How the Paris Marathon Works

If you want to run the Paris Marathon, you'll need to register early. Despite having 40,000 available spots, the race reaches capacity well before the registration deadline approaches. Early registration allows runners to save a few euros: The process begins in mid-September, and registration costs 55 euros (about $70) until October 20, after which the entry fee jumps to 70 euros ($89). After the end of November, you'll need 85 euros ($108). Registration closes in mid-January. Don't count on paying the maximum amount, though, as the race generally fills up before the November price hike.

When you register, your proficiency as a runner determines your bib color, which represents your placement at the starting line. As with all races, priority is given to the fastest runners, so Paris applicants choose among six colors, or start zones. The first two zones, red and yellow, require proof of a qualifying run time from a race held in the previous two years. In order to qualify for a red or yellow bib, your finish times must be between 3:00 hours and 3:15, respectively. From there, runners can vouch for themselves -- without proof -- to start in the blue, purple, green and pink zones, which run from 3:15 to 4:30 and over.

One other aspect of registration that makes Paris unique among its international marathon counterparts is the requirement of medical clearance from a doctor. The form certifies that you're fit to run the 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) course without being a medical liability. The clearance form is available on the official Paris Marathon Web site, and when you complete registration, it's matched to your bib number.

Everyone knows that Paris is a beautiful city, so keep reading to find out what you'll see on the Paris Marathon route.

Want a chance for a springtime run in one of the most beautiful cities in the world? The Paris Marathon gives you the opportunity to see the sights: The loop race starts and finishes at the Arc de Triomphe and winds its way through the City of Lights, along the famous Champs Elysées. You'll pass by historic sites like the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame, the Place de la Bastille and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. These famous landmarks help make the Paris Marathon one of the most scenic races in the world, which is one reason why the race fills up six months in advance.

Aside from famous landmarks, the cobblestoned route also passes countless cafes, gardens and shady city parks. Every 5 kilometers (or 3.1 miles) along the wide, flat streets near the scenic Seine River are refueling stations that offer water, fresh fruit and sugar to help runners maintain their energy levels. If you don't want to wear a watch to keep time, you can check your pace at the 1- and 21-kilometer (0.6- and 13-mile) marks, and every 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) in between.

The start of any race that has 40,000 runners can be a little hazardous, and it's especially tricky on the cobblestone streets at the starting line of the Paris Marathon. Once the field spreads out, the footing becomes more stable, and each starting zone has a pacemaker who can help you keep track of your running time. If you have a goal in mind, you can simply follow these experienced runners who have colored balloons tied to their wrists. So if you want to run the race in 3:30, just look for the blue balloons and keep pace. To qualify as a pacemaker, you must have run the previous five Paris Marathons at the target time for which you're applying.

The Paris Marathon course is mostly flat and is known for medium to fast finish times. Near the beginning of April each year, runners line up for an 8:45 a.m. start time. The handisports marathon begins with wheelchair participants hitting the road 10 minutes before the regular race starts. While the 2010 race had a 40,000-runner limit, previous years topped out at 37,000, with 28,883 finishing the race in 2008. This makes Paris the fifth largest marathon in the world in terms of finishers. That same year, 16.5 percent of the field was female and 29.2 percent were from countries other than France, with more than 90 countries represented.

As with all world-class marathons, the Paris event draws a field of elite runners to compete for the robust purse -- both the male and female champion receive a 50,000 euro ($63,000) prize. There's a catch to the winning the money, though, that differentiates the Paris race from other marathons. In order to claim your prize, you not only have to finish first, but also must meet a time requirement. The champion male runner must complete the race in under 2:11:45, and the top female needs a time under 2:23:15. A second place finish nets 30,000 euros ($38,000), third gets 20,000 ($25,000), and all of the top 10 finishers get a share, as long as they meet the time requirement.

The course records for the Paris Marathon were set in 2010 by the women, and 2009 for the men. An Ethiopian female named Atsede Baysa set the mark with a time of 2:24:42. A male runner from Kenya named Vincent Kipruto finished with an all-time best of 2:05:47.

If you want to try for a course record, or if you just want to run, check out the next page for lots more information about the Paris Marathon.