Marathon de Paris

Location: Paris
Country: France
Website: https://www.schneiderelectricparismarathon.com/en
2025 Marathon Date: 13/04/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 12/04/2026
Winning Time 2025: 02:05:25
% Sub-3s: 2–5%
# Sub-3s: 2000+
Total Runners: 40k+

The Marathon de Paris is one of Europe’s largest city marathons, held each spring in the French capital. With over 50,000 finishers in recent years, it offers a grand-scale race experience through the historic streets and monuments of Paris.

The course starts on the Champs-Élysées and follows a scenic loop through the heart of the city, passing landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Place de la Bastille, Notre-Dame and the Bois de Vincennes. The route is mostly flat but includes a few gentle climbs and underpasses that can impact pacing if not anticipated.

Weather in mid-April is usually mild, with cool starts and low risk of heat. Conditions are typically favourable for endurance running, though some stretches along the river can be breezy. The large field and wave starts help reduce congestion, but runners aiming for sub-3 should position themselves carefully and be prepared to navigate crowds in the early kilometres.

Organisation is professional, with extensive signage, aid stations and crowd support. The atmosphere is festive and international, drawing runners from around the world. While the field size can be overwhelming for some, the sheer scale of the event makes for an unforgettable experience.

For sub-3 marathoners, the Marathon de Paris offers a mix of opportunity and challenge. The course is fast enough to support strong times, but the sheer volume of runners and subtle pacing disruptions demand focus and preparation. For those looking to combine a fast marathon attempt with one of the world’s great city races, Paris remains a compelling choice.