The Paris Marathon has unveiled a new registration system for its 2027 edition, and runners’ response has been spectacular. Nearly 166,000 athletes from 165 countries have signed up for the first bib-number draw in the history of the race, a figure that confirms the enormous interest surrounding one of the world’s most important marathons (although it is not among the Majors; the only European dates are Berlin and London).
The change comes after Cadence Running United took over as the new organizer, replacing the traditional first-come registration system with a lottery. The bib will also carry a fixed price of 169 euros, compared with the previous model, where the cost climbed as the registration window progressed.
Although the final number of participants has not yet been officially confirmed, indications suggest that the 2027 edition will feature around 60,000 runners. If that figure holds, there will be roughly three applicants for every bib available.
International anticipation is enormous. Applicants come from 165 countries, and about 14,000 have registered by forming groups of two to six runners. One of the lottery’s features is that if one member of the group is selected, all of their teammates also receive a spot.
Dylan Holloway