Following the mid-September news from the Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) that the Sydney Marathon would be the host race for the 2024 Age Group World Championships next September, it was announced on October 31 that runners who qualify and participate in the 2024 championships will receive a provisional WMM star at the race.

It doesn’t mean the Sydney Marathon will become the long-awaited seventh WMM race, but it is one of three destination races engaged in a two-year qualification process to possibly join the majors circuit in 2025.

Since the city chosen to be the “seventh star” in the World Marathon Majors will not be announced until 2025, this provisional star awarded in Sydney is meant to be an interim nod of acknowledgement to those runners who will compete Down Under.

“The Age Group World Championships is a program our community feels strongly about and one that has produced record-breaking performances in a number of categories,” says Dawna Stone, CEO of Abbott World Marathon Majors. “That demonstrates the standard of runners taking part and the level of commitment our participants have to this goal. We believe it is only right that this special group, that is already part of the AbbottWMM family, should be rewarded for dedicating themselves to training for, traveling to and racing in our flagship event.”

The Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group World Championships were introduced in 2022 at the London Marathon, offering the masters running community the opportunity to add a further layer of competition to their goals by qualifying to compete for their age-group crown or a podium finish.

This year’s Age Group World Championships were held in conjunction with the Chicago Marathon on October 8. Cesar Lizano Cedeno, a 41-year-old runner from Costa Rica, was the men’s overall age-group champion in 2:24:05, while Japan’s Mai Fujisawa was the women’s overall winner in 2:41:43.

As of yet, there is no non-binary division at the WMM age-group world championships. Organizers have said there are not enough races that have non-binary categories with sufficient numbers to create meaningful competition, and, accordingly, the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings and Championships, are unable to offer a non-binary option for qualification. It has said it will keep the potential for a non-binary division under annual review.

The WMM series of races was organized in 2006 with Boston, New York, London, Berlin, and Chicago as the founding marathons in the circuit, and then the Tokyo Marathon was added in 2013. The WMM introduced the Six Star Medal in 2016 to honor the runners who complete all six marathons in the series. Through the completion of the New York City Marathon last fall, there have been a total of 8,143 six-star finishes from 104 different countries.

The U.S. has the most six-star finishers through 2022 with 1,544, followed by the UK (771), Italy (453), Germany (439), and China (400).

RELATED: Looking to Qualify for the Boston Marathon? Here’s What Strava Data Says About That Elusive BQ

World Marathon Major Candidate Cities

In addition to the , the other two cities in the running for the elusive seventh WMM race are the in South Africa and the in China. Danny Coyle, Chief Content Officer at the Abbott World Marathon Majors, said the earliest any of the candidate cities could pass the criteria and be selected as a World Marathon Major race is 2025.

Abbott WMM is working with strategic partner Infront Sports & Media—a subsidiary of Beijing-based Wanda Sports Group—to identify candidate marathons based on the same criteria.

“The candidacy process runs the full gamut from runner experience to things like course signage, aid stations, right the wayĚýthrough to [the] quality of elite fields in both the able-bodied and open elite divisions,” Coyle said. “Sydney, Cape Town, and Chengdu all remain in the process, and all three could become Abbott World Marathon Majors. Our mission here is to create and support opportunities for all to discover the power of the marathon. Expanding into new continents and territories helps us serve that goal.”

How to Qualify for the 2024 World Marathon Majors Age Group Championships

There are varying paths to qualify for the World Marathon Majors Age Group World Championships. First, the term “age-group” is key; an athlete has to be 40 or older to qualify for the championships. Second, runners also have to meet the automatic qualifying time in a qualifying race, or place high enough in the Age Group World Rankings. Age-group qualifying times range from 2:35 (men’s) and 3:05 (women’s) for the 40-44 age-group to 4:40 (men’s) and 5:25 (women’s) for the 80-and-older age-group.

There are currently only to qualify for the 2024 age-group championships—including the California International Marathon on December 3, the only North American race.

