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The Paris Waiter Race, in which wait staff speed through the city while carrying hot drinks and croissants, has returned to Paris for the first time since 2011.
The Course Des Café or Coffee Waiters’ Race began over a hundred years ago in 1914 and saw almost 300 Parisian waiters, dressed in their work clothes, run 1.2 miles to and from the French capital’s riverside town hall Sign.
Contestants must only carry the tray, which includes a classic French breakfast consisting of coffee, a croissant and a glass of water, with one hand and not a single drop must be spilled. Judges were present at the end of the race to check the trays for spills.
The men’s winner was Samy Lamrous, who covered the route at a fast pace of 13 minutes and 30 seconds. While the female winner Pauline Van Wymeersch finished with a time of 14 minutes and 12 seconds.
Both winners received a medal from the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and will also receive a complimentary night in a luxury hotel.
A waiter participating in the Course Des Café or Cafe Waiters’ Race. The first race began more than a hundred years ago, in 1914, and in it almost 300 Parisian waiters, dressed in their work clothes, travel 1.2 miles to and from the city hall of the French capital on the banks of the Seine River.
A group of contestants at the starting line. The male winner was Samy Lamrous who covered the route in just 13 minutes and 30 seconds while the female winner Pauline Van Wymeersch finished with a time of 14 minutes and 12 seconds.
Waiters leave the starting line at the Hôtel de Ville, Paris’s city hall. The deputy mayor of Paris, responsible for business, told France 24 that the race was originally started to “highlight this French style of service, these establishments envied around the world, this Parisian lifestyle.”
Eau de Paris, the Paris municipal water authority and sponsor of the event, wrote on X: ‘This Sunday, nearly 300 waitresses and waiters took on an original challenge in the heart of Paris and revived a legendary event! Here are the medal-winning athletes. Congratulations to all!’
Waiter races were a popular spectacle in the early 20th century and races were also held in London and Berlin, but the first race took place in Paris in 1914.
The race stopped after 2011 due to lack of a sponsor, but similar races have since been held in French towns and cities, such as Marseille.
Nicolas Bonnet-Olulaldj, deputy mayor of Paris responsible for business, said France 24 that the race was originally started to “highlight this French style of service, these establishments that are envied around the world, this Parisian lifestyle.”
Bonnet-Olulaldj also said he wanted the upcoming Paris Olympics to give “a positive boost to the profession” of restaurants and waiters.
The winners of the race received a medal from the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and will also receive a complimentary night in a luxury hotel.
Contestants must only carry the tray, which includes a classic French breakfast consisting of coffee, a croissant and a glass of water, with one hand and not a single drop must be spilled. Judges were present at the end of the race to check the trays for spills.
The race in Paris stopped after 2011 due to the lack of a sponsor, but similar races have since been held in French towns and cities, such as Marseille.
Paris is currently preparing to host the Summer Olympics. In February it was announced that medal winners would be rewarded with a small piece of the Eiffel Tower inside their medals.
A hexagonal piece of iron taken from the Eiffel Tower has been embedded in each gold, silver and bronze medal, and Thierry Reboul, creative director of Paris 2024, has explained the thinking behind the design.
Mr Reubol said: “It is the opportunity for athletes to take a piece of Paris with them.”
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will begin on Friday, July 26.