Polaroid 01
Lassay-les-Châteaux, 2019
Polaroid 02
St. Martin des Pres, 2015
Polaroid 03
Loudeac, 2023

Paris

Brest

Paris 
Randonneur

Paris-Brest-Paris Randonneur is the oldest and most popular long-distance cycling event in the world. The first edition was held in 1891, and since 1931 it has been a non-competitive sporting event open to all. It takes place every four years.

Paris-Brest-Paris 2027 – Qualifying from the UK

Paris-Brest-Paris Randonneur (PBP) is the world's oldest long-distance cycling event, first held in 1891 and run every four years by Audax Club Parisien (ACP). The 21st edition takes place in August 2027, covering over 1,200 km from Paris to Brest and back. It is not a race — it is a randonnée, ridden at your own pace within set time limits. Participation is capped at 8,000 riders.

What you need to qualify

Every rider must complete a Super Randonneur (SR) series of Brevets Randonneurs Mondiaux (BRM) before PBP. That means finishing validated BRM events at each of these minimum distances:

  • 200 km
  • 300 km
  • 400 km
  • 600 km

A longer BRM can substitute for a shorter one (for example, a 400 km ride can replace a 300 km), but you must complete four BRMs at those minimum distances.

UK qualifying calendar (Audax UK)

In the UK, qualifying BRM events are organised through Audax UK (AUK). Events that count toward PBP qualification will be clearly marked BRM[PBP] in the AUK calendar.

AUK is scheduling qualifying rides in a progressive sequence to help riders build fitness sensibly. The recommended windows are:

DistanceRecommended window
200 km2 January – 25 April 2027
300 km13 March – 23 May 2027
400 km10 April – 13 June 2027
600 km8 May – 27 June 2027

Rides may be completed out of sequence, and some BRM qualifying events will be available outside these windows for flexibility. AUK is also working to ensure shorter-distance BRM events remain available later in the qualifying period.

Early pre-registration via a 2026 BRM

Although the mandatory SR series must be completed in 2027, riding a BRM in 2026 earns you earlier access to ACP's pre-registration — and the longer your 2026 BRM, the earlier you can pre-register and choose your preferred starting wave.

Longest BRM in 2026Pre-registration opens
1,000 km (or RM 1,200+)16 January 2027
600 km30 January 2027
400 km13 February 2027
300 km27 February 2027
200 km13 March 2027
No BRM in 202627 March 2027

Pre-registration costs €50 (non-refundable, applied toward final registration). Wave reservations made during pre-registration hold until 12 June 2027 — after that date they are released if not converted to a final registration.

Tip for UK riders: AUK confirms that a BRM ride of over 200 km completed in the current (2026) season counts toward earlier PBP pre-registration, but you will still need to complete the full SR series in 2027.
PBP Route 2027

Starting waves

Departures are in waves from Sunday 22 August (afternoon) to Monday 23 August (morning). Time limits depend on your wave:

DepartureWhoTime limit
Sunday 4:00–4:45 pmSolo bikes80 hours
Sunday 5:00 pmTandems, triplets & special bikes90 hours
Sunday 5:15 pmWomen (optional women-only wave)90 hours
Sunday 5:45–9:15 pmSolo bikes90 hours
Monday 5:00–5:45 amSolo bikes84 hours
Monday 6:00 amAll bikes84 hours
Note on places: Of the 8,000 spots, 2,500 are reserved for French participants until 31 March 2027. Unreserved French slots are then opened to all nationalities. The UK sends one of the largest non-French contingents, so securing a 2026 BRM and pre-registering early is well worth considering.

Key links