An alternate entry option to the 2024 age-group championships is via the virtual , which has 200 invites up for grabs. Those taking part in the virtual challenge need to complete a 26.2-mile time trial with an approved device or app by the end of November 5, the date of this year’s New York City Marathon. (As of October 31, there are nearly 1,000 recorded finishes with the top 10 men between 2:33 and 2:46 and the top 10 women ranging from 2:51 to 3:09.) The 200 championship slots will be awarded in late December to the fastest finishers across all age groups based after verification ofĚý individual results.

RELATED: Don’t Skimp on Marathon Recovery

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With longer daylight hours and warmer, more consistent weather, summer is ideal for tuning up the fitness you built in the spring or the time to start a new training plan for a fall marathon.

No matter if you’re already very fit and ready to race, just starting to build your aerobic base or ready to explore on long trail runs, you need a good pair of shoes to get you there.

Our Top Running Shoe Selections for Summer

Here are eight newly released shoes for summer that we’ve enjoyed on our initial wear-testing runs in late spring.

Adidas Adizero Boston 12,

• Weights: 8.0 ounces. (women’s size 8), 9.4 ounces (men’s size 9)
• Heel-Toe Offset: 6.5mm (37mm in the heel, 30.5mm in the forefoot)

One of the top training shoes in the Adidas lineup for years, the iconic Adizero Boston performance trainer has been revamped considerably over the past few years as the high-end materials have trickled down from the brand’s top-tier racing shoes. The newly released Adizero Boston 12Ěý has been tweaked with an enhanced midsole package and a new engineered mesh upper that we’ve found have made it feel slightly lighter, livelier and lower to the ground.

The new midsole consists of a top layer of Adidas’ high-rebound Lightstrike Pro foam and a bottom layer of its new softer Lightstrike 2.0 foam with the updated Energy Rods 2.0 propulsion mechanism embedded in the middle. That’s the same cohesive carbon-fiber-infused energy-return system found in the Adizero Adios Pro 3 racing model, and it gives this trainer a much livelier feel than the previous edition. The stack height and heel-toe offset have both been reduced slightly, for enhanced agility and better proprioceptive feel for the ground. The new light and airy engineered mesh upper—made from 50 percent recycled materials—no longer has support overlays and now resembles the upper of the Pro 3.

Wear-test takeaway: The Adizero Boston 12 is returning to its perch among the top up-tempo training shoes. It’s about ⅓ of an ounce lighter than the previous version and noticeably more agile and energetic, making it ideal for faster workouts and progressively paced race-prep long runs.

Altra Torin 7,

• Weights: 8.1 ounces. (women’s size 8), 9.8 ounces (men’s size 9)
• Heel-Toe Offset: 0mm (30mm in the heel, 30mm in the forefoot)

One of Altra’s OG training shoes, the Torin has been known as Altra’s neutral-oriented high-mileage workhorse since its inception. But it’s a shoe that has continued to get livelier, even though it’s gotten slightly heavier from some of the earliest versions. Although Altra has tweaked some of its classic design features since its been under new corporate ownership over the past five years, the Torin retains the brand’s balanced cushioning platform—aka a zero-drop midsole/outsole chassis—and a slightly wider, foot-shaped toe box.

The latest edition of the Torin has been updated with an additional 2mm of the brand’s highly responsive Altra EGO Max foam, a new engineered mesh upper, a more sculpted heel design and a new tongue that’s softer and, although not gusseted, doesn’t migrate during a run the way it did in the previous model. The new heel and upper provide a softer and more plush feeling, as well as a more locked-in fit in the heel and midfoot.

