Paris has many running races throughout the year (mostly during the spring and the summer) with the Paris Marathon and Paris Half Marathon as the main ones. «Paris Running Races 2020» is a list of the most suitable ones for a short and busy Parisian stay.
Main Paris Running Races
Schneider Electric Paris Marathon
Date: April 5th, 2020
Distance: 42.195 km
IAAF Gold Label Road Race
44th edition
Sights among others: Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, Place de la Concorde, Rue de Rivoli, the Louvre, Notre-Dame
From the Champs-Elysees to the Place de la Bastille, from the Bois de Vincennes to the Bois de Boulogne, along the banks of the Seine, the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon offers a unique sporting challenge.
55,000 runners, including 23,000 from abroad, come to experience the most legendary route in the most beautiful city in the world! This race across Paris offers an incomparable backdrop, with spectacular views and landmarks all along the way, truly one of the Paris running races you don’t want to miss.
The Salon du Running fair at Porte de Versailles, taking place three days before the marathon, is also an occasion not to be missed, a gathering of over 80,000 visitors with more than 200 professionals from the running world.
Harmonie Mutuelle Paris Half Marathon
Date: March 1st, 2020
Distance: 21.1 km
28th edition
Sights among others: Bastille, Rue de Rivoli, Hôtel de Ville, Quais de Seine, the Bois de Vincennes and its Château, Pont de Tolbiac.
As the first race launching of the season, it attracts more and more runners. In 2018, the Paris half marathon brought together about 45,000 runners including 4000 from abroad. The relatively flat terrain of this race is opened to all levels. Whether you have a performance goal, or you simply want to spend a lovely sporting moment with your family or friends, this race is made for you! You will run across historical places of the world’s fashion capital whilst enjoying the party atmosphere guaranteed by musical entertainment along the entire route.
Smaller and Club Paris Running Races
Paris Royal Gardens Run
Date: Various
Distance: 8km
“Green” and peaceful running tour where runners experience the refined harmony in between royal buildings and gardens. From The Louvre to the Palais du Luxembourg while running through the Jardin des Tuileries, along the Seine and through the Jardin du Luxembourg – this tour is balm for the soul. In addition to the highlights mentioned above, this tour includes stunning Parisian sights such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Panthéon and the musée d’Orsay.
Run My City
Date: May 17th, 2020
Distance: 15 km ; 9 km
4th edition
Sights among others : Hôtel de Ville ; Town halls of the 1st, 2nd, 7th and 9th arrondissements ; Jeu de Paume ; Monnaie de Paris ; Hôtel Lamoignon – Paris City Library, Petit Palais, Cognacq-Jay Museum, Palais Royal Garden, Hôtel de Sully
Run My City event is the opportunity to go through Parisian sights usually closed to the runners! This running experience of a new genre fits runners, sporting people and curious individuals as it’s a sporting walk through several arrondissement mixing architecture, sculpture and art to share with participants. Run My City also provides varied entertainments all along the route!
Les 10 Km des Etoiles
Date: March 8th, 2020
Distance: 10 km
3rd edition
Sights among others: Colonnade du Louvre, Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois Church, Petit Palais, Alexander the 3rd Bridge, Grand Palais, Trocadéro Gardens, Palais de Chaillot, Bir Hakeim Bridge
Les 10 Km des Etoiles, literally the «10 Km of the Stars » as you will run straight back and forth through the Seine left bank highlights while catching a good sight of right bank ones like the Eiffel Tower and the Musée d’Orsay. A peaceful run in the city of star lights!
THE GREEN ONES:
La Soli’Run
Date: March 29th, 2020
Distance: 10 km ; 5 km ; 4 km (walk) ; 1-2 km (kids)
3rd edition
Sight : Bois de Boulogne
« Soli’Run » as « Solidarity Run » because all benefits go to the Habitat et Humanisme Association for taking care of destitute families placed in social housing. This event is a sports program for the whole family and friends with a 5 or 10 km run for adults, a 1 or 2 km run for kids and a 4 km walk. The soli’Run location is a Paris green highlight as it takes place in the Bois de Boulogne, the second-largest park in the French Capital. It covers an area of 845 hectares that is to say 2.5 times the area of Central Park in New York. That will be your playing field (-; With music & dance entertainment along the routes and with a linkbuilding village scattered with stalls of NGO’s as well as ones with local & natural products.
