Are you ready to run the Paris Marathon? If yes, then you should start preparing now.
The race has become one of the biggest marathons in the world. In 2017 alone, over 50,000 runners participated in the event.
Below we have everything you need to know about the Paris marathon route, and how to qualify for it.
What Is The Paris Marathon?
This event is considered one of the largest marathons in the World.
The number of participants is nearly 145 nationalities and 55 thousand people run this marathon every year.
You’ll get amazing experiences along the route as you enjoy spectacular views and landmarks.
Parisians love running because of its beauty and history.
Runners race in the most beautiful places in France. Running is popular among those who come to run in Paris.
The Paris Marathon is a very popular event. There are many runners who participate in this race every year.
The marathon starts at the Champs-Élysées, then goes through most of the beautiful city to then meet at the Bois de Vincennes.
Then, it returns to go along the river Seine, finally, it ends in front of Avenue Foch.
The first-ever Paris-based Marathon was held in the year 1896. It started when a big crowd of people gathered to watch over 190 competitors.
This was a run that traveled over 40 km to Conflans-Sainte-Honorine via Brussels.
The organizers decided to give an award, consisting of commemorative medals, to the participants and runners who finished the race in four hours or less.
A forty-kilometer distance was chosen, as this was close to the distance separating most Marathons from the Olympics that took place in Athens.
The current 42.195 kilometers is used by the International Association of Athletics Federations.
A woman named Marie Louise led the first-ever women’s marathon.
She ran a time of 5 hours, 40 minutes, and 20 seconds. Her prize money was roughly just over 200 or so Francs.
How Does The Paris Marathon Work?
In years past, the race was known for a lack of public participation.
Now, however, the race draws huge crowds and provides plenty of entertainment for spectators.
Marathon runners and spectators alike can enjoy the beautiful scenery and plentiful red wine during the race.
There are also several other races taking place the day before the main event.
The Paris International Marathon also features a Marathon Expo, a three-day event promoting running.
Runners pick up their bibs here, and the expos are open to the public! More than 60,000 people attend the expo each year.
In order to avoid being late, you should register as soon as possible. You get a bib number based on your finishing position.
Red means you’re the fastest person at the race. Yellow means you’re second fastest. Blue means third fastest.
Purple means fourth fastest. Green means the fifth fastest. Pink means sixth fastest.
Registration is required before running the Paris Marathon. Medical clearance is necessary to run the race.
The Paris Marathon is a great event because it takes place in a beautiful city.
What Route Does The Paris Marathon Take?
The Paris marathon route takes place around the city of lights, starting and finishing at the Arc de Triomphe.
The route goes past some of the most famous places in the city, including the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame cathedral, the Bastille prison, and the Eiffel Tower.
The race fills up 6 months in advance. This course is run by the Paris Marathon Association.
There are many cafés, gardens, and shady areas along the route.
You can stop at refreshment stations every five kilometers or three and a half miles.
At the 1- and 21-kilometer mark, you can see the start/finish line.
What Do I Need To Know Before Starting the Paris Marathon?
There are many races that take place around the world.
Some of them are marathons, some of them are half-marathon races, and others are shorter distances such as 10Ks or 5Ks.
These races vary in distance, but most of them have a starting point and an ending point.
Each race has a certain number of participants, and usually, there are a few people who are in charge of helping other runners along the course.
In order to become a pacemaker, you need to have run the previous five marathons at the same speed.
The first marathon is the easiest because you don’t have to worry about pacing yourself. You just have to go as fast as possible.
As the race goes on, you’ll notice that other runners drop off.
This means that you’ll be alone for a while, but eventually, you’ll see another runner coming up next to you.
When this happens, you should slow down a bit so that you won’t lose too much time.
Another thing that you should do is make sure that you stay close to the person leading the pack. If you get far behind, you’ll never catch up.
On the other hand, if you move ahead of the group, you might miss the finish line.
Also, you shouldn’t try to run faster than everyone else.
If you do, you’ll end up losing time. Instead, you should try to match the pace of those who are right beside you.
Paris Marathon results show that the average runner finishes about 2 hours after the start.
There were over 30,000 runners this year. Most of them came from other countries.
The winner receives $63,000. Second place wins $38,000. Third place wins $25,000.
The top 10 finishers get shares if they meet the time requirement (2:11:45).
Runners who try to break the course record are often very motivated. They usually have great endurance, but lack speed.
They may be able to run fast for short distances, but they’re unlikely to finish a marathon in less than 3 hours.
Step By Step: How Can I Qualify For The Paris Marathon?
You should start training at least 3 months before the race.
Training for a marathon takes time and effort. Make sure you follow a proper plan that suits your fitness level.
Before you decide to participate in the race, you should visit the official website and read the rules carefully.
There are several requirements that you need to meet before participating in the race. These include:
- You must be 18 years old or older.
- Your passport must be valid for 6 months before the date of completion of the race.
- You must have no medical condition that would prevent you from running 26.2 miles.
The best way to prepare yourself for the race is to sign up for a half-marathon.
A half-marathon is shorter than a full marathon. It usually lasts around 13 kilometers (8 miles).
There are many benefits associated with signing up for a half-marathon rather than a full marathon.
For example, you will not feel exhausted after completing the race. You will also enjoy better sleep afterward.
Another benefit of signing up for a half is that you will receive free entry into the race.
Another reason why you should consider signing up for a half-marathon instead of a full marathon is that you will save money.
Half-marathon registration fees are much cheaper than those of a full marathon.
To register for the race, you can either use an online form or download the application form.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing further instructions.
Make sure you complete the race application within 30 days of receiving the email.
If you don’t qualify for the race, you may still be able to enter as a walker. However, you will only receive a medal.
When Should I Start Training For The Paris Marathon?
Most marathon training plans are around 12 weeks long, so you should start training roughly 3 months before the marathon is due to begin!
Final Thoughts
If you want to qualify for the Paris marathon, then you should start preparing now. This means that you should start exercising regularly.
You should also ensure that you follow a well-planned training program.
You should also make sure that you stick to the program until the day of the race. Do not skip any workouts.
You should also try to avoid injuries during training.
Injuries could affect your performance on the day of the race, which could result in disqualification.
We hope this article has helped you to understand the marathon event and how a public marathon works, as well as how to qualify for the Paris marathon specifically!
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