The routes for the para road cycling and para marathon events of the Paris Paralympic Games (August 28-September 8) were unveiled Tuesday by the organizers, highlighting several towns in Seine-Saint-Denis, north of the capital. . The events in both disciplines, which will take place between September 4 and 8, 2024, will be completely free for the public. “We can’t wait to see the Paralympic athletes set off on demanding courses, which will showcase the territories of Paris, Seine-Saint-Denis and Seine-et-Marne,” reacted Tony Estanguet , president of Paris-2024, in a press release.
The marathon will be held on the last day of the Games, over a distance of 42.195 kilometers, more than half of which will be covered in Seine-Saint-Denis, before arriving at the Esplanade des Invalides in Paris. The start will be given at Parc Georges-Valbon, which crosses the communes of La Courneuve, Saint-Denis, Stains and Dugny. “The course promises to be quick, with a first rather flat part which will wind through nine communes of Seine-Saint-Denis,” indicate the organizers. The marathon runners – divided into two categories, for the visually impaired (T12) and those in wheelchairs (T54) – will then head towards Paris, with “a final, more hilly part of the race across the right bank of the capital”, a passage through the Champs Elysées, and arrival at Les Invalides.
The town of Clichy-sous-Bois, east of Paris, will host the start and finish of the time trial and para cycling road race events, around a circuit of 13.9 km which will pass in particular through the Forest of Bondy and the department of Seine et Marne (77). A mixed relay event will also take place, over a 1.8km course, still in Clichy-sous-Bois. Four categories make up the discipline at the Games: “H” for “Handbike” or hand cycle, “T” for tricycle – for athletes with motor and balance disorders – “C” for cycle, and finally “B” for Blind, i.e. athletes with a visual impairment.
Seine-Saint-Denis will be the scene of several Games events. In addition to para cycling and the marathon, the department will host the athletics (Stade de France) and sitting volleyball (Arena Paris Nord) events for the Paralympics.