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Marathon de Paris, Paris Marathon 2009/2010
Every year in April, 35,000 runners crowd the streets of Paris in the annual Marathon
de Paris – or Paris International Marathon. This event, in the form that it appears
in today, has been happening ever since 1977, and the next time is on Sunday,
April 5, 2009.
The first time a marathon was run in Paris was as early as 1896 over
the at that time official distance of 40 km. The Paris Marathon is limited to 35,000
entrants and the maximum is reached almost every year. Before your entrance is submitted
you need a medical certificate affirming your physical fitness. Throughout the marathon
runners get a good view of the magnificent city and some of its famous sights.
The course starts out right in front of the Triumphal Arch and continues down the broad
Champs Elysées. The route passes through two Parisian woods and past fabulous landmarks
such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and Place de la Bastille. A large
part of the course runs along the banks of the calmly flowing Seine River providing
pleasing scenery and ensuring flat streets at the same time. The wide avenues at
the start prevents overcrowding and the overall flatness of the course makes it
fairly fast. PB setting is definitely an option.
If the historic city, the world famous sites and the peaceful, shady parks don’t do it for you, you can count on the
250,000 onlookers and the 70 music scenes to keep you going. And if that isn’t enough,
you can always look forward to the red wine and cheese served at the 35th km – apparently,
the organisers want you to be absolutely sure that you’re in France. If a 42 km
jog on the Parisian asphalt doesn’t sound like your favourite pastime but you still
want a chance to run this beautiful city and experience the intense atmosphere of
a marathon, you can do the 5.2 km Breakfast Race on race day. Or – if you’re really
tough – use the race as a warm-up for the marathon. The Breakfast Race course will
take you past the Eiffel Tower, the imposing Trocadéro and almost up to the Triumphal
Arch. There is also the possibility of a half marathon, if you plan your trip to
Paris in March. The 1/2 marathon shares most of its course with the full marathon.
Find out more on registration at the official Paris Marathon website
here.
Marathon de Paris 2009 Course
The incredibly scenic
marathon course through the heart of Paris can be scrutinized both in regular
map-style and in a fancy aerial view version.
Results and more information can be found on the next page:
Paris Marathon 2009/2010 Results and Information