Wear-test takeaway: While it still feels like an Altra shoe, the Torin 7 is on par with other top-tier everyday trainers, offering a savvy blend of comfort, shock absorption and energy return.Ěý

RELATED: şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Buyer’s Guide —ĚýBest Road Running Shoes of 2023

Asics Gel-Kayano 30,

• Weights: 9.2 ounces. (women’s size 8), 10.7 ounces (men’s size 9)
• Heel-Toe Offset: 10mm (40mm in the heel, 30mm in the forefoot)

More than any other brand, Asics has greatly revamped its line of legacy training shoe models in 2023. It started with the higher-stacked and more energetic midsoles in the Gel-Nimbus 25 and the Gel-Cumulus 25 neutral models and now the new Gel-Kayano 30 stability trainer follows suit with radical changes that include a maximally cushioned midsole (4mm higher than the previous version) and a new guidance system to provide more inherent stride stability.

The first thing you’ll notice about the Gel-Kayano 30 is the thick and cushy FlyteFoam Blast+ Eco midsole—a partially bio-based material that’s extremely soft and absorbent but also provides a noticeable amount of energetic pop, too. (There’s also a new, softer PureGel cushioning pod embedded in the heel and an increased heel bevel slope for improved shock absorption and stride transitions.) The other outstanding update to this shoe is the modern adaptive stability mechanism (called the 4D Guidance System) that serves up stability from a 5mm wider footprint, and a less obtrusive secondary foam wedge under the medial arch and a less abrupt heel counter (but no lightweight flexible plastic shank from the previous edition).

Wear-tester takeaway: The Gel-Kayano 30 looks, feels and rides vastly different from its predecessor, with a much softer and springier sensation in each stride and less abrupt stability-enhancing features. It’s a true modern version of a stability shoe that feels as soft and fresh as many neutral shoes.

Craft Nordlite Ultra,

• Weights: 9.4 ounces. (women’s size 8), 10.7 ounces (men’s size 9)
• Heel-Toe Offset: 6mm (40mm in the heel, 34mm in the forefoot)

Despite only being in the footwear game for a few years, Craft has bucked traditional design paradigms by developing training shoes with high-rebound cushioning for a wide range of surfaces. The Nordlite Ultra is a new everyday trainer that follows that pattern with a maximally cushioned midsole and luggy, low-profile outsole that’s ideal for running on pavement, gravel roads and mild trail surfaces.

The crux of the Nordlite Ultra is the singular layer of high-rebound supercritical nitrogen-infused Cr foam in the high-stack midsole that, combined with a significantly rockered geometry, serves up a propulsive ride that feels semi-soft and cushy at footstrike but firmer and more energetic during the transition to toe-off. The clean design includes a thin form-fitting tongue and a semi-stretchy perforated one-piece upper provides subtle but effective structure from an interior support strap and thin thermoplastic overlays on the heel.

Wear-tester takeaway: Despite a slightly snugger fit (and some runner’s might prefer a half-size larger than their typical size), the Nordlite Ultra’s combination of a flowy, resilient ride, interior comfort (enhanced by a premium footbed) and all-surface versatility favorably correlates to it being the gravel bike of running shoes.

RELATED: şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Buyer’s Guide —ĚýThe Best Trail Running Shoes of 2023

Hoka Zinal 2,

• Weights: 6.8 ounces. (women’s size 8), 8.0 ounces (men’s size 9)
• Heel-Toe Offset: 5mm (30mm in the heel, 25mm in the forefoot)

Hoka is prominently known for pioneering the maximal cushioning trend, but it has also produced a few low-to-the-ground shoes for fast training and racing with a more traditional feel and ride. The Zinal 2 is a newly updated lightweight, moderately cushioned shoe with exceptional traction and proprioceptive feel for the ground designed to move fast on mild to moderately technical trails.

About half-ounce lighter and considerably more flexible and agile, the Zinal 2 has been updated with a Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole with an aggressive array of 5mm directional lugs that allow it to excel at uphill climbing, precise cornering and aggressive downhill running. It has a new interior bootie construction that combines stretch-fit knit heel collar and integrated tongue that keep the foot locked down and contribute to the natural-striding ride.

