Public take part in marathon on Paris street

Running fans say they are overjoyed to be able to run in the same streets as their Olympic idols right in the middle of Paris.

For the first time, some 20,000 amateurs were able to run on the same route as marathon athletes on the penultimate day of the Olympic Games.

The Mass Participation Marathon will follow the same route as the Olympic marathon for Paris 2024. The marathon sets off at the French capital's city hall and finishes at Esplanade des Invalides via Versaille, passing through landmarks such as the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower, which will set out at 9 pm, Aug. 10 (local time).

The aim of the marathon format is to allow members of the public to push their limits and be part of an exceptional moment in which they will follow in the footsteps of Olympic athletes.

Timothy came all the way from Hong Kong for a once in a lifetime experience.

"Because it's the Olympic Games. I think in a lifetime you cannot join. It shows that everyone can try to run on the same road, no matter if you are an elite runner or you are just a normal person," he said.

The 42km route pays tribute to a key event of the French Revolution - the women's march on Versailles in 1789.

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