There are tons of races in Paris, something for every kind of runner. Each event has its own vibe and a special kind of magic. So we didn’t try to rank them. Instead, we’re sharing them in calendar order, from March through December. Enjoy your training, and have an amazing race season 😀
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The Paris Half Marathon, the perfect way to kick off race season in Paris
The Paris Half Marathon puts the spotlight on eastern Paris, with both the start and finish in the Bois de Vincennes. The course follows the Seine riverbanks before turning back toward Vincennes near Île de la Cité.
More than 40,000 runners line up at the start of this fast half marathon in early March, whether they’re chasing a personal best or simply aiming to earn that finisher medal.
EcoTrail Paris Île-de-France
There’s something for everyone at the EcoTrail Paris Île-de-France. Distances include 18, 30, 45, and 80 kilometers. Every finish line is set at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, with a special bonus for the 80 km runners. They get the rare privilege of finishing on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.
The elevation gain is no joke, around 1,500 m for the 80 km. So who said the Paris region was flat? EcoTrail Paris takes place in mid-March. As a prologue, the Eiffel Tower Vertical, 1,665 steps to climb, happens on Thursday.
Paris Marathon: the iconic race in Paris
The Paris Marathon is the capital’s biggest running event, with nearly 55,000 runners. It’s the number one goal for thousands of athletes. And the course is simply spectacular. From the Champs-Élysées start to the finish in the Bois de Boulogne, with a pass through the Bois de Vincennes, you run past Paris’s most famous landmarks. It’s the ultimate symbol of racing in Paris.
The Paris Marathon takes place in early April, one week before the Boston Marathon and two weeks before the London Marathon.
Oxy’Trail in Paris, Marne Valley
Since 2013, Oxy’Trail Paris, Marne Valley has been on the trail running calendar. In just a few years, it’s clearly earned its spot in the trail world. With 6,500 participants and more than 800 volunteers on the event, Oxy’Trail ranks as the 2nd biggest trail race in Île-de-France and sits in the top 10 trail races in France.
The Oxy’Trail stands out for how accessible it is. Three distances are on the program, 5 km, 11 km, and 23 km, plus kids’ races. That’s the charm of this event, discovering trail running and the natural gems of Paris, Marne Valley in a festive, supportive atmosphere.
La Parisienne, the 100% women’s race
La Parisienne is one of the Paris races reserved for women. The route looks like a postcard, starting at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and finishing on the Champ de Mars, after passing part of the Champs-Élysées and the Alexandre III Bridge.
The atmosphere is guaranteed, with around thirty music groups spread along the 7 km course. La Parisienne takes place in early September and brings together nearly 30,000 runners.
The Grande Classique Paris-Versailles
Paris-Versailles, also known as the Grande Classique, is one of the oldest races around Paris, first held in 1976. Finishing at the Palace of Versailles is pure magic. After a start near the Eiffel Tower, the route stays flat along the Seine. The big challenge is the Côte des Gardes, a 2 km climb that hits 9% in places.
This 16 km classic takes place in mid-September, with about 25,000 runners taking part.
Odysséa, the race against breast cancer
Odysséa is a race dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. More than a dozen events take place throughout the year across France, raising over one million euros for the cause. Odysséa Paris offers 5 km and 10 km distances in the heart of the Vincennes racecourse. The event averages 40,000 runners, a true community celebration. This race takes place in early October.
Crédit photo : Odysséa
The 20 km of Paris
The 20 km of Paris is one of the most popular races in the city. It’s loved for its big, inclusive energy, and also for its seriously competitive elite field. The winner often needs under an hour to cover the distance.
Western Paris takes center stage with the Bois de Boulogne and the Seine riverbanks. The start and finish are set right at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
The 20 km of Paris takes place in mid-October and brings together around 30,000 runners.
The Paris Ekiden, when running becomes a team sport
The Ekiden is a marathon relay for a team of six runners, split like this: 5, 10, 5, 10, 5, and 7.195 km, covering the official marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers.
This event brings together just over a thousand teams along the Seine riverbanks. The Paris Ekiden is the go-to race for companies and clubs that want to build team spirit and create strong bonds among colleagues or members.
Organized by the French Athletics Federation in early November, every relay handoff takes place right across from the Eiffel Tower. The finish is at the famous Stade Emile Anthoine, the track almost at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
Crédit photo : Photorunning
The Cross du Figaro
The Cross du Figaro was a world-famous cross-country race from 1961 to 2000, held in the Bois de Boulogne. The event returned in 2013 and now takes place at Parc de Saint-Cloud. This “cross-country” is closer to a nature run, with varied terrain from dirt paths and grass to paved roads. There’s something for everyone, with 5, 10, 15, and 20 km options.
The Cross du Figaro takes place on the last weekend of November, with part of the profits donated to the Téléthon.
The Issy-les-Moulineaux Christmas Corrida
The Christmas Corrida 10K attracts some very strong runners, and the win often goes in under 30 minutes. Then there’s the Santa costume race, where thousands of runners show up dressed head-to-toe in red, complete with beards.
Held in mid-December in Issy-les-Moulineaux, the Christmas Corrida is a great chance to chase a fast 10K time. Or just have fun over 5K or 10K in costume. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the Paris race calendar.
Around the same time, the Houilles corrida also offers an ultra-fast 10K.
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