Marathons in Spain

You have to say it comes at just the right time, because this country has a good number of à la carte races 📋. It’s a bit like a remake of when you’re in a typical Spanish tapas restaurant, with lots of choices, each more tempting than the last 🤤. With races in a big city, a qualifier, on an island, point-to-point, seaside… You quickly realize that choice is not what’s lacking 🤓. Spain means sun, heat, UV… And recently, a study highlighted that the ideal temperature for running would be between 2° and 10° 🌡️. So yes, it may be a bit rare to have those temperatures in Spain, we’ll give you that. But they’ve thought of everything, so to offset the temperatures, races are generally held in autumn, winter, or spring 💐. With this calendar, you won’t suffer from the heat and you’ll be able to smash your PB! ⏱️

We’ll start with the two most iconic races: the Barcelona Marathon and the Madrid Marathon 🏅. The "Clásico" better watch out. Both founded in 1978, it’s hard to separate these two running monuments, a bit like in football! ⚽️ To keep this great momentum going, other Spanish marathons stand out thanks to their specific features ✨. The Elche–Alicante International Marathon, with a race on the Costa Blanca, or the one in San Sebastián, being the second-oldest marathon in Spain—you’re running on a relic! 📖 Otherwise, the Lanzarote Marathon offers a fabulous setting, with extraordinary volcanic landscapes 🌋.

But THE trend in recent years is the Valencia Marathon. Thanks to its flat, fast, flowing course 🏎️, everything suggests the next world record could fall in Valencia ⏱️. And what’s more, the organizers are offering a €1 million bonus to the athlete who breaks the world record! 🤯 In terms of speed, the Seville Marathon is also well placed, with a course record of 2h 18min 52s by Alemu Megertu in 2022 for the women and 2h 03min 27s in 2024 by Deresa Geleta Ulfata for the men ⚡️.

Once again, the list is far from over, especially since the country is full of marathons, like those on the islands: with the Málaga Marathon, the Murcia Marathon, or the one in Ibiza (where you can even party 🥳)—paradise holidays are yours. Then again, a marathon isn’t the most accessible distance, so if you’re more into the half marathon, also check out our calendar of Half Marathons in Spain 😉.

Alright, we know running is great, but the post-race is just as important ‼️ And let’s be honest, in general, in Spain we like to chill, on a terrace or by the beach, under the Spanish sun 🇪🇸. Which, by the way, is pretty strong, so don’t forget your sunscreen. So once you’re there, either you end your weekend on the warm sand or with some urban sightseeing in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville… 🏙️ Or you enjoy the different regions such as: Andalusia, the Canary Islands, Catalonia—in short, nothing but dream destinations, once again 😍. One thing’s for sure: no matter where you are, you’ll have plenty to help you recharge 💪. The best would be to start with a good tortilla and empanadas, continue by eating a good paella 🥘 and finish with homemade churros. 

Runner, Spain is just waiting for you to become—or become again—a marathoner once more, in a setting that’s more than pleasant! 🏞️