Paris Marathon is one of the leading long distance races of the world . Besides the two important marathons London and Berlin, Paris Marathon is one of the most important Marathons of Europe. This long distance race of France covering 42.195 kilometers is one of the oldest marathons in the world . Paris marathon commenced in the year 1896. Initially, the race involved a distance of 40 Kilometers . From the year 1924 the distance was increased to 42.195 kilometers The winner of 1896 Paris Marathon was an English athlete Len Hurst . In the first marathon 196 athletes took part. Today, the popularity of Paris Marathon has grown by leap and bounds. France Sports is recognized more by Paris Marathon.Each year 35,000 long distance runners participate in this prestigious Paris Marathon. Sports in France will be orphaned without this prestigious marathon. Athletes from around 100 countries participate in this great marathon of France.
Paris Marathon commences from Champs Elysees and culminates at Foch Avenue . Paris Marathon is always held on one of the Sundays in the month of April. One of the most important benchmarks to participate in Paris Marathon is that all Athletes need to be hale and hearty in order to participate in the race . In this regard marathon runners have to submit a medical fitness certificate indicating they do not have any health problems. Paris Marathon does not have any qualifying mark . However the accepted time to complete the race is 340 minutes i.e. around 5 hours and 40 minutes.
Paris Marathon is an important component of Sports in France The 2007 Men ‘s Marathon was won by Qatar’s Shami Mubarak who clocked the time of 2hours 7 minutes whereas Ethiopian Magarsa Assale Tafa clinched the 2007 women Marathon title in a time of 2 hours and 25 minutes. The Paris Marathon record till date stands in the name of Kenyan Mike Rotich who clocked a time of 2hours 6 minutes and 33 seconds in 2003 and among women, Belgium’s Marleen Renders 2002 timing of 2 hours and 33 minutes is a remarkable feat which most women marathon runners would like to eclipse.
|
|
Paris Marathon employs the most modern technology to detect the minutest timings of each athlete. Each marathon runners are provided a chip , which is attached to the lace of one of the shoes . At the end of the race , the chip is collected by the organizers. Along the route of the marathon, the athletes are provided water and variety of refreshment like bananas , oranges, energy drinks, dry fruits and sugar cubes.
The important feature of next years Sports in France , the 2008 Paris Marathon will be held on April 6, 2008.
To understand these annual sports events better please click on the following links.
|