Wear-tester takeaway: Although it feels exposed and vulnerable on rocky trails, the speedy Zinal 2 feels light, fast and unfettered on smooth dirt paths and moderately technical trails.

Merrell Antora 3/Nova 3,

• Weights: 9.0 ounces. (women’s size 8), 10.4 ounces (men’s size 9)
• Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm (29mm in the heel, 21mm in the forefoot)

Merrell has been in the trail running business for years, but it’s put a lot more effort and resources into it over the past few years via the Merrell Test Lab that incorporates input from its relatively new elite athlete team. The new women’s Antora 3 and men’s Nova 3 aren’t high end shoes from that program, but the trickle-down effect of materials and quality of construction have helped make this model a very capable, do-everything trail running shoe.

Built on a semi-firm EVA midsole platform, open mesh upper and grippy Vibram rubber outsole, it offers a good mix of comfort, durability, protection and performance at a value-oriented price. The 4mm outsole lugs can handle soft dirt, muddy terrain, loose gravel, tree roots, jagged rocks and snow, while the protective features (an midsole rock plate, reinforced toe box and sidewalls) guard against sharp rocks underfoot, stubbed toes and sidewall abrasions that can be common while running on more rugged routes.

Wear-tester takeaway: After testing this on a wide variety of trails this spring, we found this to be a durable, versatile trail runner that excels on all types of surfaces, from soft dirt trails to more rugged technical terrain. Although not as soft and springy as some other contemporary trail runners, we loved the protection, reliable traction and interior comfort.

Saucony Ultra Ridge GTX,

• Weights: 11.0 ounces (women’s 8); 12.0 ounces (men’s size 9)
• Heel-Toe Offset: 6mm (32.5mm in the heel, 26.5mm in the forefoot)

Yes, this one is not like the others! Saucony has made its mark in off-road running for years with its popular Peregrine and Xodus trail models, but its new Ultra Ridge GTX is actually performance-oriented hiking boot built with some of the same features and materials.

The Ultra Ridge GTX is an interesting shoe for adventurous trail running and hiking that provides a comfortable vibe, responsive ride and exceptional traction and support.

It’s built around Saucony’s super-springy PWRRUN PB midsole foam utilized in some of its energetic road running shoes and incorporated a similar aggressively lugged PWRTRAC outsole from its Xodus Ultra 2 trail running shoes, then topped it off with a high-top design and a waterproof Gore-Tex upper.

Wear-tester takeaway: While it might not be ideal for traditional backpacking, it thrives on long-distance day hiking outings, adrenaline-fueled peak-bagging and fast-packing and everyday trail running on especially rugged routes or on any terrain in snowy conditions.

Under Armour Flow Velociti Elite, $

• Weights: 6.4 ounces. (women’s size 8), 7.5 ounces (men’s size 9)
• Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm (36mm in the heel, 28mm in the forefoot)

Under Armour was one of the last brands to join the supershoe party, but when it arrived it brought something different and made a big splash. Even though it only became available to the public late this spring, the carbon-plated Flow Velociti Elite had an auspicious debut last fall as Kenya Sharon Lokedi wore a pair en route to winning the New York City Marathon in her 26.2-mile.

Like many other marathon racing super shoes, the Flow Velociti Elite has a full-length carbon fiber plate sandwiched between two vastly different foams that allows the midsole to compress and spring back for added lift and energy return and also creates a smooth, seamless ride. The top layer of foam is a soft, bouncy Pebax material, widely acknowledged as the industry standard for lightweight cushioning and energy return. The bottom part of the midsole and the rubber-less outsole is made from the brand’s proprietary supercritical Flow compound, a lighter, bouncier, nitrogen-infused version of the Olefin-based material the brand has used in previous Flow models.

Wear-tester takeaway: Although the lack of outsole rubber might reduce its long-term durability, it allows the Flow Velociti Elite to have a soft, flowy and energetic vibe without sacrificing traction or smoothness.

