Paris Half Marathon 2026: The Complete Guide to Running the HOKA Semi de Paris

48,000 Runners, One City, Zero Excuses

The HOKA Semi de Paris is the largest half marathon in the world. Nearly 50,000 runners line up every March to race 21.1km through the streets of eastern Paris, passing centuries-old landmarks, looping through the Bois de Vincennes, and finishing at one of the most famous squares in France. The 2026 edition takes place on Sunday, March 8, and if you have secured a bib, you are in for one of the best race day experiences in European running.

This guide covers everything you need to know to have a great race. Whether this is your first half marathon or you are chasing a personal best on the flat, fast Parisian course, here is exactly what to expect and how to prepare.

Key Race Details at a Glance

Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026

Start time: 8:00 AM (wave starts)

Distance: 21.0975km (half marathon)

Start: Boulevard Saint-Germain, near Pont de Sully

Finish: Place de la Bastille

Time limit: 2 hours 50 minutes

Elevation gain: 66 metres total (very flat)

Expected participants: 48,000+

Expected temperature: 5 to 10 degrees Celsius

Official name: HOKA Semi de Paris

Organiser: Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.)

The Route: What You Will Run

The Paris Half Marathon is a single-loop course that starts on Boulevard Saint-Germain near the Pont de Sully bridge and finishes at the iconic Place de la Bastille. The course is predominantly flat with only 66 metres of total elevation gain, making it one of the fastest half marathon courses in Europe. Here is how it breaks down.

Kilometres 1 to 5: Through the City Centre

The race begins heading east through the Latin Quarter before turning onto Rue de Rivoli, one of the most recognisable streets in Paris. You will pass the Hotel de Ville (Paris City Hall) with its ornate Renaissance facade on your right. The road is wide and the crowd energy is high in these opening kilometres, so the biggest challenge is not going out too fast. Keep your pace honest here because you have a long stretch through the park coming up.

The course then follows the Seine's Right Bank heading southeast, passing the Bibliotheque Francois-Mitterrand, the striking modern national library with its four glass tower buildings shaped like open books.

Kilometres 5 to 15: Bois de Vincennes

This is the longest and most distinctive section of the course. You will spend roughly 10 kilometres running through the Bois de Vincennes, Paris's largest public park at over 900 hectares. The tree-lined paths provide a welcome change from the urban streets, and if the early March weather cooperates, it can be a genuinely beautiful stretch of running.

Inside the park you will pass near the Chateau de Vincennes, a medieval fortress that served as a royal residence for centuries. The keep is the tallest medieval fortified structure in Europe, and while you will not be stopping for a tour mid-race, it is worth knowing what that impressive stone structure is as you run past.

The park section is where the race can feel quieter. Crowd support thins out compared to the city streets, and the kilometres can feel longer on the wide park paths. This is the section where disciplined pacing matters most. If you have a target time, stick to your plan through the Bois de Vincennes and save your energy for the final push back into the city.

Kilometres 15 to 21: Back Along the Seine to the Finish

Exiting the park, the course returns along the Seine's Left Bank through the 13th arrondissement. You will cross the Tolbiac Bridge and follow the Quai de la Rapee back toward central Paris. The crowd support builds significantly in these final kilometres as spectators line the route to cheer runners home.

The last two kilometres feel special. You are running back into the heart of Paris with the finish line at Place de la Bastille ahead of you. The July Column, the 47-metre bronze column topped with a golden statue of Liberty, marks the centre of the square and serves as your visual target for the final push.

The finish line atmosphere at Bastille is electric. Thousands of spectators pack the square, music plays from the event stage, and crossing that line with the column towering above you is a moment that stays with you.

Race Day Logistics

Getting to the Start

The start area is on Boulevard Saint-Germain near the Pont de Sully bridge (5th arrondissement). The nearest metro stations are Sully-Morland (Line 7) and Jussieu (Lines 7 and 10). Arrive early because with 48,000 runners, the corrals fill up and you will want time to drop your bag and warm up without rushing.

If you are staying near the Gare de Lyon area, the start is approximately a 20-minute walk, which doubles as a good warm-up. Plan to be in your starting corral at least 30 minutes before your wave time.

Wave Starts

The race uses wave starts to manage the huge field. Your starting wave is assigned based on the estimated finish time you provided during registration. Your wave assignment and start time will be on your bib. Faster runners start in earlier waves, which helps prevent congestion on the course.

Bag Drop

Secure bag check is available near the start area. Drop your bag before heading to your corral. Bags are transported to the finish at Place de la Bastille for collection after you complete the race. Use the bag provided in your race pack or a clear bag to speed up the drop-off process.

