The Boulogne-Billancourt Half Marathon is celebrating its 29th edition this Sunday, November 15, 2026, in Boulogne-Billancourt, in the Hauts-de-Seine (92). This year, organizers expect 13,000 runners at the starting line, up by 1,000 from 2025.
We’ve been covering this event for years, and the pattern never changes: race numbers fly off the shelves, quickly and even more quickly. It’s no surprise—this 21.1-kilometer race in mid-November has a well-earned reputation among Francilian runners. With its flat, fast profile, it often serves as the last opportunity of the year to chase a personal best.
The official site touts its course as France’s fastest half-marathon. A promise that attracts both seasoned athletes and first-timers taking on their inaugural half-marathon.
The starting gun goes off on Avenue Victor-Hugo, right in the heart of the city. To keep the pack moving smoothly, organizers split runners into start corrals by target finish time, with a dedicated lane for elite athletes.
The first kilometers unfold as an urban loop along the banks of the Seine. You pass just a few steps from the Hôtel de Ville, La Seine Musicale on Île Seguin, and the Albert-Kahn Departmental Museum and its gardens. A scenic setting to find your rhythm.
The route then heads into the Bois de Boulogne for a second, greener loop that runs along Longchamp Racecourse. The runners finally return to the city to cross the finish line in front of the City Hall, the Art Deco building designed by Tony Garnier. It’s a course that feels a bit like a breath: the city at the start, the forest in the middle, the city again at the finish.
The course is certified by the French Athletics Federation and is open to para-athletes. Solid and liquid refreshments are provided every 5 km and at the finish. The organizers advise bringing a water bottle or flask to refill at the aid stations. The cut-off time is 3 hours.
Bad news for latecomers: the 2026 edition is already sold out. The 13,000 bibs have all been allocated. There is, however, a sliver of hope thanks to the official resale platform between runners. All you need to do is register there to pick up a bib released by an injured or unable participant.
To take part, you must be of legal age in the calendar year. Non-licensed participants must complete the Parcours Prévention Santé (PPS) offered by the FFA, which replaces the medical certificate. The règlement général outlines all the conditions.
The event is spearheaded by the Boulogne-Billancourt Athletic Club (ACBB) in partnership with the city, and it enjoys the backing of the Île-de-France Region, which highlights its eco-friendly and inclusive initiatives.
The bib collection takes place at the race village, set up at the Gymnase de la Biodiversité, on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, 2026. Note that no bib will be handed out on race day. It’s wise to lock in a time slot in your calendar now.
On race day, a drop-off point will be set up on Boulevard Jean-Jaurès to store your belongings in a bag no larger than 20 liters. All the details are laid out on the official site’s retrait des dossards page.
Last year, the 28th edition drew 12,000 participants, a new attendance record for the event. In the men's race, Félix Bour clinched victory in 1h03'29, just ahead of Lounes Benamara (1h03'33) and Clément Lhostellerie (1h03'46). In the women's race, Augustine Emeraux-Lombard won in 1h13'12 after a tight sprint with Émilie Jacquot-Claude (1h13'21) and Lorena Meningand (1h13'30). The results are available in the official recap of the 2025 edition.
The records for the event are still standing. Kenyan Franklin Chepkony holds the men’s best mark at 1h00'11, a record since 2013. On the women’s side, Ethiopian Rehima Tusa remains the benchmark with 1h08'28, set in 2017.
The easiest option is public transport. The Line 9 of the Metro serves Billancourt and Marcel Sembat stations, near the village and the starting area. Bus lines 42 and 389 stop at Place Jules-Guesde. For drivers, the Q-Park listed by the organizers is free on the day of the event.
On Sunday, November 15, 2026, traffic and parking will be banned from midnight to 4 p.m. on several arteries, including Rue de Sèvres, Boulevard Anatole-France, Quai Le Gallo, Rue Gallieni, Avenue André-Morizet, Avenue Victor-Hugo, and Boulevard Jean-Jaurès. If you live in the district or plan to drive through Boulogne that morning, expect a detour. The full list is available in the practical information section on the race site. According to the tourism office Paris je t'aime, the bib number was priced at 49 euros.
This half marathon is for runners who want to cap their season with a fast time, but not only. The flat course also reassures those training for their first 21 kilometers. And even without a bib, the atmosphere is worth the trip. With 13,000 spectators cheering along the quays or near the finish, on a Sunday morning in autumn, the energy is contagious. Just remember to dress warmly: mid-November can feel chilly along the Seine.
To stretch the day a little longer, the Sunday night-out guide and the 10 things to do in the 92 this weekend offer ideas a few strides from the finish line.
The Boulogne Half Marathon is one of the standout events in our guide to the marathons and half-marathons in Paris and Île-de-France in 2026. If you’re looking for a more festive race to close out the year, the Issy-les-Moulineaux Christmas Run is right next door, wearing a red Santa hat. Another option in Hauts-de-Seine, the Figaro Cross at the Domaine de Saint-Cloud combines several formats for Téléthon. All other events are gathered in our guide to running and jogging in 2026.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
Dates and Opening Time
On November 15, 2026
Location
Avenue Victor Hugo
92100 Boulogne Billancourt
Route planner
Prices
€44
Official website
www.semi-marathonbb.fr
