Paris Marathon rules tightened
The Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris (April 12) is on track for some 60,000 runners, but organizers clarified water‑station rules after controversy—pre‑filled bottles and disqualification risks now extend beyond elites to anyone targeting a sub‑2:50 finish. If you’re planning to race, the updated policy on aid stations is a must‑read (paris.fr) (rmcsport.bfmtv.com).
The organiser, Amaury Sport Organisation, says the course will feature 13 refreshment points — nine “complete” stations, four water-only points and a dedicated post-finish station — with more points and shorter gaps in the second half of the route to aid hydration. (schneiderelectricparismarathon.com)) Runners aiming under 2:50 will be covered by an “elite‑style” bottle system: pre‑filled bottles supplied by the organiser, with collection and reuse after the race. (schneiderelectricparismarathon.com)) That sub‑2:50 entitlement is conditional: athletes must start in the preferred wave (no later than 8:03 a.m.) and run at the prescribed 4:01/km pace to qualify for the supplied bottles. (schneiderelectricparismarathon.com)) Organisers have specified that bottles may only be discarded in designated collection zones roughly 150 metres after each station, and disposing of bottles elsewhere can trigger disqualification under the race rules. (schneiderelectricparismarathon.com)) The move follows an October 2025 announcement that the race would eliminate cups and single‑use bottles for environmental reasons, with the March 2026 updates adding the limited sub‑2:50 exception as organisers answered criticism reported by running media and national outlets. (leparisien.fr))
