Run Experience: three days immersed in the Paris Marathon’s running expo

From April 9 to 11, Run Experience took over Porte de Versailles ahead of the iconic Paris Marathon, welcoming soon-to-be marathoners, passionate runners and curious visitors keen to explore the world of running.

The runners start pouring out of the metro almost immediately. Some are already dressed for the race, polyester T-shirts and shorts, running shoes on their feet and ready to go. Others, like Quentin and Robin, have used the expo for their final run three days before race day. « We ran 3 km to get here, then we’ll take it easy on the way back, says Quentin, who took up running when he signed up for the Paris Marathon seven months earlier. Others have gone straight from a day at work to a quick visit to the expo, still wearing their finest suits. That’s the case for Dimeo, who has met up with two friends who arrived in running gear.

As every year, the expo is a feast for the eyes. Visitors hardly know where to look first. Before they even enter the vast exhibition space, a screen showing the marathon course in detail immediately draws the attention of everyone arriving. Then, after passing through security, they walk beneath an arch where the organisers have created a full soundscape. Voices from previous finishers play over gentle, moving music: « I surpassed myself! », exclaims a woman, while a man cries out: « It’s amazing ».

Once they have collected their bib, hydration pack and 49th-edition race shirt, visitors can join the queue to find their name on the wall listing all 60,000 participants. Then comes the chance to take a photo beneath the cardboard pink Champs-Élysées arch.

A must-visit for running enthusiasts

That is only the beginning of the expo’s long list of attractions. Former finishers such as Angélique and Adrien have come back to wander around this year. « We’re running enthusiasts, says the ultrarunner. We come to see the latest products. I’m a big Kiprun fan, so I like keeping up with the new models as they come out. » For his partner, also a road-running fan, the event is the perfect opportunity to try out different Shokz headphones. « I got to try on a pair because I wasn’t sure about the size. The advice I heard will make it easier to decide ». In short, the expo has everything they need. It even gives them a chance to « stock up on gels, especially since there are some good deals ».

For others, unable to run the Paris Marathon this year because of work commitments or scheduling issues, the expo is a way to stay connected to one of the year’s major events. One couple is even hoping to win a free bib for next year at the Schneider Electric stand, where a speed challenge involves pressing 20 switches that light up part of the course as quickly as possible and setting the fastest time. « We come every year, says Dorine with a smile. We take the time to try the activities and enter the competitions. » What they like about Run Experience is the entertainment. « There’s always the hope of winning a prize, adds Titouan.

There’s always the hope of winning a prize.
Titouan, a previous Paris Marathon finisher

More than 150 exhibitors

After passing the stage hosting a series of insightful talks with special guests such as Mekdes Woldu, Mélody Julien and Joséphine Bayle (@joggeuse on social media), there are still plenty of aisles to explore, lined with stands from all kinds of brands. This is no time to change your race-day fuelling strategy, even if there is nothing wrong with finding out about the latest products. « I had a chat with Maurten. Their gels are what I’ll be using during the marathon, and I’m not about to change now, but who knows for the future », says Robin with a smile. He has finished several marathons and is targeting 2:50. Still, it is hard to leave empty-handed. Kiana Papin, a newcomer to running who is taking part in the 5 km charity race Paris Run for All, bought a more breathable pair of running socks, for example. « I saw the posters in the street and I’m really impressed by the scale of the expo », she says.

Run Experience means three days fully immersed in the world of running. The talks tackle essential topics such as “mental health and sport” and “performance in women’s sport”, while also showcasing moving stories like that of Louis Derrien, who ran 130 km in 150 days to raise awareness of mental illness. More than 150 exhibitors offer visitors the chance to discover their products, while numerous spaces explore different aspects of running in greater depth. Asics, for example, can analyse runners’ gait in five minutes, while Schneider Electric lets visitors take a photo with their bib in front of a set resembling a golden room, or cover the greatest possible distance on a bike within a limited time.

Every April, it’s impossible to miss: this expo makes you fall just a little harder for running.