We are running the Paris marathon next month, and trying to sort out a few details.

Race start is at the "top of the Champs Élysées" .... Is the "top" referring to end at the Arc de Triumph - or the other end of CE?

Also wondered about Metro instructions, getting from where we are staying (rue de Ecole de Medecine) to the start line of the marathon.

Thanks for the help.

Based on what I found on the official marathon site, the race starts a few blocks southeast of the Arc de Triomphe. The closest Metro station would be George V (just east of the starting point).

I'm guessing that Odeon is the closest Metro station to your hotel. If I'm right, then take Metro line 4 (direction Porte de Clignancourt) from Odeon to Chatelet. Transfer to Metro line 1 (direction La Defense) and take it to George V.

The top would be near the Arc because the Champs-Elysees is an incline or slight hill, actually, and that's the highest point (it is Chaillot hill). You can tell this when you look at some of those photos of the Tour de France, etc. They often start things at the Arc, like the Bastille Day military parade. The Tour de France ends there, though, although they race up and down the avenue quite a few times, and then have the ceremony down at the "bottom" area near the place de la Concorde.

Adding to my previous post. Go to www.ratp.fr to download and print a Metro/RER map for central Paris. There is a journey planner on that site also.

http://www.parismarathon.com/

the route map is found on the website...

see the D (depart) and the A (arrive) on the route...