Being a marathon runner, I would possibly like to go to Paris in a the month of April as that is when the Paris Marathon takes place. It is one of the largest races in the world. The interesting aspectof this race, is that at the 35km mark, runners, instead of water, get wine & cheese. Apparrently they still want you to know you are still in Paris.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. Why 40km? Because that's the distance from Marathon to Athens, Greece. 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. 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.
The first time a marathon was run in Paris was as early as 1896 over the at that time official distance of 40 km. Why 40km? Because that's the distance from Marathon to Athens, Greece. 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. 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.
Wine and cheese?! This must be quite the experience. I ran a marathon in 2000, but it would take quite a bit of work for me to get ready again. Maybe the half? I've done a few of those over the years. A marathon in Paris has got to be the ultimate!
ReplyDeleteLove the photo.