While (most) Americans were sleeping, the marathon was taking place in Paris on the final day of the 2024 Olympics. Runners made their way across the City of Lights as they traversed 26.2 miles past some of the most iconic backdrops. Ethiopian Sifan Hassan finished first, setting a new Olympic Record with a time of 2:22.55. Hassan completed an incredible trifecta at this year’s Olympics, earning bronze medals in the 10k and 5k to go with her marathon gold.
Marathoners passed historic locations like the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde and more. Here are some of the best scenic shots from the morning run.
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PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 11: Athletes compete during the Women’s Marathon on day sixteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Esplanade Des Invalides on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776138414 ORIG FILE ID: 2166273570
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PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 11: Athletes compete during the Women’s Marathon on day sixteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Esplanade Des Invalides on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Song Yanhua – Pool/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776138414 ORIG FILE ID: 2165785192
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TOPSHOT – Athletes run past Pyramide du Louvre, designed by Chinese-US architect Ieoh Ming Pei, as they compete in the women’s marathon of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on August 11, 2024. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: 2165779136
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TOPSHOT – (From L) Canada’s Malindi Elmore, New Zealand’s Camille French, Australia’s Genevieve Gregson, Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter and Kenya’s Hellen Obiri run past Eiffel Tower, as they compete in the women’s marathon of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on August 11, 2024. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: 2165778933
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Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter (C) runs ahead of other athletes in the women’s marathon of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on August 11, 2024, as Versailles Castle is seen in the background. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: 2165783766
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TOPSHOT – (From L) Netherlands’ gold medallist Sifan Hassan, Ethiopia’s silver medallist Tigst Assefa, Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi and Kenya’s bronze medallist Hellen Obiri react after crossing the finish in the women’s marathon of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at The Invalides in Paris on August 11, 2024. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: 2165785426
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![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2024/08/GTY_2166275994.jpg?w=688&h=484)
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 11: Athletes compete past Eiffel Tower during the Women’s Marathon on day sixteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Esplanade Des Invalides on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776138414 ORIG FILE ID: 2166275994
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PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 11: Athletes compete during the Women’s Marathon on day sixteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Esplanade Des Invalides on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776138414 ORIG FILE ID: 2166273716
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![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2024/08/AFP_2165784109.jpg?w=600&h=400)
US’ Dakotah Lindwurm (L) and the rest of athletes run past Versailles Castle as they compete in the women’s marathon of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on August 11, 2024. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: 2165784109
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![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2024/08/AFP_2165778933.jpg?w=600&h=400)
TOPSHOT – (From L) Canada’s Malindi Elmore, New Zealand’s Camille French, Australia’s Genevieve Gregson, Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter and Kenya’s Hellen Obiri run past Eiffel Tower, as they compete in the women’s marathon of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on August 11, 2024. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: 2165778933
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Netherlands’ gold medallist Sifan Hassan celebrates after crossing the finish in first place in the women’s marathon of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at The Invalides in Paris on August 11, 2024. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: 2165785199