Paris Marathon 2026: Date, start time, route map, prize money, how to watch, Past champions

The Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris 2026 is a World Athletics Gold Label road race, one of the world's largest marathons with over 55,000–56,000 participants expected. It's scheduled for Sunday, April 12, 2026, in the heart of Paris, France, offering a scenic, mostly flat 42.195 km loop past iconic landmarks.

When is Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris 2026?

Sunday, April 12, 2026.

Staggered wave starts begin around 8:00 a.m. local time (CET), with exact personal start times assigned based on predicted finish times (typically from ~8:15 a.m. to ~10:50 a.m. or later; wheelchair/elite often earlier ~7:55–8:00 a.m.). Time limit is ~6 hours from the last starter.

Where is Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris 2026?

Paris, France.

Start Line: Champs-Élysées, near the Arc de Triomphe (top of the avenue).

Finish Line: Avenue Foch (near the Arc de Triomphe area, with a sharp right turn onto the avenue for the final stretch).

What time does start paris marathon 2026?

Wheelchair athletes: 07:55 AM

Elite runners and preferred corral: 08:00 AM

General participation waves: 08:15 AM – 11:27 AM

released every few minutes based on predicted finish times.

How to watch Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris 2026?

On-site: Prime spectator spots include Place de la Concorde (early km), the Marais district (km 5–7), along the Seine, near the Eiffel Tower (km ~30 at Trocadéro Gardens), and the finish on Avenue Foch for crowd energy and elite arrivals.

TV/Streaming: Live broadcast typically on France Télévisions (France 3 in France); international via Eurosport, Olympic Channel, or regional sports networks.

Online: Real-time tracking and highlights via the official Marathon de Paris app (for following runners);

Marathon de Paris 2026 Route

A single-loop, scenic course through central Paris: Starts on the Champs-Élysées, heads to Place de la Concorde, down Rue de Rivoli past the Tuileries Garden and Louvre.

Passes landmarks like Palais Garnier, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Place de la Bastille.

Includes green stretches through Bois de Vincennes (east) and Bois de Boulogne (west).

Features views of the Eiffel Tower (around km 30) and along the Seine River.

Ends with a final push to Avenue Foch.

The route is mostly flat/fast with some gradual changes; water/aid stations every ~5 km.

Marathon de Paris 2026 Map

Prize Money Marathon de Paris 2026?

As a top-tier Gold Label event, the prize purse is substantial (~€500,000 total in recent years).

1st Place (Men & Women): ~€50,000 each (often with time bonuses).

2nd Place: ~€30,000–€50,000 (performance-dependent).

3rd Place: ~€20,000.

Additional prizes for top 10–15 finishers (men/women), provided they meet qualifying times.

For registrations (if still open via timeto.com), expo details (bib pickup at Porte de Versailles ~April 9–11), rules, or updates,

Past Winners Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris (Men's and Women's Elite Champions)

The Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris (formerly Paris Marathon) has a rich history since 1976, dominated in recent years by East African runners (especially from Kenya and Ethiopia). Here are the most recent elite winners (course records:

2025 (April 13):

Men: Benard Biwott (KEN) – 2:05:25 (personal best)

Women: Bedatu Hirpa (ETH) – 2:20:45

2024 (April 7):

Men: Mulugeta Uma (ETH) – 2:05:33

Women: Mestawot Fikir (ETH) – 2:20:45

2023 (April 2):

Men: Gizealew Ayana (ETH) – 2:07:15

Women: Helah Kiprop (KEN) – time not in top snippets (strong comeback win)

2022 (April 3):

Men: Chalu Deso (ETH) – 2:05:07

Women: Judith Jeptum Korir (KEN) – 2:19:48 (course record)

2021:

Men: Elisha Rotich (KEN) – 2:04:21 (course record)

Women: (not detailed in recent sources; focus on men's record year)

The last French men's winner was Benoît Zwierzchiewski (2002),

and women's Marie Lelut (1986).

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