Paris Half Marathon: Course Analysis & What to Expect
The Paris Half Marathon is a 13.2-mile out-and-back race near Paris, Île-de-France, France. The course gains 344 feet and loses 338 feet of elevation across rolling terrain.
Terrain Profile
This course is characterized by a profile that climbs to a high point then descends with 5 distinct terrain sections. Approximately 100% of the course is runnable (mild grades), while 0% involves sustained climbing or steep grades. The terrain opens with flat/rolling terrain and finishes with flat/rolling terrain — a flat finish that rewards consistent pacing.
Terrain DNA: Flat/Rolling → Flat/Rolling → Flat/Rolling → Flat/Rolling → Flat/Rolling
Course Strategy
As an out-and-back course, you will see the same terrain twice—use the outbound journey to mentally prepare for the return trip. With a balanced elevation profile (roughly equal gain and loss), you will face both sustained climbs and technical descents. Train for both disciplines.
The course is primarily on paved roads. Approximately 100% of the distance is at runnable grades, meaning most runners can maintain a running gait for the majority of the course.
What to Know Before You Go
- Flat finish: save something for a strong finish on level ground. Consistent pacing pays dividends here.
- Highly runnable: 100% of the course is at runnable grades. Pacing discipline matters—it's easy to go out too fast on terrain this favorable.