For all participants, it's best to prepare your morning well. This Sunday, the Paris Half Marathon 2026 will start at 8 AM in waves according to the designated starting clusters. Runners need to arrive at least 45 minutes before their scheduled time, check their starting cluster indicated on their bib, and access the cluster from the back where a check will be conducted.
Bib collection will take place at the Grande Halle de la Villette on Friday, March 6, from 10 AM to 8 PM and on Saturday, March 7, from 10 AM to 7 PM. No bibs will be distributed on Sunday morning and a ID along with the registration confirmation will be required.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
A 21.1 km journey through the heart of eastern Paris
The course starts on the Saint-Germain Boulevard on the left bank, then crosses the Seine to head into eastern Paris. Runners will follow the Austerlitz quay, take Gravelle Avenue, and pass through the lovely Vincennes Forest. The return will be via Daumesnil Avenue and the Bercy quay before reaching the finish line at Bastille Square.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
With a route that travels through several very busy neighborhoods and main thoroughfares of the capital, these streets will be closed from dawn and traffic in eastern Paris will be significantly slowed down. Drivers should brace themselves for detours, closed roads, and major slowdowns around Avenue Daumesnil and the riverbanks. The parking lots near the route will also be difficult to access, and some gas stations might be less accessible.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Transport: What’s Changing for You
For those using public transportation, some metro and RER lines will be especially crowded. The stations Bastille (lines 1, 5, and 8), Gare de Lyon (lines 1 and 14, RER A and D), and Nation (lines 1, 2, 6, and RER A) will be particularly busy in the early morning.
The stations near the Bois de Vincennes such as Château de Vincennes (line 1) or Daumesnil (lines 6 and 8) may also experience some temporary interruptions. Cyclists and pedestrians will need to expect closed passages along the route, especially on the quai de Bercy and avenue Daumesnil.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
An Ideal Temperature for Sunday Morning
On the weather side, the sky should be more than friendly with around 13°C and a few sunny spells in the morning, creating perfect weather conditions for runners. Meanwhile, passersby and tourists will need to allow a bit more time for their travels and avoid the areas around Bastille, Vincennes Woods, and Austerlitz Quay.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
It's worth noting that in the afternoon, a demonstration for International Women's Rights Day will start from Stalingrad Square at 2 PM, causing some disruptions in the capital.