The Paris Marathon 2026 is once again set to be one of the most coveted goals of the season. Starting on the iconic Champs-Élysées and finishing near the Arc de Triomphe, its 42.195 km through the heart of the city make each edition a unique blend of performance, travel and emotion.
This up-to-date guide gives you everything you need if you are planning to travel to France to run it: the official date, bib options, a kilometre-by-kilometre course overview, expected weather, pacing strategy, common mistakes and practical tips for travel and training.
Paris Marathon 2026: date, updates and how to secure a bib
The organisers of the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris have already confirmed the date: the race will be held on 12 April 2026. The event keeps its World Athletics Label Road Race status, ensuring a certified course, international elite fields and high organisational standards.
To secure your Paris Marathon 2026 bib, you have several options:
- Standard individual registration: done through the official marathon website. The cheapest bib tiers usually sell out quickly, especially for popular waves.
- Charity entries: you register while supporting a charity. Fees are slightly higher and you commit to raising a minimum amount, but it is a powerful extra source of motivation.
- Official travel agency packages: they include bib plus accommodation (and sometimes flights or transfers). A very convenient option if you travel in a group or prefer an all-in-one solution.
Demand is huge and, as with London or Berlin, it is increasingly common to see many runners left out. If you know you want to run the Paris Marathon 2026, lock in your bib early and align the date with your training plan and holiday calendar.
You can find full registration details and updated rules on the official website: Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris.
Paris Marathon course: 42.195 km through the city
The Paris Marathon 2026 course is one of the most scenic in the world. It starts on the Champs-Élysées, drops towards Place de la Concorde and runs past some of the most famous areas of the French capital before finishing on Avenue Foch, next to the Arc de Triomphe.
- Km 0–5: Champs-Élysées – Concorde – Rue de Rivoli
The downhill start makes it very tempting to push. It is easy to go too fast, so keep your pace under control and avoid zigzagging through the crowds. - Km 5–15: Bastille and Bois de Vincennes
After passing Place de la Bastille, the course heads into the Bois de Vincennes, a greener area with some gentle undulations. This is the right place to settle into your marathon pace and save energy. - Km 15–25: back towards the city centre and first contact with the Seine
You run back towards central Paris along wide avenues. From around km 20 you’ll feel the marathon starting to “get serious”, but there is still a long way to go, so stay patient. - Km 25–35: riverbanks, tunnels and monuments
Probably the most spectacular segment. You run alongside the Seine, with views of Notre Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. Several tunnels create changes in light, temperature and GPS accuracy. Ignore the watch and run by feel here. - Km 35–42.195: Bois de Boulogne and Avenue Foch finish
You enter the Bois de Boulogne, where the crowd thins out but the surroundings are pleasant. This is where you need to manage your resources wisely and lean on your mental strategy for the final push. The last stretch towards Avenue Foch is perfect for a strong finish.
While the course is not as flat as Valencia or Berlin, it is still fast if you arrive well-prepared and respect the natural changes of pace created by tunnels, turns and gentle climbs.
Weather in Paris in April: what race-day conditions to expect
The race takes place in spring, which usually means cool temperatures ideal for marathon running, but also a certain degree of weather uncertainty. You can typically expect:
- Start-line temperatures between 7 and 10 °C.
- Finish-line temperatures around 12–16 °C.
- A moderate chance of light rain or overcast skies.
- Variable winds along exposed sections by the Seine and in the parks.
Quick tips for Paris Marathon 2026 race-day weather:
- Use a three-layer system: technical T-shirt, a light long-sleeve or vest, and a disposable top to keep you warm while waiting in the start corral.
- Protect your extremities with thin gloves and a hat or visor, especially if you tend to feel cold.
- If rain is forecast, prioritise technical socks and anti-chafing cream.
- Don’t skip the warm-up: a few minutes of easy jogging and mobility exercises before entering the corral will help you start smoother.
Preparing for the Paris Marathon: 16 to 12 weeks to get ready
Most sports cardiologists recommend allowing at least 12–16 weeks to prepare for a marathon and getting a medical check-up if this is your first 42K or if you are chasing a big personal best. Use the time between now and April to build a solid aerobic base.
