10 km from Paris Center continues to grow. Two years on, the event has regained its former glory by once again crossing the symbolic mark of 10,000 participants.
Created in 2011, the show took a long time to regain its rightful place. With three different partners (Nike, Bridgestone and Hoka since last year), editions that were not held or canceled (2012, 2016, 2018 and 2020 due to the health crisis), the 10 km Paris Center finally seems to be taking off.
With an estimated 16,000 participants, 46% of whom are women, organizers dream of breaking the attendance record set in 2015 with 13,182 participants.
“We are in an uphill phase,” stressed Jennifer Molina, of Golazo Sports France, the company organizing the race. We have 11,000 participants in 2023, 13,000 last year. For the first time, the 10 km long Hoka Paris Center is FFA certified. This is why we have more participants. We expect 16,000 this year. »
For the race to progress, organizers had to revise the copy. “The main change is the starting point,” Jennifer Molina emphasized. We no longer start from Avenue de l’Opéra but from Rue de Rivoli. The other routes are almost the same. »
From 09:30 to 10:45 for the 7th and final wave, runners will head towards the Concorde and then pass the Madeleine, the Opéra and the Place des Victoires. The finish will always be held on the Avenue de l’Opéra directly opposite the Palais Royal, the location of the event village.
The path rolls along without any significant difficulties, even though there are many bends. Runners need to be in the best condition to get maximum enjoyment. “Many come to achieve their best performance,” said Molina.
Several headliners
Among the announced runners, Simon Bédard, the Breton runner, is the top favorite, as is Marie Perrier of Mauritius, present at the Paris Olympic marathon, coming to defend her title. The winner of the 2023 Ultra Trail Mont-Blanc, American Jim Walmsley, is expected. Just like former triathletes Frédéric Belaubre and Charlotte Morel. Hugo Clément, journalist and environmental activist, was also announced.
Twelve months ago, victory went to Martin Desmidt in the 29′12′’ minute. It’s time to fix it. A year earlier, in 2023, Kenya’s Nelvin Jepkemboi won the preliminary event in 31’06” ahead of Lucas Liard, who was beaten in the sprint.
