Paris 2024: route, number of bibs, connected race... The “Marathon for all” is taking shape

Just 192 more days to wait for the 40,048 running enthusiasts who, on August 10, 2024, will set off on the “Marathon for All”. A unique event in the history of the Games: for the first time, the general public will be able to live the Olympic experience from the inside, taking the same route as the athletes.

The race will start at 9 p.m., between the men's marathon run in the morning and the women's marathon the next day which closes the fortnight. “The initiative is excellent,” rejoices Alistair Brownee, double Olympic triathlon champion and ambassador of the race.

“By moving the public from the role of spectator to the role of actor, this Marathon for All best embodies our promise to open the Games wide,” Tony Estanguet, president of Paris 2024, welcomed this Wednesday, at the Orange headquarters. Sponsor of the event, the telecoms operator is now the only one able to distribute the remaining 5,000 tickets, via competitions, games and activities. “You have to compete like everyone else, no privileges!” warns Christel Heydemann, Managing Director of Orange.

Also read: “There was no way I wouldn’t win”: Tony Estanguet, a life of challenges

Among the 35,000 bibs already allocated over the last five years, the organizers boast perfect parity, with 50% women and 50% men. The runners come from 110 countries, the youngest being 16 years old and the oldest 85 years old. In total, more than 400,000 people tried their luck through the various challenges, draws and other competitions. “There will inevitably be some disappointed people, but for us, there are only winners,” reassures Tony Estanguet.

In order to be open to as many people as possible, the race welcomes people with disabilities and is available in a second race of 10 kilometers only, within Paris itself. Starting from the Hôtel de Ville and as far as the Invalides, passing by the Opera, the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles, the route of the “great” race crosses no less than nine communes, a “spectacular setting, with iconic monuments” in the words of the canoe-kayak champion.

Also read: A marathon open to all on the same day and on the same route as the stars

The distance is regulatory, 42.195 kilometers, but the runners will have to face 436 meters of positive altitude difference, including the terrible slope of the Pavé des Gardes de Chaville, in Hauts-de-Seine. “Not easy for those used to marathons, and in particular the Paris marathon,” underlines Emmanuel Grégoire, first deputy mayor of Paris.

The route pays homage to a major event of the French Revolution, the women's march of October 5, 1789, when a few thousand women who left Paris joined Versailles to bring back the king and his family, while famine loomed over the capital. Aurélie Merle, Director of Sports for Paris 2024, presented on Wednesday the various activities which will mark the 42.195 kilometers, with the aim of “offering a slightly crazy experience in terms of sounds and lights”.

After a “dazzling start” marked by lighting effects, the athletes will be able to enjoy, at kilometer no. 20, a screen with words of encouragement from the Olympic athletes. “It will help you get through the first climb,” explains Aurélie Merle. At kilometer no. 28, at the Chaville climb, it will be an “energy boost tunnel”. And at kilometer no. 38, the runners will reach an encouragement zone where they can meet their loved ones.

Another big announcement this Wednesday, the establishment of the “Marathon for all connected”. On the day of the event, hundreds of thousands of people all over the world will be able to participate virtually in the race, alone or in groups. Four videos were filmed on the marathon course: one focused on the monuments of Paris, another with anecdotes about the Olympic Games, a third with the last fifteen kilometers of the marathon, and a last with the course in its entirety.

These videos will be accessible on the Kinomap application. “The objective is to beat the world record for the largest connected race,” confides Romain Lachens, director of the Paris 2024 Engagement. “The event will open up the Games even wider.” The Fitness Park sports halls, partners of the “Connected Marathon for All”, will be exceptionally open on August 10 and 11 to allow participants to use the treadmills.

Finally, Tony Estanguet specified that the more than 40,000 runners of the “Marathon for All” will obtain a personalized time, but that no ranking will be established. No podium either like during the two Olympic marathons. But a medal, perhaps, for all the “finishers”.

Among them, several personalities from the world of sport took part, including Amélie Mauresmo, Martin Fourcade, Camille Lacourt, the speed skater Tifany Huot-Marchand and the double Olympic biathlon champion Alistair Brownlee. “These great champions will be there to cheer you on! proclaims Aurélie Merle. Some will even give their name to an SAS.”