The Paris Marathon is a unique opportunity to discover the city whilst participating in one of the most exciting races over the mythical distance of 26 miles, 385 yards.

The Paris Marathon is today one of the five biggest in the world (along with New-York, London, Berlin and Chicago), not only in terms of the field present, but also by the performances accomplished, the services and logistics put in place and the media coverage.

One hundred nations and more than 40,000 runners will be competing over the 26 miles and 385 yards of the most mythical event that athletics has to offer.
On the second weekend of April, this journey through Paris, from the Champs-Elysées to avenue Foch via the Bois de Vincennes and Bois de Boulogne woods, boasts an unrivalled backdrop dotted with a wealth of popular events.

The “Running Expo” fair at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre during the 3 days leading up to the Marathon has also become an unmissable event, by bringing together 60,000 visitors and around 200 professionals from the running world.

The personal challenge of the race also combines with a visit of the city, as the runners hit the streets in the most prestigious of thoroughfares and squares: at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, the participants take starter’s orders, before heading down the Champs-Elysées, towards Place de la Concorde.

The Rue de Rivoli then leads them to the Place de la Bastille and after the greenery of the Bois de Vincennes wood, the difficulty of the return journey is soothed by views of the Notre-Dame Cathedral and then the Eiffel Tower.

Each year, this route appeals to more and more athlete-tourists, with almost 16,000 competitors from outside France, making up approximately 40% of the field.

 

Running Expo : Start of all your races

 

Running Expo for all running fans : it is not only for the Paris Marathon runners but to all persons that like doing running… You will find all you need for practice : equipement, novelties, accessories, advices and services thanks to the 200 exhibitor present at the show.

Running Expo for all the running practices : running is not only road race. The expo welcome a space dedicated to outdoor sport and trails, that has become a veritable trend over the last few years. In 2013, a new complementary sport will be also presented at Running Expo.

The will take place at the Parc des Expositions de la Porte de Versailles, Hall 1 – 75015 PARIS

From Thrusday 4th to Saturday 6 th April 2013 :

• Thrusday from 3 pm to 8 pm
• Friday from 10 am to 8 pm
• Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm

The entrance is free of charge for everybody !

 

The Paris Marathon is a mass event, with 50 000 registered people. Starting on the prestigious Champs-Elysées is comfortable:

• access by public transport is very close
• access to start is easy by two broad sidewalks
• uggage deposit are relatively close (avenue Foch)
• the first km is run on a 28 meters wide avenue.

The route then takes you to the heart of the capital, along the beautiful sites and monuments.

To guarantee a more comfortable race throughout the 42 km of the Marathon, now we seek to spread the flow of runners, making the pack less compact.

Access to refreshment point will be facilitated, the closer streets can be taken without stress and you will take great pleasure in looking up to visit Paris.

Thus we will stagger the departure of 50,000 participants.
After the warm up music orchestrated by the coaches, start area will be opened one side at a time to limit the number of competitors starting simultaneously.

The first two starting zones (elites and preferential) will go as a group, at the starting signal.
The start of each other areas (red, yellow, blue … pink) will follow simultaneously based on the ranking of the areas on the departure line.
There will be no delay between the starts of different timing references.

We prefer you to wait in the starting line a few more minutes, and make your ride much more comfortable.

Of course, the timing system will allow you to get your real race time; the chip is detected when crossing the start line.

The start will be at 8h35 for the disable and at 8h45 for the others.

There will be 9 starting zones:

Elites : Bibs 1 at 400 200 registered Closing time: 8h30		Preferential : Bibs 601 at 3000 820 registered Closing time: 8h30
Red : Bibs 3001 at 8000 3440 registered Closing time: 8h30		Yellow : Bibs 8001 at 14000 4450 registered Closing time: 8h40
Blue : Bibs 14001 at 27000 9830 registered Closing time: 8h45		Purple : Bibs 27001 at 37000 9870 registered Closing time: 8h55
Green : Bibs 37001 at 50000 11260 registered Closing time: 9h10		Grey : Bibs 50001 at 58000 5510 registered Closing time: 9h15
Pink : Bibs 58001 at 67000 6750 registered Closing time: 9h15

You can enter on the starting zones from both sides of the Champs Elysées Avenue. Keep in mind that you have to enter in your corral with your bib and before the closing time. Download start plan (.pdf, 6.13 Mo, 1 page)

 

 

 

 Source: Paris Marathon Organisers

 

 

 

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