Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris on April 12, 2026
Source: https://www.schneiderelectricparismarathon.com/en
The 2026 Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris took place on Sunday, April 12, 2026. As one of the world’s most iconic road races, it saw approximately 57,000 runners traverse a route featuring the Champs-Élysées, the Bois de Vincennes, and the Eiffel Tower.
Elite Results
The 2026 edition was marked by a new course record in the women’s category and a tightly contested finish in the men’s.
| Category | Winner | Nationality | Time |
| Elite Men | Yemaneberhan Crippa | Italy | 2h 05′ 18″ |
| Elite Women | Shure Demise | Ethiopia | 2h 18′ 34″ (CR) |
| Para-sport | Thibaut Daurat | France | 1h 32′ 10″ |
- Men’s Race: Crippa’s victory was a narrow one, edging out Ethiopia’s Bayelign Teshager by just 5 seconds.
- Women’s Race: Shure Demise delivered a dominant performance, setting a new course record for the Paris Marathon.
- French Performance: Emmanuel Roudolff Levisse was the top-performing Frenchman, finishing 6th overall with a time of 2h 05′ 58″.
Event Highlights
- The Route: The race began on Avenue des Champs-Élysées and concluded on Avenue Foch, passing landmarks such as the Opéra Garnier, Place de la Bastille, and the banks of the Seine.
- Participation: Over 57,000 participants started the race, supported by hundreds of thousands of spectators across the city.
- Charity: The “Paris Run For All” solidarity event associated with the marathon supported the association NIGHTLINE this year.
The Marathon de Paris (currently known as the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris) is one of the world’s most prestigious long-distance running events, trailing only the New York City Marathon in terms of finishers. Its history is a blend of early Olympic aspirations, a modern revival, and a transformation into a scenic “tour of Paris.”
1. The Origins (1896)
The very first Paris Marathon took place in 1896, just weeks after the first modern Olympic Games in Athens.
- The “Touristes”: Known as the “Touristes de Paris,” 191 runners started at the Porte Maillot.
- The Reward: To ensure the runners finished, the winner was promised a commemorative medal and a “wreath of laurels,” but more importantly, a 300-franc prize.
- The Winner: Len Hurst, a British runner, won the inaugural race in 2 hours, 31 minutes, and 30 seconds. Interestingly, the distance then was approximately 40km, not the modern standard.
2. The Modern Era (1976–Present)
After a long hiatus where several smaller, less organized marathons took place, the race as we know it today was revived in 1976. It was part of a global movement to democratize running, moving it from a purely elite sport to a mass-participation event.
- 1976: The race was held entirely within the Bois de Boulogne, with only 126 finishers.
- 1979: The route changed significantly, finally taking runners through the heart of the city streets, which caused a massive surge in popularity.
- The 42.195km Standard: The race eventually aligned with the international standard established at the 1908 London Olympics.
3. The Iconic Route
Unlike many city marathons that prioritize flat, boring industrial roads for speed, Paris designed its course as a “monument tour.”
| Landmark | Significance in the Race |
| Champs-Élysées | The grand start line, looking toward the Arc de Triomphe; provides one of the most wide and prestigious starts in world marathoning. |
| Place de la Bastille | A major turning point heading toward the East, marking the transition from the historic center to the greener outskirts. |
| Bois de Vincennes | The massive park on the eastern edge (roughly the 10km–20km mark); offers a flatter, shaded section that makes up a significant portion of the first half. |
| Notre-Dame | Viewed as runners return to the city center along the Seine, signaling the halfway point and the beginning of the “river run.” |
| Eiffel Tower | The iconic view at the 30km mark, often where runners hit “the wall”; serves as a vital psychological landmark for the final push. |
| Bois de Boulogne | The final grueling stretch before the finish; the dense park setting can be mentally challenging before the grand finale at Avenue Foch. |
4. Key Milestones and Records
- Sponsorship: Schneider Electric became the title sponsor in 2013, helping the race expand its digital tracking and sustainability initiatives.