Water and Nutrition on Course

Water stations appear roughly every 5 kilometres along the route. Additional refreshment points provide energy gels and bananas. If you have specific nutrition preferences or a fuelling strategy that requires gels at particular times, carry your own. Do not rely entirely on the on-course provision, especially if you have not tested the specific gels they offer.

Weather

Early March in Paris means temperatures typically between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius at race start, rising slightly as the morning progresses. The conditions are generally ideal for racing, cool enough to keep you from overheating but not so cold that it becomes uncomfortable once you are moving.

Rain is possible. Paris in early March can go either way, so check the forecast in the days leading up to the race and pack a cheap throwaway layer for the start line that you can discard before your wave sets off. Arm sleeves or a light long-sleeve top are good options if the temperature is at the lower end.

Expo and Bib Collection

Where and When

The race expo and bib collection take place at the Grande Halle de La Villette, 211 Avenue Jean Jaures, 75019 Paris. This is a large, historic iron-and-glass exhibition hall in the 19th arrondissement, easily reached via metro (Porte de Pantin station, Line 5).

Collection hours:

Friday, March 6: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Saturday, March 7: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

There is no bib collection on race day Sunday morning. This is non-negotiable. If you do not collect your bib on Friday or Saturday, you cannot run.

What to Bring

You will need your QR code (sent by email the week of the race), a valid photo ID, and your PPS (Health Prevention Course) certificate or FFA licence if it has not already been uploaded and validated on your online account. Double-check all of this before you travel to Paris. The last thing you want is to be turned away at the expo because of missing paperwork.

Can Someone Else Collect Your Bib?

Yes. A friend or family member can collect your bib on your behalf. They will need a copy of your ID, your printed or digital QR code, and your PPS or licence documents if not already validated online. This is useful if you are arriving in Paris on Saturday evening and cannot make it to the expo yourself.

Mail Delivery Option

For 2026, you can opt to have your bib, race t-shirt, and runner's bag posted to you in advance. This must be arranged before February 15, and your PPS or FFA licence must be validated online by the same date. Shipping costs approximately 12.90 euros within France and 16.90 euros internationally. This is a great option if you want to avoid the expo entirely and go straight to the start line on race morning.

The 1st Kilometre Event

On Saturday, March 7, the expo also hosts the "1st Kilometre" event from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This is a free, untimed, no-pressure fun run around the Grande Halle de La Villette. It is open to anyone aged 5 and up, making it a nice activity for family and supporters who have come along for the weekend. Participants are entered into a prize draw for bibs to future events and a pair of HOKA running shoes.

Health Prevention Course (PPS)

French law no longer requires a medical certificate for participation. Instead, runners must complete the Health Prevention Course (Parcours de Prevention Sante, or PPS). This is a mandatory online health questionnaire that assesses risk factors and provides safety precautions. It costs 5 euros and is valid for one year.

Complete this well before race week. You will receive a reference number to enter during registration that confirms your eligibility. If you have an FFA (Federation Francaise d'Athletisme) licence, that also satisfies the requirement.

Travel and Accommodation

Getting to Paris

Paris is served by three major airports. Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the main international hub, connected to central Paris by the RER B train (approximately 35 minutes to Chatelet-Les Halles). Orly (ORY) is closer to the city centre and connected by the OrlyVal shuttle to the RER B, or the new Metro Line 14 extension. Beauvais (BVA) is a budget airline airport about 90 minutes from central Paris by shuttle bus.

From the UK, the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord takes approximately 2 hours 20 minutes and arrives in central Paris. This is often the most convenient option for UK-based runners, avoiding airport hassle entirely.

Where to Stay

For maximum race day convenience, stay in the 11th or 12th arrondissements near the start and finish at Bastille. Hotels near Gare de Lyon are within a 20-minute walk of the start line and close to the finish. The Marais (4th arrondissement) and Latin Quarter (5th) are slightly further but well connected by metro and offer better restaurant and sightseeing options for post-race exploring.

Expect to pay 120 to 200 euros per night for mid-range hotels during race weekend. Book early because 48,000 runners plus their supporters means accommodation fills up quickly.

Getting Around

The Paris Metro is your best friend for race weekend. Key stations for the race include Bastille (Lines 1, 5, 8), Sully-Morland (Line 7), and Porte de Pantin (Line 5) for the expo. A carnet of 10 single tickets or a Navigo Easy card loaded with journeys is the most practical option. Avoid taxis on race morning as road closures will make driving impractical near the start area.

Training Tips for the Paris Half Marathon

Use the Flat Course to Your Advantage

With only 66 metres of elevation gain across the entire 21.1km, this is a course built for personal bests. If you have been training on hillier terrain at home, you will likely find the flat Parisian roads faster than expected. Practice running at your target pace on flat routes in training so you know exactly what it feels like and can avoid the temptation to go out too fast.

