The Madrid Marathon is in a league of its own. Often unfairly overshadowed in the media by faster Spanish races, it is nevertheless one of Europe’s biggest running events, attracting 47,000 participants. Runners come here for more than a fast time: they come for an unforgettable running experience. With the city’s remarkable architecture, 30 music groups spread along the route and a course that is as beautiful as it is demanding, Madrid has plenty of surprises in store. So what is this race through the Spanish capital’s finest avenues really like? Marathons.com takes a detailed look at each section of the course, guiding you through the heart of the Madrid experience, kilometre by kilometre.
Madrid, a Marathon with a capital M
The Madrid Marathon is more than a race. Organised by AD.MAPOMA, Spain’s leading name in major sporting events, it is part of the Zurich Rock 'n' Roll Running Series, a circuit of marathons and half marathons recognised on the international scene. Certified by World Athletics and recently welcomed into the prestigious European Marathon Classics, the race attracts a truly international field: every year, around 10,000 runners from more than 110 countries converge on the Spanish capital. The course never strays far from the beating heart of the city, with historic avenues and iconic landmarks transformed into one huge street party for the weekend. Running in Madrid also means becoming part of a story almost 50 years old. The first edition was held in 1978, and that longevity is no accident: in 2027, the race will celebrate its 49th anniversary. The course records reflect the quality of the elite field assembled here each year: 2:08:18 for Kenya’s Reuben Kerio (2019) and 2:24:37 for Ethiopia’s Siranesh Yirga (2022). Those times look even more impressive once you discover the race’s distinctly hilly profile, with around 400 m of elevation gain. But beyond the performance, marathon weekend in Madrid is above all a huge public celebration, where live music and the crowd’s passion turn the city into a European capital of running...
Race | Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid |
|---|---|
Distance | 42.195 km (half marathon also available: 21.097 km) |
25 April 2027 (last Sunday in April) |
Start
Paseo de la Castellana
Finish
Paseo de Recoletos / Paseo del Prado, near Cibeles
Elevation
700 m at the start and 628 m at the finish
Elevation gain
Around 400 m
Course record
2:08:18, Reuben Kerio (2019) and 2:24:37, Siranesh Yirga (2022)
Label
World Athletics Road Race + European Marathon Classics
Organiser
AD.MAPOMA