Organization of a running or walking on the public road
Verified 23 February 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Do you want to know the essential steps for the proper running of a sports event such as running or walking on the public road? You want to know, in particular, whether you are subject to a declaration or prior authorization, and whether you have to subscribe to an insurance contract? We'll give you the information you need.
A running or walking that takes place in whole or in part on the public highway is subject to declaration if it meets one of the following 2 conditions:
- The event consists of events, races or timed competitions giving rise to a classification
- The event does not consist of timed tests and groups more than 100 participants
Warning
The rules are different if it's a public bicycle race.
Timed
Step-by-step approach
The organization of a run or a walk taking place in whole or in part on a public road is subject to the opinion of the delegated sports federation, and this before the lodging of the declaration file.
The federation shall issue a reasoned opinion on the planned event in the light of technical and safety regulations within one month of receipt of the request.
The notice shall be sent to the organizer (e.g. by post, by electronic means) and, in the event of an unfavorable opinion, to the mayor or prefect.
In the absence of a reply within 1 month, the Federation's opinion shall be considered as favorable.
The declaration must be made to the following administrative authority(ies):
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The event takes place in France
The event takes place in a single municipality
The declaration must be made with the mayor.
In Paris, the declaration must be made with the police prefect.
Who shall I contact
The event takes place in several communes of the same department
The declaration must be made with the prefect.
The event takes place in 2 to 19 departments
The declaration must be made with the prefect of each department crossed.
The event takes place in 20 or more departments
The declaration must be made with the prefect of each department crossed and Ministry of the Interior.
The protest is from the foreigner
The event takes place in a single department in France
The declaration must be made with the prefect of the department of entry to France.
The event takes place in 2 to 19 departments
The declaration must be made with the prefect of the department of entry to France and the prefect of each department crossed.
The event takes place in 20 or more departments
The declaration must be made with the prefect of the department of entry to France, the prefect of each department crossed and Ministry of the Interior.
The reporting process varies by department.
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General case
This is done using the following form:
Alpes de Haute-Provence (04)
The process is carried out online :
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Isère (38)
The process is done online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Loire (42)
The process is done online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Martinique (972)
The process is done online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Yvelines (78)
The process is done online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Once the declaration file has been received, the prefect submits for opinion the local authorities which have the power of traffic police (mayor or county council president). It may also refer the matter to the Departmental Road Safety Committee for its opinion.
The mayor or prefect may order additional measures to those planned by the organizer to ensure the safety of road users, participants and spectators, to ensure satisfactory traffic conditions.
Please note:
If a security service is set up to ensure the safety of spectators and traffic during the event and its preparation, the organizer bear the financial burden.
The organizer must also rehabilitate the public roads and their outbuildings following the demonstration.
The organizer of the sporting event must provide proof that he has signed a contract with an insurer (insurance policy) guaranteeing its civil liability, the persons involved in the organization and the participants.
Over 100 participants
Step-by-step approach
The declaration must be made to the following administrative authority(ies):
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
The event takes place in France
The event takes place in a single municipality
The declaration must be made with the mayor.
In Paris, the declaration must be made with the police prefect.
Who shall I contact
The event takes place in several communes of the same department
The declaration must be made with the prefect.
The event takes place in 2 to 19 departments
The declaration must be made with the prefect of each department crossed.
The event takes place in 20 or more departments
The declaration must be made with the prefect of each department crossed and Ministry of the Interior.
The protest is from the foreigner
The event takes place in a single department in France
The declaration must be made with the prefect of the department of entry to France.
The event takes place in 2 to 19 departments
The declaration must be made with the prefect of the department of entry to France and the prefect of each department crossed.
The event takes place in 20 or more departments
The declaration must be made with the prefect of the department of entry to France, the prefect of each department crossed and Ministry of the Interior.
The method of reporting varies by department.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Alpes de Haute-Provence (04)
The process is done online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Isère (38)
The process is done online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Loire (42)
The process is done online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Martinique (972)
The process is done online:
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be done by mail using the form.
Yvelines (78)
The process is done online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
If a security service is set up to ensure the safety of spectators and traffic during the event and its preparation, the organizer bear the financial burden.
The organizer must also rehabilitate the public roads and their outbuildings following the demonstration.
The organizer of the sporting event must provide proof that he has signed a contract with an insurer (insurance policy) guaranteeing its civil liability, the persons involved in the organization and the participants.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
For information on technical and safety rules for sporting events
Regional Academic Delegation - Youth, Engagement and Sports
Non-motorized sports events: general provisions
Non-motorized sporting events: reporting obligation
Non-motorized sporting events: issue of authorization
Non-motorized sporting events: provisions common to events subject to declaration or authorization
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Paris Police Department