Valencia Marathon 2026 puts race bibs in a lottery

It is a major change of direction for one of Europe’s most sought-after running events. From 2026, the Valencia Marathon and Half Marathon will use a lottery to allocate race bibs. The decision is unprecedented in Spain, but follows the path set by the World Majors in London, Berlin and Tokyo. Luck will now play a part for the 35,000 runners hoping to take on the 42.195 km course and the 25,000 lining up for the shorter distance.

The reasons seem obvious: the running boom and the phenomenal success of Valencia’s races in recent years. Every year, the city attracts tens of thousands of runners, many of them from France, in search of a personal best. Valencia offers near-perfect conditions for fast times: ideal weather, a flat course, exceptional crowd support and flawless organisation… Within a few years, Valencia has established itself as a benchmark on the international marathon scene (31 men broke 2:10, including 10 under 2:05, in 2024). Race bibs used to disappear within minutes, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The result was that only the best-connected runners, and those free at the exact moment entries opened, could hope to secure a place. The organisers have therefore opted for a more level playing field.

How will it work?

The principle is straightforward: from the 2026 edition onwards, all runners will have to enter the lottery on the race website to have a chance of securing a coveted race bib. One account can register up to three people if you want to run with friends. However, each person may only register once, and any attempt to cheat, through multiple entries, fake accounts or otherwise, will result in outright disqualification.

The first 10,000 runners to register again will have access to the same low entry fees as in previous years:
➜ €40 for the Half Marathon
➜ €80 for the Marathon

Once that quota is reached, prices will rise gradually.

It is a major change of direction for one of Europe’s most sought-after running events. From 2026, the Valencia Marathon and Half Marathon will use a lottery to allocate race bibs. The decision is unprecedented in Spain, but follows the path set by the Majors in London, Berlin and Tokyo. Luck will now play a part for the 35,000 runners hoping to take part.

Regulars will still get priority

Good news for returning runners: anyone registered for the 2025 marathon or half marathon will get priority access to the following edition. They will have four days after the race to buy a race bib without entering the lottery, at a preferential price.

This is not entirely new. The race has offered returning participants a booking priority window for several years, giving the organisers a way to reward their loyalty and trust. Runners in the 2024 edition had seven days to reserve their place in the next race before entries opened to the general public. The response was huge. A total of 14,000 runners from the 2024 edition took up that option and will line up again at the start of the Valencia Marathon in 2025. That represents 38% of the field. Impressive figures that show how strongly marathoners are drawn to Valencia, with many returning to chase another personal best.

But this new system will not make everyone happy. Some runners had been hoping to take part in this iconic marathon for the first time, yet many will once again miss out. So what are the odds of being selected in Valencia? It is too early to say, but demand is likely to be intense. For comparison, the London and New York Marathon lotteries, for the two most popular marathons in the world, give applicants only a 5% chance of being selected. Interest in Valencia is expected to be just as huge: by the end of the first day of general entries for the 2025 edition, 70% of race bibs had already been snapped up.

Key dates

2026 Half Marathon: Priority access from October 30 to November 3, 2025
Lottery opens: November 4, 2025
2026 Marathon: Priority access from December 11 to 15, 2025
Lottery opens: December 16, 2025
To enter the lottery, €5 will be temporarily held on your bank card. Whether you are selected or not, the amount will then be refunded.

A fairer system… but a less certain one

Valencia is now joining the select group of major races where you no longer simply register: you submit an application. The change makes sense given the demand, but it could upend the routines of thousands of European runners, including many from France, who have made Valencia’s flat, lightning-fast course their main goal of the season.

For those who are not selected, two options will remain: raise funds through a charity programme or buy a race-bib package through official travel agencies and tour operators, at a much higher price.

The takeaway is clear: 2025 is the last edition accessible the old-fashioned way, without a lottery. Running Valencia this year means not only securing a fast course, but also gaining priority access for 2026. The race was already world-class; this selection system adds another layer of prestige. From now on, securing a Valencia race bib will feel almost like a privilege. La Ciudad Del Running is entering a new dimension, with a distinctly Major feel.

✔ Find all the information about the 2026 Valencia Marathon