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 2023 is a list of the most suitable ones for a short and busy Parisian stay.
Main Paris Running Races
Schneider Electric Paris Marathon
Date: 2 April 2023
Distance: 42.195 km
IAAF Gold Label Road Race
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 Marathon de Paris offers a unique sporting challenge. At your own pace, visit Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, and many other iconic landmarks along this unforgettable Parisian route.
Harmonie Mutuelle Paris Half Marathon
Date: 5 March 2023
Distance: 21.1 km
Sights among others: Bastille, Rue de Rivoli, Hôtel de Ville, Quais de Seine, the Bois de Vincennes and its Château, Pont de Tolbiac.
Do the 42.195 kilometers of a marathon make you nervous? Would you rather test your abilities on a slightly less demanding and accessible race? The Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris is perfect for you! 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 a 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: 24 – 25 June 2023
Distance: 15 km ; 9 km
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 arrondissements mixing architecture, sculpture, and art to share with participants. Run My City also provides varied entertainment all along the route!
Les 10 Km des Etoiles
Date: 19 March 2023
Distance: 10 km
4th 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: 19 March 2023
Distance: 10 km ; 5 km ; 4 km (walk) ; 1-2 km (kids)
Sight : Bois de Boulogne
« Soli’Run » is « 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 link building village scattered with stalls of NGO’s as well as ones with local & natural products.
Les 10 km de l’Hexagone
Date: 25 June 2023
Distance: 10 km
Sights : Auteuil racecourse stadium, Bois de Boulogne
For its 8th consecutive year, the PARIS 10 KM race is setting up the VILLAGE on the magnificent site of the Hippodrome d’Auteuil, in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, on a large expanse of grass that awaits all the Hexagonists and their companions to meet, warm up and relax, all in summer and festive atmosphere, and to music!
THE FUN ONES:
The Color Run
Date: TBA 2023
Distance: 5 km
7th edition
Sights among others: Hôtel de Ville, Conciergerie, Pont neuf, Musée d’Orsay, Palais Bourbon, Alexander The 3rd Bridge, Musée du Quai Branly, Trocadéro Gardens, Eiffel Tower.
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 kilometer corresponds to a color zone where volunteers throw 100% natural cornstarch-based powder. So this powder is edible! The run organizer 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 UNCOMMON ONES:
La Course des Lumières
Date: TBA 2023
Distance: 10 km ; 4 km (walk)
Sights among others: Hôtel de Ville, Conciergerie, Pont neuf, Musée d’Orsay, Alexander The 3rd Bridge, Eiffel Tower, Musée du Quai Branly, Palais Bourbon, Musée d’Orsay
« 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: TBC
Distance: 5 km
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 the 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 that should not be missed before the big Marathon.
Finally, Go! Running Tours Paris suggests you combine the runs above with its « sight runs » to warm up, recover and 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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