RELATED: Discover more running gear insights

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The Boston Marathon is, by all accounts, a cathartic experience. There’s much to talk about post-race—when the runner’s high hit, the dreaded wall at mile 22, the jubilation while crossing the finish line – but we’re not here to talk about any of that.

We’re here to talk about all things food.

Melanie Mitchell, şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř’s endurance brand director, ran her first Boston Marathon this year and called it a “magical day.” While it’s only her second stand-alone marathon, Mitchell previously completed two Ironman races, which end with 26.2 miles after a treacherous bout of biking and swimming.

“Arguably, a marathon is more intimidating to me [than an Ironman],” Mitchell says. “My goal was to nail the nutrition and PR… and I did both. The latter by 20 minutes. I enjoyed every mile, even the one I hated – mile 24-25 was possibly the longest mile ever run.”

After a few days of well-deserved peace and quiet, Mitchell shares with şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř’s food team what she ate before, during, and after her first Boston Marathon.

Pre-Race

The night before the race, Melanie fueled up with Asian noodles and tofu. She skipped the spicy sauce, wanting to avoid any food that may trigger stomach distress.

On the morning of the race, Mitchell had two breakfasts. She woke up five hours before the race (around 5:30 A.M.) and had an egg sandwiched between two plain bagel halves. A few hours later, she ate half of a croissant and an organic fruit strip. The French pastry gave her a healthy dose of quick carbs and the sweet snack’s natural sugars provided her with energy at the start line.

During The Race

In addition to grabbing sips of water at the aid stations, Mitchell focused on fueling herself with: gels.

“All Maurten gels, all of the time,” she says. “They’re easy to get down. I trained with them, raced with them, and had no issues. They’re worth every penny.”

(specifically called ) contain 25g of carbs, 25g of sugars, and 34 mg sodium. They’re a flavorless blend of glucose and fructose containing zero added colorants or preservatives. Mitchell consumed one of them every three miles, ingesting eight by the end of the race. This was an intentional, well-planned eating schedule unlike her fueling in prior athletic events. During her Ironmans, for example, Mitchell suffered from under-fueling during the marathon. However, she’s determined to not make the same mistakes during her next race—and used Boston as a nutritional test run. It’s a test she ultimately passed with flying colors. The proof? Finishing the biggest running race of the year with a 20 minute PR. Kudos!

Post-Race

Mitchell started the post-race celebration with two glasses of champagne, which she admits is not probably the textbook way to recover, but, hey, they tasted “fabulous.” When she arrived back at her hotel room, she scarfed down a recovery protein smoothie with 14g of pea protein and drank a few glasses of water, before heading out to the real culinary celebration: a hearty dinner of bolognese.

Mitchell typically adheres to a predominantly vegan diet, but on race day, she craved bolognese after running 26.2 miles.Ěý Following the lead of her stomach, she headed to Porto, a Mediterranean restaurant in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood for her celebratory meal. The bolognese featured fresh ingredients like local beef, tomato, grated parmesan, and pancetta.

Mitchell ate a lot of tasty, fueling foods during her time at the Boston Marathon, but nothing is quite as satiating as crossing the finish line. She’s not resting quite yet, though. Mitchell is already training for a third Ironman in June, and we can’t wait to hear about everything she eats then.

The post What I Ate Before, During, and After the Boston Marathon appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

The fact that sport builds meaningful confidence for women is well-documented.

, 94 percent of women executives reported having a background in sport, while over half of them participated at university level. Also, 74 percent agreed that playing sports helps a woman progress faster in their career.

Today is International Women’s Day, part of .

Today, we celebrate the many women who’ve led the charge in running, alongside current history-makers and those ensuring that the stories of women athletes will not be forgotten.

