Paris Marathon
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Elevation Gain
50m
Elevation Range
39m
Avg Temperature
55°F / 13°C
Course Profile
flat
Course Map & Elevation
Course Overview
A predominantly flat loop course with 50m of total elevation gain, starting and finishing near the Arc de Triomphe. The course descends from the Champs-Elysees to the Seine, loops through two large parks (Vincennes and Boulogne), and finishes with an uphill climb up Avenue Foch. The one thing that makes Paris unique is the cruel finish — a 20m climb up Avenue Foch to the Arc de Triomphe when you are at your most depleted, making it one of the few major marathons that ends uphill.
Key Segments
Champs-Elysees to Bastille
Terrain: Steady descent from 56m to 35m through the Champs-Elysees, Place de la Concorde, Rue de Rivoli past the Louvre, to Place de la Bastille
Challenge: 50,000 runners on the world's most famous avenue create dangerous adrenaline. The downhill tempts 15-20 sec/km too fast.
Tactic: Run the first 5km at or slightly slower than goal pace. Let the descent carry you gently. Do not bank time — you will pay for it on Avenue Foch at km 40.
Bois de Vincennes Loop
Terrain: Rolling park terrain with gentle climbs reaching the course high point of ~50m near km 17. Tree-lined paths with limited crowd support.
Challenge: The loneliest stretch of the course. Crowd support vanishes in the park. The rolling terrain (km 15-17) can feel demoralising without spectators.
Tactic: Accept the solitude and use it. Settle into goal pace rhythm. Do not chase splits on the rollers — run by effort. Take gel at km 18-20 before exiting the park.
Seine Riverside to Bois de Boulogne
Terrain: Flat along the Seine (km 23-30), gentle 15-20m climb up Boulevard Saint-Germain (km 30-33), then into the Bois de Boulogne with gentle rolling terrain
Challenge: The Seine section is fast and scenic but the Saint-Germain climb at km 30-33 arrives exactly at glycogen depletion onset. The Bois de Boulogne is the second quiet park section.
Tactic: The Seine is where the race truly begins — use the flat terrain and returning crowd support to build momentum. Take final gel by km 30 before the Saint-Germain climb. In the Bois de Boulogne, break into 1km segments.
Avenue Foch Finish
Terrain: Rolling Bois de Boulogne exit, then the brutal 20m climb up Avenue Foch over the final 2km to the finish near the Arc de Triomphe
Challenge: The 20m uphill finish up Avenue Foch is the hardest part of the Paris course, arriving at maximum fatigue. This is where the race is won or lost.
Tactic: Save something for Avenue Foch. Shorten stride, increase cadence, lean forward, keep eyes up. The Avenue Foch crowd is massive — let them pull you uphill to the Arc de Triomphe.
Race-Specific Training
- •Include tempo runs that finish with an uphill effort (2-3km of sustained climbing) to specifically prepare for the Avenue Foch finish — this is non-negotiable for Paris
- •Practice long runs on rolling park terrain to simulate the Bois de Vincennes and Boulogne sections where crowd support disappears
- •Carry your own gels in training and practice your exact fueling plan — French aid stations provide fewer gels than American or British races
Conditions & Environment
Altitude
Start at 56m near Arc de Triomphe, drops to Seine level (~33m), finish at 56m. No altitude concerns.
Weather
April. Typical race-morning temps 8-16C (46-61F). Occasional warm years push to 20C+ (68F+). April weather in Paris is highly unpredictable — prepare for sun, rain, or wind.
Sun & Wind
Seine riverside sections can have headwinds or tailwinds depending on the year — check the forecast. Bois de Vincennes and Boulogne provide tree shade. Open sections in the second half can have strong sun exposure.
What to Wear
Dress for 10C warmer than start-line temperature. Disposable layer for the start corrals is essential. Singlet and shorts for most conditions. Arm sleeves useful for the cooler start.
Pacing Strategy
| Segment | Pace | Note |
|---|---|---|
| km 0-7 | Goal pace or 5 sec/km slower | Champs-Elysees descent. Do not bank time. The downhill is not free. |
| km 7-22 | Goal pace (effort-based on rollers) | Bois de Vincennes loop. Accept the solitude. Run by effort through the rolling terrain. |
| km 22-35 | Goal pace | Seine flat, Saint-Germain climb, Bois de Boulogne. Take final gel by km 30. |
| km 35-42.195 | Goal pace (accept slower on Avenue Foch climb) | Save everything for the uphill finish. Avenue Foch is where Paris veterans separate from first-timers. |
Race Day Tip
Paris aid stations provide water, sports drink, orange slices, banana, and sugar cubes — but fewer gels than you might expect. Carry your own gels. Also, the start corrals on the Champs-Elysees are enormous (50,000+ runners) and the first 2km will be congested regardless of your corral position. Accept a slow first km and do not weave — you will naturally spread out by km 3.
Race details subject to change. Verify with the official race website.
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