Simulate the Park Section

The 10km stretch through the Bois de Vincennes is where many runners lose focus. The crowd support drops, the scenery becomes repetitive compared to the city streets, and the wide paths can make you feel isolated in a field of thousands. Practice longer tempo runs or race-pace efforts in parks to get comfortable with this kind of environment.

Prepare for the Cold Start

At 5 to 10 degrees Celsius, you will be cold standing in the corral waiting to start. Wear a cheap charity shop layer you can discard once you warm up, or bring a bin bag with arm holes cut out as a disposable windbreaker. Within the first two kilometres you will want to be in your racing kit, so plan your layers accordingly.

Nail Your Fuelling

For a half marathon, most runners will benefit from one or two gels during the race, typically around kilometres 8 and 15. Test your fuelling strategy in training beforehand. The on-course provision includes water every 5km and gels at select stations, but carrying your own ensures you get exactly what your body is used to.

Train for a Fast Finish

The final 6 kilometres from the Bois de Vincennes back to Bastille are where the race is won or lost. The crowd energy builds and the adrenaline of running through Paris streets toward the finish can carry you, but only if you have saved enough energy through disciplined pacing in the park section. Include negative split long runs in your training, running the second half faster than the first, to practice finishing strong.

Race Day Checklist

Here is what to have ready the night before:

Essential: Race bib (already collected), timing chip (attached to bib), running shoes, race kit, GPS watch or phone for pacing

Nutrition: Pre-race breakfast (eat 2 to 3 hours before start), energy gels, electrolyte drink for before the start

Logistics: Bag drop bag, throwaway warm layer for the start, metro ticket or Navigo card, phone for post-race photos and navigation

Documents: Photo ID (carry a copy in your bag drop, just in case), phone with race app installed for live tracking

Nice to have: Arm sleeves (versatile temperature layer), body glide or anti-chafe cream, sunglasses (March sun can be low and bright), small amount of cash for post-race food

After the Race

Once you cross the finish line at Place de la Bastille, you will receive your medal, a finisher's t-shirt, and refreshments in the post-race area. Collect your bag drop, then take a moment to enjoy the atmosphere in the square before the crowds thin out.

Paris is an incredible city for post-race exploring. The Marais is a 10-minute walk from Bastille and has some of the best restaurants, cafes, and bakeries in the city. If your legs can handle it, walking along the Seine toward Notre-Dame (undergoing its final stages of restoration) or across to the Latin Quarter makes for a memorable afternoon.

For recovery, many runners head to a Parisian brasserie for a well-earned meal. You have just run a half marathon through one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Eat the croissant. Have the steak frites. You have earned it.

Why the Paris Half Marathon Is Worth It

There are hundreds of half marathons you could run. What makes the HOKA Semi de Paris special is the combination of a genuinely fast, flat course with a city that transforms race day into a celebration. The atmosphere at Bastille as you cross the finish line, the views along the Seine, the unexpected beauty of running through the Bois de Vincennes, and the knowledge that you are part of the largest half marathon field in the world all add up to something bigger than just another race.

For runners using this as a spring season opener or a tune-up race before a spring marathon, the timing is perfect. Early March gives you a benchmark performance while leaving plenty of time to adjust training for longer distances later in the year.

Whether you are running your first 21.1km or your fiftieth, the Paris Half Marathon delivers an experience that goes beyond the finish time on your watch. See you at the start line on March 8.

FAQ

Can I collect my bib on race day morning?

No. Bib collection closes on Saturday evening. There is no race-day collection. You must pick up your bib at the Grande Halle de La Villette on Friday or Saturday, or arrange to have it posted to you before February 15.

Is a medical certificate required?

No. Since 2025, the medical certificate has been replaced by the Health Prevention Course (PPS), a mandatory online health questionnaire costing 5 euros. Complete it before registration and keep your reference number.

What is the time limit?

2 hours and 50 minutes from your wave start time. This is generous enough for most runners, but if you expect to be close to the limit, be aware that course marshals will begin reopening roads as the cutoff approaches.

Is the course flat?

Very flat. Total elevation gain is approximately 66 metres over 21.1km. The only noticeable inclines are gentle rises over a few bridges. This is one of the fastest half marathon courses in Europe.

What is the best way to get to the start line?

Metro to Sully-Morland (Line 7) or Jussieu (Lines 7 and 10). If staying near Gare de Lyon, a 20-minute walk serves as a good warm-up. Avoid taxis and driving due to extensive road closures.

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