But, spoiler alert! This celebration will continue every month of the year, because, yes, women athletes and their accomplishments deserve to be championed every day. And for this, we say:

Enough already with the hashtags.Ěý

Let’s focus instead on the other 364 days of the year. Let’s keep featuring stories by, for, and about women who are changing the world of sport and beyond, while extending our stories beyond running, too.

to meet climbers, triathletes, cyclists, and yogis from the şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř family, because the fight for even playing fields is common to all sports.

Here are six of our favorite articles on women in running:

by Zoë Rom
Enough with the motivational messaging and cut and paste platitudes on International Women’s Day. We dive into why equality matters in sport, in life and beyond #IWD. This one is feisty; buckle up.

by Amanda McCracken
Women were written out of much of history because they were never written about in the first place. The podcast, Starting Line 1928, set out to do their part in preserving history by documenting oral histories of female distance runners.

by Taylor Dutch
Gloria Ratti, chief archivist for the Boston Athletic Association, was present over the period when running saw the massive growth of female participants. She took her role far beyond her job description. She granted complimentary entries. She even had tampons at hand for any in need. Gloria Ratti is the archivist who quietly supported the female invasion at Boston.

by Malissa Rodenburg
Arguably the most impactful invention in women’s sports, the sports bra has come a long way since it was two jockstraps sewed together. We follow the history of the sports bra from concept to marketplace and discover what supporting the girls really means.

by Dimity McDowell
The value of mentorship is priceless. The value of mentorship early in your career is infinite. Stef Strack founded Voice In Sport to provide mentorship to young female athletes looking to make the most of their athletic career as well as their life post-sport. With Alyson Felix on the VIS board, plus a host of Olympians and track athletes, VIS provides real, actionable mentorship and support for future history makers in running and beyond.

by Kristin Jenny
If you can’t find it, build it yourself. This reality has been the journey of many entrepreneurs, and the women we feature in our business roundup are no different. You’ll meet apparel and running related businesses, race directors, service providers and medical professionals who have chosen to dedicate their careers to female health.

Enjoy our collection this March, and subscribe to to read about inspiring women every day of the year.

The post For International Women’s Day, Let’s Ditch the Hashtags appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Paris, France, is getting ready to welcome the 2024 Olympic Games from July 9 through August 11. Given the late edition of Tokyo 2022 (in 2023), this is a short cycle for both athletes and fans alike.

In the last week, the marathon route for Paris 2024 has been revealed, and it’s going to be a beauty. The route has been described by the organizers as “spectaculaire, exigeant, inspirant” – breathtaking, demanding, inspiring. The marathon course is all of these things, and more. It’s a 26.2 mile (42km) tour around one of the most iconic cities in the world, with a side-serving view of the history and forests lying just outside of its boundaries.

A Marathon for All

One of the key goals of the Paris 2024 committee is opening up the Olympic and Paralympic experience to the general public. Before the elites take to the streets, Paris will host the , allowing a total of 20,024 (get it?) amateur athletes to experience first hand the same course as the Olympic athletes. Another shorter race will take place within the same city limits, taking in all the sites, but packed into a more accessible 10K distance. In line with the Paris 2024 organizers committing to gender equity, entries to both citizen’s races will be spread equally between female and male athletes.

Paris 2024 Marathon Route

Runners and spectators during the Olympic Games will be treated to some of the classic Parisian landmarks, plus the wooded parks and forests lying between the bustle of the capital and the village of Versailles, home to the eye-opening château of the same name.

The course will pass through 9 districts: Paris – Boulogne-Billancourt, Sèvres, Ville d’Avray, Versailles, Viroflay, Chaville, Meudon, and Issy-les-Moulineaux.

Sit back and take an armchair meander through the course before you start planning your trip.

Hôtel de Ville and Opéra de Garnier

Miles 0 – 1.6 / Kilometer: 0 – 3Ěý

Starting off at a Parisian classic, the local town hall, the athletes head west. They run parallel to the River Seine, before trotting off to the first landmark of the route at mile 1.6. The Opéra Garnier, at the end of one the classic boulevards in the city, is opulence at its finest. It’s a space for theatrical plays and ballet performances, but think of any print advertisement featuring a Parisian backdrop, and you’ve probably seen it. The exterior is as impressive as the interior, with its famous copper roof, turned green with age, guarded by two enormous gold gargoyles that could be the nightmare of pre-race dreams.