- Course Records: * Men: Elisha Rotich (Kenya) set the record in 2021 with a time of 2:04:21.
- Women: Shure Demise (Ethiopia) broke the record in 2026 with a time of 2:18:34.
- The “No-Show” 2020: Like many global events, the race was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returning in 2021 with a shift from its traditional April slot to October.
5. Evolution of Participation
The race has grown from a handful of enthusiasts to a massive logistical feat:
- The 1970s: Hundreds of runners.
- The 2000s: Growth to 30,000+ participants.
- Today: The event regularly caps at 50,000 to 60,000 runners, with nearly 150 nationalities represented.
The “Big Ones” in the marathon world generally refer to the Abbott World Marathon Majors—an elite series of seven races—plus a few “honorary majors” like Paris and Valencia that rival them in size or speed.
As of 2025/2026, the series has officially expanded from six to seven races with the addition of Sydney.
1. The Abbott World Marathon Majors
These are the most prestigious and difficult to enter (usually requiring a fast qualifying time or a lottery win).
2. The “Huge” Non-Majors
While not part of the “Majors” series (yet), these races often have more finishers than some of the official ones.
- Paris Marathon: Regularly sees over 50,000 finishers. It is often considered the “unofficial 8th major” due to its size and beauty.
- Valencia Marathon (Spain): Currently the “hot” race for elites. It is incredibly flat and has become the place to go if you want to set a personal best (PB).
- Mexico City Marathon: Famous for its massive participation and high altitude, making it one of the toughest big-city races.
3. The “Bucket List” Specials
If you aren’t chasing a “Six Star Medal” (the award for finishing the original Majors), these are the big ones for the experience:
- The Authentic (Athens, Greece): The original route from the town of Marathon to Athens. It’s hilly and brutal, but you finish in the ancient marble Panathenaic Stadium.
- Marine Corps Marathon (Washington D.C.): Known as “The People’s Marathon” because it doesn’t offer prize money to pros, focusing entirely on the experience for everyday runners.
- Comrades Marathon (South Africa): Technically an Ultramarathon (approx. 89km), but in the running world, it is considered one of the “Big Ones” that every serious long-distance runner dreams of completing.
How to Get In?
Most of these “Big Ones” operate on a Lottery System because demand is so high.
- London 2026 recently broke records with over 840,000 applications for roughly 50,000 spots.
- Berlin and Tokyo typically have a 10% chance of success in the lottery.
The “Big Six” officially became the Big Seven in 2025, with the addition of the Sydney Marathon to the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
Here is the breakdown of the current seven Majors for the 2026 season:
The Abbott World Marathon Majors (2026 Schedule)
| Marathon | Location | 2026 Date | Defining Characteristic |
| Tokyo Marathon | Japan | March 1 | Known for its cultural spectacle and incredibly flat, high-speed course. |
| Boston Marathon | USA | April 20 | The oldest annual marathon; famous for the “Heartbreak Hill” and strict qualifying standards. |
| London Marathon | UK | April 26 | The world leader in charity fundraising with iconic finishes at The Mall. |
| Sydney Marathon | Australia | August 30 | The newest Major; finishes at the Sydney Opera House with a stunning harbor backdrop. |
| Berlin Marathon | Germany | Sept 27 | The “World Record Course.” Historically the fastest track due to its lack of turns and elevation. |
| Chicago Marathon | USA | Oct 11 | A flat, fast loop through 29 diverse neighborhoods with massive crowd support. |
| New York City | USA | Nov 1 | The world’s largest marathon, taking runners through all five boroughs and finishing in Central Park. |
The Road to “Nine Stars”
With Sydney’s inclusion, the marathon world is currently transitioning. While the Six Star Medal (for the original six) remains a legendary achievement, the organization has announced a future Nine Star Medal.
Currently, two more cities are in the “candidacy” stage to potentially join the ranks by 2027:
- Cape Town Marathon (South Africa)
- Shanghai Marathon (China)
