Common questions about running the Paris Marathon

How do I apply for a Macmillan guaranteed place?  Back to top

We will have a number of guaranteed charity places available in the 2014 Paris Marathon. These will be made available here when public entry to the event opens later in 2013. If you would like to be added to the enquiry list for the 2014 Paris Marathon please contact us|.  

As an example, the following packages were available in the 2013 Paris Marathon: 

	Package includes	Sponsorship pledge
Team Macmillan Package 1	Race entry only	£1,000  £30 registration fee (payable to 'Macmillan Cancer Support')
Team Macmillan Package 2	Race entry, return Eurostar and two nights accommodation at a 4* hotel in Paris	£1,200 minimum sponsorship pledge £180 registration fee. (payable to 'Sports Tours Interntional')

Please note that insurance and transfers are not included.

If you applied for a Macmillan guaranteed place you will have recieved a phone call from us as confirmation that your application was successful. If you applied for a place and did not hear from us please call us on 020 7840 4915.  

All entrants in the Paris Marathon have to provide a doctor's certificate| under French law. Failure to do so will mean you will be unable to run.

How do apply for my own place? Back to top

An 'own place' in the Paris Marathon is one you have secured through the public entry system. This is likely to open in September 2013 at the official Paris Marathon website|. To be added to our enquiry list for the event contact us| and we will email you with details on when public entry will open as soon as we know them.  

If you join Team Macmillan with your own place in the event you do not have a minimum sponsorship amount to raise, we are grateful for whatever you can raise.

When do I need to apply?  Back to top

As soon as possible once entry to the Paris Marathon opens! Public entry for the 2013 run filled within three months.

Our Team Macmillan packages are also offered on a first come, first served basis. 

What kind of support will Macmillan give me? Back to top

When you join Team Macmillan you will be supported throughout your entire Paris Marathon experience. In addition to our initial fundraising and training pack, we will send you regular newsletters full of tips to help you prepare for the big day.

You will also be invited to our pre-race pasta party the night before the marathon and our post-race recovery drinks after you finish. Here you will receive a well-deserved celebratory drink. And if that isn’t enough, we will give you the loudest support possible throughout the race from our supporter points on the Paris Marathon route.

Is it more convenient for me to fly to Paris? Back to top

If you want to secure Team Macmillan Package 2 and you don't live near London it may be more convenient for you to fly to Paris (the standard package includes return Eurostar travel). Sports Tours International, our tour operator, will be able to arrange travel by air for you. Dependent on flight costs compared with Eurostar costs you may have to pay a surcharge to Sports Tours.

Do I have to get a doctor's certificate? Back to top

Every runner needs to provide the organisers with a medical certificate which contains the correct wording, see the event website| for further information. Failure to provide the race organisers with your medical certificate at registration will mean you will be unable to run. Macmillan is unable to reimburse any costs your doctors may charge for providing a medical certificate.

We recommend you use the following medical certificate| and get it signed and stamped by your doctor. The organisers are very strict with the wording as they are regulated by French law for sporting events.

What is the accommodation like? Back to top

If you are regsitered to Team Macmillan Package 2 you will be staying at the superior 4* Mercure Hotel located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. This is a quiet residential area, yet close to the Trocadero, Champs Du Mars and a short walk along the river to Place Concorde. The Mercure is a modern hotel, it has a styish reception leading to a bar, shop and restaurant overlooking a pleasant garden. All rooms have an en suite, hairdryer, colour television and mini bar. American-style breakfast is included.

If you have secured your own place or are signed up to Team Macmillan Package 1 then you will need to book your own accomodation in Paris.

Can I extend my stay or take my family? Back to top

Sports Tours International, our tour operator, can arrange for your package to be tailored to your requirements so that you can extend your stay in Paris or take family and friends with you, availability permitting. However additional costs incurred beyond our basic Team Macmillan package will need to be paid for by you.

I already have a place – is there a sponsorship target? Back to top

No. If you have secured your own place in the Paris Marathon through the public entry system there is no minimum sponsorship target – we are grateful for any money that you can raise on our behalf. We will provide you with a full fundraising pack and keep you up to date with all Team Macmillan activity.

Will Macmillan help me with my training? Back to top

Of course! When you sign up to run the Paris Marathon with Team Macmillan we will provide you with a comprehensive training pack and regular newsletters full of top tips, including advice from our Team Macmillan patrons. We will also advise you of other useful sources of information to help you prepare for the big day.

What happens if I get injured?  Back to top

If you get injured whilst training we recommend you contact your GP, physio or specialist sports injury clinic. They will be able to advise you if you are fit enough to run. If you do need to withdraw you will need to let the race organisers know, and if you are signed up to a Team Macmillan package 2 place you will need to let Sports Tours know as soon as possible as we may be able to get your package refunded. Please also let Macmillan know so that we can update our records.

When signing up to the Paris Marathon we recommend you take out insurance that will cover you in the event of injury.

When do I get my race number? Back to top

You will need to pick up your running number at the Paris Marathon expo which takes place in the days preceding the marathon. More information on the expo is available on the Paris Marathon website|. When collecting your running number you will need to present ID and confirmation of entry.

The Paris Marathon expo take place at the Parc des Expositions de la Porte de Versailles, Hall n° 4-75015 PARIS.

Where can I find more specific information? Back to top

Go to the Paris Marathon website| for a map of the course, training info and much more.

What difference will my sponsorship make? Back to top

The Paris Marathon is a fantastic challenge and the money raised from this event goes such a long way to help people living with cancer, for example:

• £500 could pay for a Macmillan information and support services manager for five days, ensuring that people affected by cancer have access to good quality, comprehensive and appropriate information and support
• £1,500 could pay for a Macmillan nurse for 10 days, ensuring that cancer patients and their family and friends receive the practical, emotional and medical support that they deserve
• £2,200 could pay for 10,000 copies of The Cancer Guide, providing invaluable information about cancer, its treatment and care and lists of helpful organisations
• £5,000 could pay for 100 Macmillan grants of £50 for a liquidiser for cancer patients who can’t eat solid foods as a result of their cancer or treatment.