© maratón adidas, RIMAC | Lima 42K
How to Register for the Lima Marathon?
The Marathon adidas RÍMAC Lima 42K is one of Latin America’s premier running events and the largest marathon in Peru. Every May, the Peruvian capital transforms into a playground for tens of thousands of runners taking on the iconic streets of the Miraflores district. A benchmark for race organization, the event holds the prestigious World Athletics Elite label — a recognition that places Lima among the world’s great marathons. With a start in the heart of Parque Kennedy and an AIMS-certified course, the race attracts both international elites and amateur runners chasing a personal best, a medal, or simply an unforgettable running experience in the streets of Lima. But before you show up at the start line, you’ll need to secure your bib.
✓ Comment s’inscrire au Marathon de Lima ? Voici toutes les informations qu’il faut savoir.
| A demanding urban course
The Marathon adidas RÍMAC Lima 42K typically takes place at the end of May. In 2026, the race was held on May 24. Two distances are on the program: a half marathon and a full marathon that share almost identical routes. Both distances start on Avenida Larco, in the heart of Miraflores, one of Lima’s most vibrant neighborhoods. The marathon follows a double loop heading north through the city, running along the capital’s main avenues before returning to the finish on Avenida Larco. The half marathon follows a similar route but finishes on Avenida Diagonal. The course profile is far from flat: the route features two long climbs followed by two long descents. With over 220 meters of elevation gain, this is a particularly demanding race on the legs. Lima’s heat and humidity in May add another layer of difficulty — which is the main reason the race starts at 5:30 AM.
| Two distances on the program
The Lima Marathon offers two race formats:
✔ Half marathon (21.098 km) — open to runners aged 18 and over
✔ Marathon (42.195 km) — open to runners aged 18 and over, with a 6-hour time limit
An inclusive program called “Todos Corremos Lima 42K” is also available for runners with disabilities, with a dedicated category and start wave.
| How to register
Registration is exclusively online:
➜ Visit the official race website
➜ Select your preferred distance (21K or 42K)
➜ Fill in your personal details
➜ Complete payment online via the Eventrid platform
Registration is personal and non-transferable. A bib change is possible within the deadlines communicated by the organizers, subject to an additional fee. Downgrading from the 42K to the 21K is also permitted under the same conditions, including at bib pickup — but upgrading in the other direction is not allowed.
| When should you register?
Act fast — demand is high and registration closes relatively early. In 2026, the organization announced registration had closed in January 2026, well ahead of the official March 31 deadline. That’s a clear signal: the Lima 42K is in high demand, and the trend is only accelerating as running continues to grow in popularity globally — and as the race gains increasing international visibility.
For future editions, the best advice is to follow the official event account from autumn onward. The first exclusive pre-sale for the 2026 edition launched on September 19, 2025 — more than eight months before race day. Following the race’s Instagram account and subscribing to the official newsletter are the two essential habits to stay ahead of registration openings.
| Bib pickup at ExpoMaratón
Bibs must be collected in person at the ExpoMaratón in the days before the race. The Expo is typically held at VIDENA, Lima’s national sports complex. As with most major races, no bibs are distributed on race day.
To collect your bib, bring a valid ID and your registration confirmation QR code. If you are unable to attend in person, someone else can pick up your bib on your behalf, provided they bring a signed authorization letter, a copy of your ID, and their own valid ID.
| Race day
Running the Lima Marathon means being up very early. All waves start from 5:30 AM on Avenida Larco in Miraflores. Each wave has its own designated start point and time. Make sure to wear the wristband received at the Expo to access the start area. Arriving at least 90 minutes before your start time is strongly recommended to allow time to prepare and drop off your belongings at the baggage check on Avenida Ricardo Palma, open from 3:30 to 5:10 AM.
Start wave schedule:
➜ Ola La Paz – Diez Canseco: 5:35 AM
➜ Ola La Paz – Schell: 5:39 AM
➜ Ola Diagonal – Schell: 5:48 AM
➜ Ola Alcanfores – Tarata: 5:55 AM
➜ Ola Benavides – Larco: 5:59 AM
After 6:09 AM, access to the start area closes.
Key info – Lima Marathon
- Date: May 24, 2026
- Distances: 21K, 42K
- Marathon start: 5:30 AM, Parque Kennedy
- Elevation gain: 220m for the marathon
- Finish: Parque Kennedy
- Time limit: 6 hours for the marathon
- Minimum age: 18 years for the marathon
- Registration: Bibs go on sale 6–8 months in advance
- Label: World Athletics Elite
- Men’s record: 2:09:07 (Cristhian Pacheco, 2022)
- Women’s record: 2:24:46 (Atsede Bayisa, 2024)
- Average temperature: 12°C at start, 20°C by 9:00 AM
| The Lima Marathon: a magical experience
Running in Lima in May is a singular experience. The climate demands adaptation and can have a real impact on your race pace. With such an early start, runners will inevitably encounter the garúa — the fine mist typical of the austral winter, often present in the early hours due to high humidity. Add to that a sun that can already be beating down by 8:00 AM, and race-day conditions are not always ideal for chasing a personal best. The organizers are clear on this: adjust your pace, hydrate at every aid station, and never ignore signs of overheating.
But the Lima Marathon is about more than clock-chasing — it delivers an electric atmosphere from the very first kilometer on Avenida Larco, where the crowds are already dense, loud, and vibrating with drum beats and raw energy. The course then winds through several tunnels beneath the Miraflores district, one of Latin America’s most lively neighborhoods. These tunnels take on a life of their own — transformed into something close to a nightclub, with music reverberating off the walls and the sound of thousands of footsteps echoing through the galleries. Moments that stay with you long after the finish. And that finish line itself, so long anticipated and so hard earned, appears in front of a crowd that has turned out in numbers in the early morning hours to cheer the marathoners home. Running Lima is a running experience you won’t forget.
The Lima Marathon is a genuine cultural and sporting journey that is drawing more runners from around the world every year. With its newly earned World Athletics Elite label, strong prize money for the pros, and the rapid growth of running in Peru, the race has firmly established itself among Latin America’s premier running events. The Marathon adidas RÍMAC Lima 42K is a race on the rise. For future editions, don’t wait — watch for registration to open in the autumn. Running Lima takes ambition. And it takes planning.
✔ Find all Lima Marathon registration details on the official website.
Clément LABORIEUX
Journalist