Les 10 km de l’Hexagone
Date: June 28th, 2020
Distance: 10 km
6th edition
Sights : Auteuil racecourse stadium, Bois de Boulogne
The 10 km of the « Hexagone » – designating France for its hexagonal shape – is a National inter – town battle, with a simultaneous race involving 14 cities for the benefit of the National Union of Head & Brain Trauma. Runners start and end on the 400m horse track of the impressive Auteuil stadium! The landscape along the rest of the route is rustic and relaxing as participants will run through the beautiful large park of the Bois de Boulogne. Go Paris!
THE FUN ONES:
The Color Run
Date: March 29th, 2020
Distance: 5 km
7th edition
Sights among others: Hôtel de Ville, Conciergerie, Pont
Out of all Paris running races, the Color Run is really there just to have fun. Participants don’t compete… They run slowly and even walk chatting their way through the heart of Paris. Each kilometre corresponds to a color zone where volunteers throw 100% natural corn starch based powder. So this powder is edible! The run organiser will, of course, hand each participant a starting kit that contains a bib, a t-shirt, a headband as well as temporary tattoos. At the finish line, a bag of colored powder, healthy food supplies with a drink and a snack as well as access to the Color Run Electro Festival will be handed over. Succinctly, you’ll experience a sporting, human and happy adventure.
The Love Run
Distance: 7k m ; 500 m – 1 km – 1.5 km (kids)
Date: TBC (May 2020)
6th edition
Sight : Bois de Boulogne
The Love Run is a romantic 7k run that can be completed as a pair, tied by the wrists! The 6000 participants – couples, friends or colleagues – will experience an exciting route with obstacles & activities challenging them every kilometre. So it’s a happy run where the traditional timed up awards are replaced by the best duos (costumed, fun, glamorous etc.). Also, The Love Run welcomes parent-kid duos for short runs. Finally, the village hosts many wild atractions for all tastes and ages.
THE UNCOMMON ONES:
La Course des Lumières
Date: TBC (November 2020)
Distance: 10 km ; 4 km (walk)
5th edition
Sights among others: Hôtel de Ville, Conciergerie, Pont
« La Course des Lumières » – a charity race to support the Institut Curie and cancer research – means literally « The Run of Lights »… So runners will run by night on a round trip along the Seine river banks while admiring the illuminated historic buildings of the City of Light. There is also the opportunity to register for a relaxing 4 km walking tour. The event goes on then with the light animations and a gig in the village… Party time!
The Paris Breakfast Run
Date: April 4th, 2020
Distance: 5 km
3rd edition
Sights among others: Colonnade du Louvre, Carrousel du Louvre, Pont Royal, Musée d’Orsay, Palais Bourbon, Alexander The 3rd Bridge, Musée du Quai Branly, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars.
On the Eve of the Marathon of Paris, The Paris Breakfast Run welcomes runners of all ages for a small and friendly international run in the heart of Paris. It’s a great opportunity to run through the day after marathon and especially to share an accessible & fun run with family or friends. A 100% French breakfast awaits you on the finish line including local pastries, coffee, fruit juice and the like. The Paris Breakfast Run is definitely the festive meeting which should not be missed before the big Marathon.
Finally, Go! Running Tours Paris suggests you combine the runs above with its « sightruns » to warm up, recover an learn about the city all while guided by a local 😉
There are tons of different Paris running races, and hopefully, this article has given you some ideas on which races suit you! For more information on running in Paris, check out my ultimate guide.
Happy running,
Yohann
Date: Various
Distance: 8 km
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