It is time to start training if you want to participate in the Paris Marathon 2019!

On April 14, 2019, the 43rd Paris Marathon (Marathon de Paris) will wind through Paris.  The Paris Marathon is one of the most popular in Europe with nearly 60,000 participants.  What runner doesn’t want to take advantage of a generally flat course zig-zagging through the most beautiful city in the world?  Need a reason to run?  Here are five good ones.

1.  Experience Paris by Foot Race

Want to see the monuments of Paris by foot? The Paris Marathon winds its way through the streets of Paris and its green spaces.  With a distance of 26.219 miles (42.195 kilometres), this race is an opportunity to cover lots of ground that many people never see.  The race is on vehicle-free streets.  While the exact route changes somewhat each year, be sure that the route will pass the major monuments, track parts of the Seine and take runners to areas they have never seen. You can register here.

2.  Get in Fantastic Shape

Is it time for you to get in shape?  Need a goal?  The Paris Marathon would be a great one!  Flowers blooming, friends from all over the world running alongside, Parisians lining the streets cheering you on.  On the official website, download training guides, a practical guide to a first marathon and everything else you may need for the marathon, available in English and French.  It is meters rather than yards, miles or feet, so get out your calculator if you need to.  Of course there are many other training methods to get you ready for the Parish Marathon.  But, start now.

3.  Support Green Paris

Image from the official site: http://www.schneiderelectricparismarathon.com/en

In keeping with the Parisian emphasis on being green and sustainable, the Paris Marathon encourages everyone to be green! The Paris Marathon’s aim is to be a carbon-neutral marathon by 2019. The official website features a tab entitled, Eco Friendly.  This section explains the Paris Marathon’s efforts to get teens (“Marateeners”) involved in sports and exercise.

The Paris Marathon encourages, “An Integrated Approach” for finding sustainable accommodation, sharing good practices, innovating for future generations and many other positive ideas for sustainability. Want to know if your Parisian hotel is green? Find out here.

And, what about those 560,000 Vittel water bottles?  Waste Management is a section within  the Eco Friendly tab that explains how the Paris Marathon manages trash.  500 waste sorting bins will line the route to collect water bottles, discarded food packaging, and anything else recyclable as well as trash.  These are not only for the participants, but also for the fans!  Besides recycling waste, runners are also encouraged to wear clothes made from cotton or recycled and recyclable materials.

4.  Not a Runner?  Volunteer or Be a Spectator!

Don’t want to run, but want to volunteer?  The official response is:  “With pleasure! We’d be mad to refuse enthusiastic helpers – maybe you can encourage others to help too? Bring your good humour and generous nature and join our hundreds of volunteers to help make this event run smoothly.”  If you want to volunteer, contact Lucas Prado and Arthur Thévenot or email: [email protected].

Even if you are not a runner or cannot commit a day to volunteer, this mass event can be fun to watch!  And, you can walk along the streets that are closed to traffic.  Keep in mind that with 60,000 runners, available rooms and restaurants may be hard to find during the Paris Marathon.  So, if you are planning a trip to Paris around April 14, 2019, take the Paris Marathon into account, book early and expect throngs of people.

5.  Reward for Crossing the Finish Line?

Bragging rights – of course.  But, reward yourself with a magnificent meal in a celebrated Parisian restaurant.  Research and reserve now.  Nearly 60,000 participants plus families, friends and spectators will be celebrating after the race.  Following your recovery, what better reward than a terrific meal with fellow racers, family and friends.

Bonus.  Photos Forever!

Enjoy the photos of you and your friends competing in the famous Paris Marathon for the rest of your life – Priceless!

Ready to Commit to the Paris Marathon?

On September 4, the Paris Marathon will begin accepting registrations.  You can register here: http://www.schneiderelectricparismarathon.com/en/registration/participate