. This fee only covers the cost of the bib and the platform expenses. Children, companies, and organizations can also participate.
However, a bib is only assigned once you have met the minimum fundraising requirement, i.e., you must raise a minimum of €420 through donations on your fundraising page. There are a wide variety of charities and NGOs to choose from to meet this requirement.
Remember, this is a charity race, so the funds raised are directed towards social causes. Currently, nearly 2500 participants, 67 companies, 47 social organizations have participated, and 24000 donations have been made, raising more than one million euros.
Paris Marathon Course
Before you register, we at LOCK & enjoy! recommend you take note of the marathon route we explain here, so you can get a broader idea of the route and its tourist points of interest.
Start: Avenue des Champs-Élysées
The starting point is on the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées, one of the most emblematic places in the city. You can also enjoy a spectacular view of the Arc de Triomphe in the background. Can you imagine being surrounded by thousands of runners and spectators cheering you on?
From there, the route continues towards Place de la Bastille, where runners can see the Luxor Obelisk, as well as the green areas surrounding it.
Place de la Bastille
The race continues along Rue de Rivoli towards the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Gardens.
Once you reach Place de la Bastille, the route continues through the less touristy east of the city, but along broad avenues.
Bois de Vincennes
The next stretch is through the Bois de Vincennes, one of the largest green spaces in the city. This park offers a relaxed and natural environment, with wide areas of trees and shaded paths, which makes the race more bearable.
During this part, you can admire the famous Château de Vincennes, a prominent 14th-century medieval fortress.
Return to Central Paris
After leaving the center, the route continues back to the city center, crossing the River Seine. This is the halfway point of the marathon, and therefore, a key moment to gauge the strength and energy of the participants.
During this part of the race, historical sites such as Notre Dame Cathedral are visible. It is one of the most beautiful parts, as running along the Seine offers spectacular views.
Close to the cathedral, we have lockers at Châtelet-Les Halles. Take the opportunity to leave your backpack or personal belongings in one of our lockers if you decide to finish at this point.
Tunnels
The route continues along the banks of the River Seine. It is a magnificent opportunity to get to know the famous bridges of Paris, as well as the historical buildings and famous boats that sail on the Seine.
In addition, a series of tunnels are crossed, such as the Tuileries Tunnel. This is a very complex part of the course, as the lack of light and temperature change can affect your pace.
Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars
Passing by the Eiffel Tower is one of the most exciting moments of the race due to the large number of spectators in this area. We are sure that seeing this monument will give you a boost. You will also pass by the Champ de Mars.
Furthermore, we have lockers at the Eiffel Tower where you can leave everything you need in a locker. We have different sizes available, and you can enter and exit the premises as many times as you need while your reservation lasts.
Bois de Boulogne
The route in the Bois de Boulogne is the toughest stretch. It is a green and quiet area, however, there is a lot of accumulated fatigue by this point, making it one of the most demanding stretches.
It is also important to know that it is one of the places with fewer spectators, a detail that can affect your motivation.
Final Kilometers
Once you leave the Bois Boulogne, the runners return to the city to continue along Avenue Foch until reaching the finish line. This is the most atmospheric area of the entire marathon, as there are thousands of people cheering on the participants.
Can you imagine crossing the finish line with the Arc de Triomphe in the background?
Don’t hesitate any longer and sign up for the Paris Marathon. When you finish, we encourage you to book one of the tourist activities in Paris to continue enjoying one of the most important cities in the world.
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