Thrilling information for race fans and informal runners alike! The Paris Marathon medical certificates requirement has modified, and it’s now simpler than ever to take part. Due to a brand new system, you not have to problem with getting a physician’s word, which may include an additional price. As a substitute, the paper medical certificates has been changed by the Parcours Prévention Santé (PPS) course, additionally recognized in English because the “Well being Prevention Pathway (HPP)”—a fast, free, and easy solution to prepare in your race.
This new PPS system opens up a world of prospects. You may not be inclined to run the Paris Marathon; nevertheless, there are different enjoyable, shorter races you might compete in once you trip in France. I just lately tried out the PPS course for my software to La Parisienne, a women-only race that takes place in Paris this October, and it made the method a breeze!
1. Paris Marathon Medical Certificates: Transition to PPS
For years the organizers of the Paris Marathon, Semi-marathon de Paris, and different French races have required the participant to submit a medical certificates—-a physician’s word stating that the individual is in good well being and may compete within the race. To my data, solely France and Italy require this.
Sadly, there’s usually a value to get this medical certificates. For the Pegasus Semi-Marathon that I did in Normandy in 2023, my physician charged me $50 for that medical word. The excellent news is that an increasing number of races are requiring a distinct kind of medical certificates.
The PPS shall be regularly phased in for all races. You’ll simply have to offer the race along with your PPS attestation (verification) as a substitute of the standard medical certificates. Of the races I’ve accomplished or entered, these are those that now settle for the Parcours Prévention Santé (PPS):
- Marathon de Paris*
- Semi-Marathon de Paris*
- Marathon de la Liberté*
- La Grande Classique Paris-Versailles**
- La Parisienne**
*These races will ONLY settle for a PPS course completion.
**These races will settle for both the normal (paper) medical certificates or the PPS.
I really like to participate in races in France. With this new PPS system changing the medical certificates, maybe it’ll make it simpler so that you can contemplate working in one of many races I’ve completed? Take a look at my put up the place I talk about what it was prefer to run in races such because the Paris Marathon, Semi-marathon de Paris, 20km de Paris, and the Marathon du Medoc (wine at each water station!).
Right here’s a hyperlink to the put up: Marathons And Races I’ve Performed In France
2. Understanding the New Parcours Prévention Santé (PPS)
(a) The New Well being Prevention Pathway (HPP)
In an effort to make participation in sports activities extra accessible, the French Athletic Affiliation (FFA) instituted the Parcours Prévention Santé (PPS) course initially for FFA licensees. It’s now open to peculiar runners such as you and me, who need to take part in working competitions in France.
The course requires the participant to learn some brief articles and watch 4 movies. The articles are in English and French and the movies are in French with English subtitles. The matters are fascinating and lined:
- Warning indicators throughout train (ie. chest pains, palpitations, sudden lack of consciousness, shortness of breath)
- Cardiovascular dangers and signs of coronary heart illness
- When to see a physician when you have sure conditions
- Different threat components (Ie. household historical past of coronary heart illness, ingesting, smoking, and many others.)
- Precautions and proposals (ie. coaching, ingesting numerous fluids in the course of the race, and many others).
After finishing the course, you might be requested to certify that you just perceive the knowledge and warnings introduced all through.
PPS Web site: https://pps.athle.fr/
Disclaimer: I’m not a medical skilled and this put up is for informational functions solely. I’m sharing what I discovered from the PPS course, however I’m not offering medical recommendation. Earlier than contemplating participation in any race, please seek the advice of along with your physician or a certified healthcare skilled to find out whether it is applicable for you. For extra particulars, please consult with my Phrases and Situations/Disclaimer.
(b) How The PPS Replaces The Conventional Medical Certificates
1. No Physician Wanted
With the normal medical certificates:
- one has to go to the physician to get the official physician’s word.
- the doc should be dated lower than one yr earlier than the date of the race.
- The certificates will need to have wording about “contraindications” and “competitions” included within the kind. ({photograph} of a clean kind is proven above). For instance:
“no contraindication to the apply of “working” or “sport” or “athletics” in competitors” or “no contraindications for taking part in working competitions”.
[“Ne met pas en évidence de contre-indication à la pratique de la course à pied en compétition.”]
2. The PPS is totally different.
- There isn’t a want to go to your physician.
- You simply want to finish the PPS course.
- Being in good well being is the requirement to compete in a race and it will be silly and harmful to lie on the finish of the course. You’d be risking your life.
3. Validity Interval Differs
The standard medical certificates is legitimate for a yr and I usually used the identical word for a number of totally different races by means of the yr. The validity interval for the PPS is far shorter—the PPS is just legitimate for 3 months.
- If you signal into the PPS system, you point out the date of your race.
- You can’t even full the course in case your race is past 3 months.
- Which means if you wish to do one other race later within the yr, you’ll have to do the PPS course once more.
4. Submitting Well being Data To The Race Organizers
Up to now, after getting the medical certificates I might obtain it to the race group. This step continues to be required; nevertheless, as a substitute of a paper medical certificates, the participant is distributed an e mail with the PPS quantity and the flexibility to obtain the certificates. To finalize the registration for the race, it’s important to submit the PPS quantity or the certificates, relying on the race group’s necessities.
3. My Expertise With The PPS for La Parisienne
Though I had registered to enter the La Parisienne race on April 23, I used to be going to attend till September to go to my physician to get my medical certificates. In mid-July, I noticed on the race group’s Fb web page that they have been now accepting the PPS. I did the PPS course (throughout the 3 month time interval earlier than the race) and submitted my outcomes the identical day to the race group. I heard again 3 weeks later.
July 23: Accomplished the PPS course and was instantly despatched an e mail confirming:
-successful completion
-my PPS quantity and certificates
July 23: Submitted my PPS quantity to the La Parisienne race group.
-the standing of my “Justification médical” (medical documentation) was “in progress”.
August 14: La Parisienne confirmed that my PPS was “Validé” (validated).
3. Remaining Ideas On Getting into Races In France
I used to be thrilled to have the ability to use the brand new PPS course relatively than submit a paper medical certificates that might price me $50. The course was simple to comply with and really clear. I used to be happy that the documentation was despatched to me instantly so I might present the race group straight away with my PPS quantity.
I can see extra race organizations—not simply working races, but additionally bicycling races— utilizing the PPS course both along side the normal paper medical certificates or completely. Will probably be simpler for everybody—-with much less onus on our medical professionals who can use their valuable time treating sufferers relatively than filling out medical certificates for runners.
Have you ever used the PPS system? How did you discover the method?
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