The HOKA Paris Centre 10K keeps getting better

With its new start on Rue de Rivoli, the HOKA Paris Centre 10K continues to draw elite athletes and amateur runners chasing a fast time. This Sunday, more than 16,000 participants brought the streets of central Paris to life once again.

The HOKA Paris Centre 10K has moved up a gear: entries rose from 12,000 in 2024 to 16,000 participants this year. The decision to move the start to Rue de Rivoli, rather than keeping it near Avenue de l’Opéra where the finish is still located, has played its part. The new layout makes it possible to welcome more runners and has helped drive the event’s success. “It brought something fresh. Before, the two flows crossed near Avenue de l’Opéra. By moving the start, we can focus on setting up the finish area, and runners get away in better conditions. Most importantly, it allowed us to expand the finish area,” explains Johan Mallevre, event technical manager at Illuminescences, who was involved in the logistics. Léopold De Vaucleroy, director of Golazo, confirms that the 10K “draws a huge crowd into a very limited space, right in the heart of Paris.” That made a rethink of the event logistics essential to keep everything running smoothly.

The HOKA Paris Centre 10K keeps getting better

A packed programme built around the race

The 10K was naturally the weekend’s headline event, part of a three-day celebration of the HOKA brand, which staged the race alongside Golazo, the event company behind numerous Paris races. From 14 to 16 November, the village in Place du Palais-Royal welcomed a curious crowd keen to soak up the race atmosphere. Enzo, a finisher in the race, recalls: “The day before, I went to the village to pick up my bib and T-shirt. I also stopped by the store. The vibe was really good and it got me in the mood for race day!”

More than a hundred lucky participants got the chance to join HOKA athletes for an early Saturday morning run, including a free shoe trial, a post-run snack and even an exclusive T-shirt. It was a good way to get an activation run in before the big day. A yoga session with Marion Mada at the Rotonde de la Galerie Colbert also offered runners a chance to unwind between 10:00 and 11:30 in a space specially set up to keep the weekend going after the run. A few other surprises rounded out the participants’ build-up.

At the HOKA Bistrot at 6 Rue des Petits-Champs, selected runners could enjoy pastries, including éclairs decorated with the HOKA logo, as well as a massage, a haircut or a special manicure. Those touches set the event apart and helped make it one of a kind. It is no surprise that the race was already sold out by 30 September. The yellow and pink T-shirts, a departure from the previous pink and blue designs, were a major hit with participants.

“It’s one of the best 10Ks out there. The course is exceptional”

The staggered start went off without a hitch thanks to seven corrals, including Elite and Para divisions, spread throughout the morning. The first runners left their corral on Rue des Pyramides at 9:00, while the final wave started at 10:35 from Rue de l’Oratoire. “I expected more people and a tighter start, but the corrals were very well organised. There was a bit of pushing, but once we got going, it was great!” says Tom, an experienced runner. Cheer zones backed the field all along the course, particularly at 7K, where the support helped runners who were beginning to fade or lose their pace, with just three kilometres to go.

The regal course proved a huge draw. From Rue de Rivoli to Place de la Concorde, then Place de la Madeleine, runners head along Boulevards Malesherbes and Haussmann before zigzagging through Rue des Capucines and neighbouring streets in the 2nd arrondissement. The route passes the Opéra at 5K, a landmark worth taking in for those with the time or energy, then continues along Boulevard des Italiens, Rue Réaumur and Rue Étienne-Marcel, near the lively Châtelet district. After crossing Place des Victoires, runners return via Rue du 4 Septembre and Avenue de l’Opéra for a royal finish.

Mathieu, who came with his brother Thomas, had nothing but praise for the course: “It’s one of the best 10Ks out there. The course is exceptional.” Elise, preparing for the Valencia Marathon, folded the 10K into a 30-kilometre training day: “The course is completely flat. I started in the first wave, and there were always runners to pass or catch. I loved it.”

An atmosphere that reaches far beyond France

The spectacular route and triumphant finish are not the only reasons this race has earned its reputation. Despite the grey morning, it was the supporters’ flashes of energy that really stood out. Tom explains: “There were loads of spectators at several points on the course, confetti, and zones packed with people shouting! It was brilliant. The spectators were in exactly the right places, just when you were starting to struggle. The music by the roundabout helped too.” With a time of 35:10, he was beaming. “I’m really happy. My goal was to break 36 minutes, but I owe that to the crowd cheering me on,” he jokes.

Alice, holding a sign while supporting her husband, agrees: “I don’t run, but being part of the atmosphere makes me want to run after them too!” Léonardo, who travelled from Italy especially for the race, wanted to throw himself fully into the Paris experience: “I didn’t have any particular goal. I just wanted to push myself and suffer a little. At the end, I felt like throwing up, but those are the moments that make you realise you’ve achieved something big and can be proud of yourself.”

This race delivers maximum enjoyment, the result of meticulous preparation behind the scenes, as Johan Mallevre, the event manager for the past six years, explains: “Behind the scenes, it means getting up very early to set everything up, from 2 a.m. The whole week is devoted to preparation: the village for bib collection, the overall organisation... You have to anticipate every problem that could arise during the operation. There are always a few internal incidents, but nothing we can’t handle.” The HOKA Paris Centre 10K only comes around once a year, unfortunately. See you in 2026 for another chance to experience this phenomenal race.

✔ Find all the HOKA Paris Centre 10K results