Run, campaign, have fun
Organised by the Front Runners de Paris, an LGBTQ running association in the Paris region, the Valentine's Day Race has been an emblematic event in the life of the 19th arrondissement since the year 2000.
It takes place in Buttes-Chaumont, a 25-hectare park located opposite Mairie du 19e arrondissement. This park, inaugurated in 1867 and designed by the engineer Alphonse Almand on the site of the old gypsum quarries, is well known to Parisians for its English style, its temple of the Sibyl, or its lake.
The Valentine's Day Race is above all an activist event which aims to raise public awareness of all forms of discrimination and in particular those linked to sexual orientation and gender identity. The first couples race to have been organised in the capital, the 5 km duo course is open to mixed and non-binary couples, thus working to promote the visibility of LGBTQ people in a spirit of tolerance and conviviality.
When registering, you will declare the gender you identify with: woman, man or non-binary. We particularly want to ensure that transgender people feel welcome at the event.Â
A sporting event, the Valentine's Day Race also aims to show that running is a fun sport accessible to everyone. The race is certified by the Commission DĂ©partementale Running de la FFA. Timing is carried out by Course Organisation.
Organised on the Saturday closest to Valentine's Day, this festive event celebrates the day of all lovers. It offers the opportunity to discover the park in love and good humour.
The route
On a 2.5 km loop, measured by the Fédération Française d’Athlétisme (FFA), the race takes place in the paths of the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Runners can choose between two events:
– A 5 km duo: couples run together from the start line to the finish line, over two 2.5 km loops.
– A solo 10 km, made up of 4 loops of 2.5 km.
Entertainment
The Valentine's Day Race is notable for its famous Operation Cupid. The principle is simple: do you want to run the 5 km as a duo and don’t have a partner? We will take care of finding one for you on race day. So there is no longer any need to hesitate!
Another key element of the race: the famous Pom Poms of the Front Runners de Paris, colourful, which will encourage you throughout your race. You will find them at the start of the race, at the end of each loop, and at the finish!
Photographic coverage of the Valentine's Day Race is provided by amateur photographers and members of the Front Runners de Paris.
From San Sebastian to Valentine's Day
Before the Valentine's Day Race, there was… the Saint Sebastian's Day race!
When in January 1996 the Centre Gay et Lesbien, then located on rue Keller, organised “The crazy week from Saint-Sébastien to Sainte-Angèle”, the Front Runners de Paris decided to organize a race in honor of Saint Sébastien. Indeed, often represented young, handsome and almost naked, the Saint is known for his homoerotic connotations.
The first edition of the Saint-SĂ©bastien race therefore took place on Saturday January 20, 1996 at the Bois de Vincennes, and offered two courses of 5 km and 10 km. Renewed every year since then, the Christmas storm in 1999 forced the race to move to the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. On this occasion it becomes the Valentine's Day Race with courses of 6 km duo, and 4 km and 8 km solo.