They did it, they are finishers! This Sunday morning, 55,922 runners came together for a day full of promise, with 26 miles and 385 yards (42.195 km) ahead of them to be covered in the world’s most beautiful city. It is a legendary distance, which has inspired dreams for a very long time. It is also an intimidating one which some even find frightening. However, one day each participant decided to try and make this dream come true. It demands weeks, often months of training, in all sorts of conditions, as well as efforts and sacrifices to finally be present on the starting line of the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris.
Running down the Champs-Élysées caught up in the euphoria of the start, running around the Place de la Concorde, heading towards the Opéra de Paris, then the Louvre, Hôtel de Ville, La Bastille, before rushing into the Bois de Vincennes woods was all part of a beautiful and intense journey. All around there was an atmosphere that transcended and carried the runners along. With bands and kind words from volunteers along the route or at refreshment points, Paris was in full celebration mode. The runners reached the symbolic halfway point in East Paris before returning to the French capital’s centre. Due to flooding of the Seine River, the race took the upper quays on its return to the Grand Palais, with the Trocadero and Eiffel Tower overlooking them before tackling the last few kilometres on the beautiful avenues of the 16th arrondissement. When the time came to make the last effort, the runners’ legs were already heavy. However, the prospect of the finish gave rise to the first shivers of joy. The emotions were already bubbling under, ready to explode. The last few strides along Avenue Foch were swallowed up, transcended by the euphoria of the moment. The dream was within touching distance. Two hundred metres, one hundred metres, fifty metres and then the finishing line where they became a finisher! For hours on end, they followed one another behind the day’s champions, Ethiopians Mulugeta Uma and Mestawut Fikir. All with different objectives: breaking a record, going under a symbolic barrier, running for a good cause or simply being a finisher.
Laughter, tears, shouts of joy… in short, happiness in all its guises
At the finishing line, some cried, some laughed, while others fell into the arms of a friend or partner. Some also yelled out loud, very loud. “I just need to let it all out,” admits Mathis, who came from Brussels for his first marathon. “Throughout the race, I was really focused and now I’m just delighted to be here. I started running in December. I used to hate it, but little by little, I developed a taste for it. The idea of running a marathon soon came to mind. With my girlfriend who has also taken up running, we wanted to do something legendary because we thought we might only ever do one single marathon in our lives. Paris was an obvious choice. Completing these 42 kilometres is fantastic. I had wonderful sensations in an incredible city”.
Almost half of the field were running their first marathon
Like Mathis, 46% of the field were starting their first marathon today. Maxence, who travelled down form Caen, was among them. “A friend who had been wanting to do it for several years got me motivated,” he said. “It was in December. I thought I wouldn’t have enough time, but she told me not to worry, to get stuck into training and it would be ok! And that’s what has happened. The finish was very tough. Fortunately, the crowds encourage you, otherwise it wouldn’t have been possible”.
More and more young people are trying out the distance
The proportion of under-25s is growing every year, and now accounts for 10% of participants in the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon, compared with 5% 5 years ago. Like Hugo, a native of Toulouse aged 24 years old, who finished within a tiny bit less than 4 hours. “I’m really proud. The crowds were crazy. I was expecting it, but not that much! The quality of the organisation is also insane. I’ll be back for sure and I’ll train even better to do even better”.
Runners from all over the world
Maria Fernanda Vanzo Reis is an American living in Brazil. She was among 28% of the field made up of women and 31% of foreigners. “It was incredible,” she explained with a broad smile. “It’s the second time I’ve run here in Paris. It’s like running through a postcard, what’s not to like? I’ll keep coming back as long as I can run. It’s a long journey to get here, but it’s worth it. Now, I’m going to treat myself to a glass of champagne!” Shinichi Tanaka also came a long way, from Japan for his 26th marathon. “It’s the first time I’ve run in Paris. I’m really happy about it. The spectators carried me throughout the race. They gave us incredible strength”. As soon as they crossed the finishing line, many runners pulled out their phones to take a selfie and immortalise the moment. Among them Léo and Marie-France could be seen striking a pose. “The atmosphere was wonderful, but I forgot that it hurt my legs so much,” laughed Léo, a native of Grenoble based in Barcelona and a member of the Schneider Electric team. “But I beat my personal best! There’s doubt I’ll come back and do it again!” “There were people everywhere all the time, cheering us on constantly,” added Marie-France. “It gives you such a boost, especially at the end. All our family and friends were there to encourage us. When we saw them it gave us wings!”
Running for a good cause
In the peloton, many are also there to support causes close to their hearts, to pass on messages. The sport as ambassador, the surpassing of oneself as symbol.
This year, the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon broke another record, with 1.5 million euros raised by 1,800 'solidarity bibs' for nearly 250 charities.
Fantine Guégan came from Poissy, in the Yvelines to take part. With Sébastien, Vincent, Guillaume, Julien and Pierre, they took it in turns to carry the joëlette wheelchair and take Thibault, a soldier injured in action, to the finishing line, with the desire to give him an unforgettable memory.
See you on Wednesday 10 April to register for the 2025 event!
