Joel Hicks

Every year in April, 35,000 runners crowd the streets of Paris in the annual Marathon de Paris – or Paris International Marathon. Throughout the marathon runners get a good view of the magnificent city and some of its famous sights. The course starts out right in front of the Triumphal Arch and continues down the broad Champs Elysées. The route passes through two Parisian woods and past fabulous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and Place de la Bastille. A large part of the course runs along the banks of the calmly flowing Seine River providing pleasing scenery and ensuring flat streets at the same time. If the historic city, the world famous sites and the peaceful, shady parks don’t quite do it for you, you can count on the 250,000 onlookers and the 70 music scenes to keep you going. And if that isn’t enough, you can always look forward to the red wine and cheese served at the 35th km – apparently, the organisers want you to be absolutely sure that you’re in France!