Tourist Tip: While the cafĂ©s around the OpĂ©ra Garnier might add a “scenery tax” to their beverages, it’s worth the extra euro or two to spend an hour contemplating every detail of this iconic building streetside.

Pyramide du Louvre

Miles 2.5 – 3 / Kilometers 4-5

Housing some of the most important and historical art in Europe, the Louvre is the next stop for marathon runners. They pass by the modern glass pyramid built in front of the imposing building that eases visitors into the museum. It’s a bold juxtaposition of the modern and the historic. As controversial as it was at the time of being built, the French have embraced la pyramide as part of their modern history.

Tourist Tip: Located right next to the Louvre are the urban Jardins du Luxembourg, a formal park to escape the sidewalks and take a stroll Ă  la parisien.

La Seine and Leaving The City

Miles 3 – 10 / Kilometers 5-17

Passing along the banks of the River Seine, runners will pass next to the Grand Palais and get a glimpse across the river to the finish line at Les Invalides. They score their first uninterrupted view of La Tour Eiffel on the other side of the bank around kilometer 8. Athletes then follow the classic boulevards and head out on the long, straight journey out of the city.

The Town and Château de Versailles

Approx Miles 12.5 – 14 / Kilometers 20 – 23

Just over halfway in the race, the athletes get to experience the playground of Louis XIV and the town and palace of Versailles. The only word to describe this chateau is regal. Its architecture and interior are a showcase of royal opulence, before the French Revolution put an end to the monarchy. With manicured gardens complete with lakes and views of the palace, both runners and spectators will take an extra breath as the marathon route passes by.

Tourist Tip: With an easy train journey from the city on the RER line, you can easily spend a full day taking in the grandeur of the palace and enjoying the street cafés of the town.

ForĂŞt de Meudon

Approx Miles 15 – 18.5 / Kilometers 24 – 30

Heading out of Versailles on one of the main boulevards, runners get a respite from the urban and enter the FĂ´ret de Meudon, a wooded escape from the city. They should take the time to enjoy the peace and sound of their feet to get ready for the last 7.5 miles of the race.

Tourist Tip: For a breath of fresh air after navigating the bustling city, the is made for a pair of gravel running shoes. There are plenty of .

Home Stretch and La Tour Eiffel

Approx Miles 19 – 25 / Kilometers 31 – 40

The runners start to head back to Paris, running again parallel to the River Seine, making a turn to its banks at kilometer 34. After a few miles along the river, they turn to run past La Tour Eiffel. Built to celebrate the centenary of the French Revolution (see aforementioned visit to the Château de Versailles), it’s one of the most recognizable national monuments in the world.

Tourist Tip: No visit to Paris is complete without a selfie or group photo at La Tour Eiffel. For word nerds, despite its somewhat phallic presence, ‘La’ Tour Eiffel is actually a feminine word, and not to be confused with masculine ‘Le’ Tour (de France). Visit our partner publication for all you need to know on that subject.

Finish Line at the Esplanade Des Invalides

Mile 26.2 / Kilometer 42

After the whirlwind tour of Paris, runners will come into the final few miles and the finish line awaits them at the wide and open esplanade housing a collection of buildings referred to as Les Invalides. The gold-domed enclave welcomes athletes to the finish line. Only one of them will take home gold on race day, but ending the marathon under the golden dome will help shine up the memories the athletes will take back home.

Tourist Tip: Les Invalides is the hub of all things military history in France. The golden dome itself is part of a chapel in the series of buildings, and houses the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte. A final pilgrimage to visit one of the icons of French history is a solid way to end the day.

The post The Marathon Course for Paris 2024 Has Been Announced and It’s a Beauty appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.