The second “We Run Paris” running event has been cancelled. Paris Saint-Germain officially announced that the event scheduled for June 27 and 28 has been cancelled due to the ongoing heatwave in the Île-de-France region. The main reasons are the extreme weather conditions and the severe strain on emergency services in the region.
According to the organizers, the safety of all participants was always the top priority during the planning of the event. Although the organizers considered various ways to cope with the heat and ensure the event could go ahead as planned, including additional drinking water points, cooling stations with water mist, and enhanced medical care to mitigate the effects of the heat, the risks ultimately prevailed. Under the existing conditions, it was not possible to guarantee the safe staging of the event for the more than 15,000 expected runners, numerous volunteers, and spectators.
A sports-filled weekend was planned at the Parc des Princes. A children’s race was to take place on Saturday, followed by the main ten-kilometre race on Sunday. The event is one of the newer running races in the French capital and had already gained widespread popularity even in its second edition.
There is good news for registered participants. All registration fees will be refunded automatically and in full, with no need to submit a separate application or refund request. The organizers hope to reduce the administrative burden on participants in this way.
This cancellation is one of a series of decisions made by sporting events in response to extreme heat. The heatwave has lasted for several days and has had a major impact on most parts of France. When temperatures reach levels that threaten health, authorities and organizers review events with particular caution. Endurance sports in particular carry extremely high risks under such conditions, as overheating and circulatory problems can become life-threatening in a short period of time.
Although Paris Saint-Germain’s decision disappointed many running enthusiasts, it also demonstrates the importance of protecting participants. In the past, major sporting events often continued under difficult conditions, but as extreme weather events become more frequent, health concerns are being given greater priority. Therefore, the cancellation of “We Run Paris 2026” is considered a logical step, even though many runners had prepared for it for months.
Author: C.H.