The Paris 2024 Olympic Marathon is set to be an exciting event, with around 80 men and 80 women representing their countries. The men’s marathon will take place on Saturday, August 10, and the women’s marathon on Sunday, August 11, both starting at 8 am local time in Paris. This year’s marathon course is unique, celebrating the historic Women’s March on Versailles, a significant event from the French Revolution. The route is not the same as the annual Paris Marathon and features challenging hills, with an ascent and descent totaling 436 meters, making it more demanding than typical city marathons like Boston and New York.
Marathon Course Details
The course begins at Paris’s Hôtel de Ville and stretches to the Palace of Versailles before returning to finish at Les Invalides. The first 15 km and last 10 km are relatively flat, but the middle section includes steep hills, with gradients reaching over 10% in some areas. This challenging terrain may not produce record-breaking times but promises thrilling races, as athletes with slower personal bests could still compete for medals if they are well-prepared for the hills.
Men’s Race Preview
The men’s race is highly anticipated, with 44 athletes having run faster than the current Olympic record in 2024. Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, aiming for his third consecutive Olympic gold, is the fastest in the field with a personal best of 2:01:09. However, his compatriot Benson Kipruto, who clocked 2:02 in the 2024 Tokyo Marathon, and Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma, with a personal best of 2:01:48, are strong contenders. Uganda’s Victor Kaplangat, the reigning World Champion, is also expected to perform well on the hilly course.
Women’s Race Preview
The women’s marathon is expected to be a battle between Ethiopian and Kenyan runners. Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa, the world record holder, and Amane Beriso Shankule, the 2023 World Champion, are among the favorites. Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir, the reigning Olympic Champion, and Hellen Obiri, known for her success on hilly courses, are also top contenders. The Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, who has a busy Olympic schedule, will add to the excitement as she competes in the marathon after participating in other events.
This year’s Olympic marathon promises to be a captivating event, with its challenging course and a diverse field of athletes, making it a must-watch for running enthusiasts worldwide.
