The Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris is an unmissable race. Two months after your New Year’s resolutions, this season-opener is your chance to really get back in the swing of things. There’s no way to cheat in the Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris: you’re going to have to push yourself to the limit! Speed, timing, motivation, performance: this race will set the pace for all your athletic challenges in the year to come. Be there or be square!
Just the 21,100 metres you need!
Whether you’re still a bit of a running newbie or a total tarmac addict, the Semi-Marathon is just the right length. That’s why over 40,000 people register every year to pound the streets of the world’s fashion capital… in neon trainers.
Nobody knows better than us that you need to be prepared for a half-marathon. To make sure you’re ready on the big day, the organisers will be holding training sessions: vVO2max tests, hill training, GPP, long runs… There’s something for everyone, and that means no excuses!
21.1km is a distance that shows real athletic ambition, which will be illustrated by the photo of you at the finish line, looking totally worn-out. You’ll still post it on the social networks, of course: it must be the only time that sweat will earn you likes!
If you live in Paris, then the Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris is your chance to take back your city and show everyone what you’re made of once you get into your stride! Historically, you’ll be taking the east side. The race will start on the Esplanade du Château de Vincennes (no less!), but you’ll soon hit good old tarmac in the streets of the 12th arrondissement. Represent your neighbourhood! Are you really going to let yourself be overtaken by Little Miss Place de Clichy or that guy from Montparnasse?
Gare d’Austerlitz, Hôtel de Ville, Bastille: if you can rely on your legs, you’ll appreciate the capital’s emblematic monuments before you reach Châtelet. You won’t have time to stop at Les Halles to have a panini: it will already be time to go back to the Parc Floral to collect your finisher’s medal.
If you’re from elsewhere, challenge the Parisians and show them that you have bags of energy. You won’t be alone: over 4,000 foreigners intend to defend their countries’ honour whilst enjoying the party atmosphere guaranteed by musical entertainment along the entire route.
A handful of elite runners from Kenya and Ethiopia will also be there to try and break their records. Wherever you’re from, nothing’s stopping you from trying to outrun them. The Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris is run on relatively flat terrain, which means that anyone can take part. Get your trainers on!
LESS
Fast, Flat and Full Course
I stayed at the Hotel Turrene le Marais which was a quick metro ride to the start, and a short walk from the finish. My friend and I stopped at … MORE
I stayed at the Hotel Turrene le Marais which was a quick metro ride to the start, and a short walk from the finish. My friend and I stopped at Land and Monkey for lattes after the race and watched the runners go by.
The most difficult part about this race was getting in my corral. I was in the 1:50 wave and walked back and forth several times after being told I couldn’t enter (after being directed by volunteers). The second most difficult part was waiting for the bathrooms. This is always an issue at races but this was the worst I’ve ever experienced.
Otherwise, the race was great. It was crowded (what I meant by full in my title). Runners from previous years mentioned running out of water. This was never an issue and I drank from cups they provided. They offered a lot of real fuel choices. Other runners were also disappointed in the course, which I understand the disappointment but if you look at the course map, it should never have been an expectation to run by landmarks. I enjoy the course as it got me out of the city for a bit. It was flat, only a small section of cobblestone and had I not broken my fibula 7 weeks prior, felt it could have been close to a PR course for me.
Great city, so-so race
I booked this trip with Marathon Tours (as I have for most of my international races). They are always reliable, though this trip had a surprisingly light itinerary. Our hotel … MORE
I booked this trip with Marathon Tours (as I have for most of my international races). They are always reliable, though this trip had a surprisingly light itinerary. Our hotel (Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon) was convenient to the start and finish. There was a pre-race dinner the night before and a cocktail reception following the race. Marathon Tours also picked up participant bibs so we didn’t have to go to the expo.
The race swag was nice. I registered for the “unforgettable” package so I received a “flocked” shirt (my name on the back of the shirt), free photos & videos, and (in theory) the race will be sending me a personalized time piece that can be added to my medal. The shirt and medal are nice. And post finish line the race provided a really nice race branded small duffle bag.
Paris is a beautiful city with lots to see and do. Unfortunately runners see very little of that on race day. While the course is mostly flat there is very little scenery. It is a very large race (almost 48,000 in 2024) and it is organized well. Of course, it is always tough being in the last wave (11 AM start) and seeing so many finishers (who started as early as 8 AM) as you are walking to the start!
As you are walking to the start you will see some port-o-potties. Use them! Don’t assume there will be more. There were surprisingly few of them in the start area and on the course.
As I was waiting to start the race, I turned to my friends and asked if we should be concerned that so many people were either holding water bottles or wearing hydration vests. We decided, “No, there have to be aid stations on the course.” We then panicked as we still hadn’t seen an aid station by the 5k. There was finally water near mile 4. That seemed late and it was only on one side (runner left) so it was a little chaotic. The next aid station was after mile 7. Then there was one final one. Be prepared for that.
Bottom line: I was happy to be visiting Paris (for the 1st time) and being with my friends. The race itself, though, will not be one that remember.
Where are the monuments ?
I was disapointed by the route as most part of the race is actually outside of the city, in the Bois de Vincennes. Come on Paris, you have so much … MORE
I was disapointed by the route as most part of the race is actually outside of the city, in the Bois de Vincennes. Come on Paris, you have so much more to show for your half marathon ! This is a massive event with 40 000 runners, and I have to admit that it is well organized on race day, with successive departure, you do not feel the mass of people. Disapointed by the race pack as well, with just the t-shirt from the race, for 55 € they can do better ! Also, the expo is not well located, at the far north east part of the city, at the parc de la Villette. On the plus side, the medal is nice with a beautiful design every year.
Flat and Fast!
Paris Semi-Marathon is a fast and flat race through the eastern part of the city. The course is quite nice and the race is very well organized. If you haven´t … MORE
Paris Semi-Marathon is a fast and flat race through the eastern part of the city. The course is quite nice and the race is very well organized. If you haven´t started the spring season in February this early March race is a good race to kick off!
Big city Halfmarathon. Felt generic
Not that many halfmarathons in Europe in early spring. Paris is often still cold then. Expo is relatively big. Start= finish, passing some sights of eastern Paris like hotel de … MORE
Not that many halfmarathons in Europe in early spring. Paris is often still cold then. Expo is relatively big. Start= finish, passing some sights of eastern Paris like hotel de vile and place de la Bastille.