Paris Marathon bans disposable cups—runners must bring their own in 2025
The Paris Marathon is making a major change to reduce waste. From 2025, runners will need to bring their own containers for fluids. The event, with over 55,000 participants, is the first big race to introduce this rule.
Other marathons have already tested reusable options. In 2018, Berlin handed out Speed Cups to 5,000 runners. Vienna followed in 2019, with 700 athletes using them.
Speed Cups are lightweight, collapsible containers made from TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). Each weighs just eight grams and can be bought for as little as six euros. Organisers recommend them as a practical solution. No data exists yet on how many Paris Marathon runners will bring their own containers. But the shift means no disposable cups or bottles will be provided along the route.
The new rule aims to cut waste during the race. Runners must now plan ahead by carrying their own hydration. The move could set a precedent for other large marathons in the future.