A typical Paris Marathon 2026 training structure could look like this:
- Phase 1 – Aerobic base (4–6 weeks)
3–4 easy runs per week (45–70 minutes) plus one strength session in the gym or with bodyweight. The goal is to improve your aerobic capacity without excessive fatigue. - Phase 2 – Marathon specific (6–8 weeks)
Introduce:- Long runs (up to 24–30 km) every one or two weeks.
- Marathon-pace workouts (blocks of 6–12 km at goal pace).
- Some long intervals (e.g. 3×4 km) to build pace endurance.
- Phase 3 – Taper (2–3 weeks)
Reduce total volume by 30–50 %, keeping short quality touches. The aim is to reach the start line with fresh legs and a sharp mind.
If you are looking for detailed plans, you can check:
- The official Paris Marathon training plans (12 and 16 weeks) in the training section of the event.
- Tailored programmes from platforms such as Runnea or RunMotion Coach, which adapt to your level and time goal.
Race strategy for Paris Marathon 2026
Paris is not a race to improvise. With several tunnels, gentle climbs and extremely loud sections where the crowd will push you to speed up, the key is to start with a clear strategy:
- Start slower than you think: the first 5 km downhill are deceptive. Aim to reach the 5K marker 15–30 seconds slower than your average goal pace.
- Break the marathon into blocks:
- 0–15 km: stay relaxed and under control.
- 15–30 km: settle into a steady pace, using aid stations wisely.
- 30–42 km: manage the “wall”, lean on your mental plan and, if you still feel strong, launch your final push inside the Bois de Boulogne.
- Plan your fuelling: decide beforehand where you’ll take water, sports drink and gels. Nothing new on race day.
- Ignore erratic GPS inside tunnels: pace readouts will jump. Run by effort and use the official kilometre signs as your reference.
If you need extra motivation, look at the 2025 edition, where Benard Biwott (2:05:25) and Bedatu Hirpa (2:20:45) won in a race with more than 50,000 runners on the streets of Paris. The course is clearly capable of supporting big performances.
Logistics for international runners: travel, hotel and expo
One of the advantages of the Paris Marathon 2026 is how easy it is to get there and move around the city:
- Transport: multiple direct flights from major European cities and excellent train connections from the airports to central Paris.
- Accommodation: the most practical option is to stay near a metro station with good links to both the start and finish (for example, the Étoile, Opéra or Bastille areas).
- Expo and bib pick-up: hosted at the Run Experience, where you’ll collect your bib and enjoy a large expo with brands, talks and product testing.
Important tip: avoid walking too much the day before the race. Paris is perfect for sightseeing, but try to save the full tourist experience (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre, etc.) for after you cross the finish line.
Common mistakes at the Paris Marathon (and how to avoid them)
Some of the most common mistakes runners make in Paris are easy to avoid if you are aware of them:
- Choosing the wrong start corral: too far back and you’ll spend kilometres overtaking; too far ahead and you’ll blow up early. Respect the predicted time you entered during registration.
- Under-preparing for downhills and steady pacing: the course is not mountainous, but those early downhills and long flat stretches require specific preparation. Include controlled downhill running and long blocks at marathon pace in your build-up.
- Not testing your nutrition strategy: breakfast, gels and drink mix should all be tested in long runs. Race day is for execution, not experimentation.
- Skipping strength work: consistent leg and core strength training (twice a week) will help you hold form in the final kilometres and reduce injury risk.
- Letting emotions dictate the pace: the Paris crowd is loud and inspiring. Use that energy, but don’t let it push you 10–15 seconds per kilometre faster than planned in the first half.
Quick checklist for your Paris Marathon 2026
- 6–7 months out: pick your goal (finish strong, PB, sub-4, etc.), review your calendar and secure bib and accommodation.
- 16–12 weeks out: start your marathon-specific plan, combining easy runs, strength training and long runs.
- 4 weeks out: test race-day gear, nutrition and target pace in a long run.
- Race week: cut volume, prioritise sleep and double-check travel and bib details.
- Race day: familiar breakfast, arrive early at the corral, control the first kilometres and, above all, enjoy every step.
Crossing the finish line of the Paris Marathon 2026 is much more than a line on your race CV: it is a memory you’ll carry for life. Start building that story today.