Running Marathons - Paris_Marathon

Paris Marathon Expo

Pre-Race Expo

During the last five or six years, exhibitor participation in the expo for the Paris Marathon has grown from the usual shoe vendors and a large number of other running events, to one of the largest and most worthwhile events in its class.

When "everybody" is there, it begins to take on a life of its own, separate from the marathon. The organizers have had to move to larger buildings several times since the year 2000 due not only to the increases in exhibitors, but also to the tremendous increase in runners, families, guests... It is safe to say that the number of people attending has managed to stay ahead of their expansion efforts. That means that it would be wise to get there early. At least don't try to arrive mid afternoon on Saturday. In recent years, the lines have extended out the doors, down the stairs and out into the road at the "Parc des Expositions."

So, don't expect to rush through. You won't be able to, nor will you want to. (rs)

Getting to the Expo

The Marathon Expo is located in a large convention/sports center known as the "Parc des Expositions" and is some distance from the marathon course. The Paris Metro is probably the quickest and lowest cost method of getting there. The closest station on the Metro is Porte de Versailles on Line 12 (see Metro discussion here). The station is only a few steps from the "Parc des Expositions" complex entrance. The specific building that the expo is located in varies from year to year, but there is always plenty of signege to direct you. Line 12 connects with Line 1 at "Concorde" (see Friends and Family discussion related to the Metro and Line 1 here). Or, it connects with 4, 6 and 13 at Mountparnesse. Line 6 loops from "Nation" (see Line 6 and "Nation" related info here) down around the southern part of the city and then ends back up at Charles De Gaulle Étoile. That gives you lots of options.

If you are coming straight from CDG Airport, take the RER to Gare du Nord (the first stop after the train goes underground) and transfer to Line 4. Then ride Line 4 all the way down to Mountparnesse. Then transfer to Line 12 as mentioned above. From Orly Airport, there is a short transfer to the RER where you head north to either Line 2 or 4 at Denfert-Rochereau. Both lines will take you to Mountparnesse where, again, you can transfer to Line 12.

That probably sounds complicated. If you have a lot of baggage, it will be and you should probably go to your hotel first and lighten your load. If you are traveling light, you won't have much trouble with it. Get a Metro/RER map and study the routes before you venture out. It will cut the hassle down to a minimum.

The organizers list bus lines 39, 42 and 49 all of which go to the general area of the expo. I do not have direct experience with them. If you are on a budget, I would not recommend a cab unless you are within a short distance of the "Parc." You could buy a lot of stuff to take home for what it would cost to "cab it." Then you have something to show for your effort and that works a lot better than describing your great cab ride to your friends. Renting a car and driving is a good option, but only if this is your 8th or 9th trip to Paris and you have done the "car thing" before. (rs)

Taking Care of Business Expo's at large races are becoming great places for deal making among running events. "If I don't see you in Paris, I will catch up with you later in Prague and we will work something out." Thus goes the commitment between race executives. Cash strapped events strive for joint marketing partnerships with similar events. Who gets what date on the running calendar, what event is about to get/lose a big name sponsor... and who can make good use of that knowledge. Chairs are pulled in around tables and the talk begins. There is a new buzz in the air as marathoning becomes bigger and bigger, and more companies begin to watch quietly from the sidelines.

Expo-Go-Rounds Going to event expo's is evolving into a multi trip process. The number of booths, the value of the deals, chance meetings with old friends, all add up to too much of just one crash dive through the lines. You have to go to get your bib number, and don't forget the "goodie" bag full of unidentifiable and sometimes useless stuff. But, if you don't get it, you will worry about what wonders you might have missed that everyone else is going to be talking about -and free as well. So, you go, you look around, then you return to the hotel and think about how much you want to spend. Then you go back and spend more than you wanted. I guess that is what makes it fun. I still have bags and bags of stuff from events that I don't dare throw out. It was precious information when I picked it up. You never know when you will need it.

Paris Marathon Expo

Paris Marathon Pages

Paris Running Pages

Pre-Race Expo

Getting to the Expo