Paris ( Imran Y. CHOUDHRY):- The HOKA Paris Half Marathon hold on yesterday in Paris, France. Record number of participants 50,000 runners from around the world, consolidating its position as the largest half marathon in the world. This 21.097 km race, organized by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO). Near parity with 46% women, with 23,000 female runners at the start.
The top three finishers were athletes from four African countries: Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and South Africa.
In the men’s race, Kennedy Kimutai took first place (1:00:11). The 35-year-old Kenyan won the Paris Half Marathon for the second consecutive time. He was followed, thirty seconds later, by his compatriot Timothy Misoi (1:00:41). South African Thabang Mosiako completed the men’s podium in third place (1:00:42). Victor Moreau was the first French man, finishing 9th in 1:03:14.
On this International Women’s Rights Day, Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray delivered an outstanding performance by winning the HOKA Semi de Paris 2026 in 1:05:12, setting a new women’s course record. She breaks the previous mark held by Kenya’s Sheila Chepkurui, who ran 1:06:01 in 2023. On the podium, Uganda’s Sarah Chelangat finished second, while Kenya’s Mercy Chepwogen completed the top three. The first French finisher women, Katia Raoult, placed 11th in 1:15:33.
Stories that inspire, from elites to amateur runners, each participant turned the effort into a personal challenge and a moment of sharing.
Beyond the times, it was thousands of individual journeys that defined the day. A first half marathon, a comeback after illness, a personal challenge, a symbolic birthday or a promise kept — every bib carried a story.
The event will lead to major traffic restrictions and heavy crowds in central Paris. Due to numerous road closures within Paris city limits, the most reliable means are public transport, cycling, and walking. The route passes through very busy central areas and the consequences are multiple: street closures early in the morning, major bus diversions, traffic difficulties by car in central Paris and traffic being diverted to peripheral routes.