Paris Marathon 2026
David Chelly, January 15, 2026
Date and course
Held since 1976 through the streets of Paris, the Paris Marathon is a race over the official distance of 42.195 km. The 2026 edition, also known as the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon, takes place on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The start is on the Champs-Élysées and the finish is judged near Avenue Foch, after a loop that crosses the major Parisian avenues and landmarks. The route changes slightly from year to year, but the spirit remains the same: a fast, heavily attended urban marathon, with iconic landmarks along the way and dense crowds on many sections.
Distance and entry requirements
The Paris Marathon distance is 42.195 km. The event is open from the U23 age category upward, which for the 2025-2026 season corresponds to runners born in 2006 or earlier. Registration is done online, and since bib numbers are limited, entry fees generally rise in tiers as sales progress, with entries potentially closing before the deadline if the quota is reached.
Bib pickup and required documents
Bibs are collected before the race at the Run Experience expo, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. They are not handed out on race day, which is an important point for weekend planning. As for medical proof, the standard medical certificate is no longer required; runners need either an eligible FFA license or a Parcours Prévention Santé (PPS) number dated less than three months before the race, to be uploaded to the participant portal.
How to watch and follow the race
The Paris Marathon can be followed in two ways. For spectators, the simplest approach is to position yourself in wide, well-served areas near a metro station, so you can move between viewing points, especially between the start, a central section and the finish. For those following a runner, the tracking tools provided by the organizers, combined with the bib number, generally allow you to receive split times and a progress estimate along the course.
Tips for running in Paris
For gear, the most reliable approach in April is light layering: a breathable top, possibly a thin layer at the start that's easy to remove, and rain or wind protection if the weather calls for it. Well broken-in shoes, an outfit tested on long training runs, and a simple hydration strategy avoid most problems. On race day, starts are staggered in waves from the morning, so it's important to arrive early and allow time to reach the corrals. Finally, it's worth deciding before the race whether the goal is a finish time or the experience, since the atmosphere, crowd density and surges through Paris require different effort management than a more "rural" marathon.
Label and history
The Paris Marathon ranks among the major internationally recognized road races. Its modern organization is handled by A.S.O. together with Paris Athlétisme Compétition, and the event carries an official label, guaranteeing strict standards for the course, safety and organization. It is also one of the few races in France able to bring together, on the same day, the world's elite and tens of thousands of amateur runners on a route through the heart of the capital.