Spain’s 10 biggest marathons

Starting a marathon in Spain is like dropping into a long action movie in running shoes. The scenery keeps shifting: from a royal boulevard in Madrid to Valencia’s blue Marina, from an Andalusian alleyway shaded by orange trees to the sparkling bay of San Sebastián. Spain does the marathon its own way: loud, passionate, sun-soaked. And sometimes… seriously fast. Here are ten races that make Iberian running tick.

1. Valencia Marathon

✓ The record factory

Valencia is no longer just the city of paella. It’s become the world capital of the stopwatch. On a course this smooth, legs can finally do the talking: Kelvin Kiptum ran 2:01:53 here in 2023 before becoming a legend gone far too soon. In 2024, Sabastian Sawe went close to that mark (2:02:05), while Alemu Megertu lit up the women’s race with a brilliant 2:16:49.

Last year, just weeks before the marathon, Valencia was hit by devastating floods, causing deaths and major damage. The race went ahead nonetheless, taking on a powerful solidarity dimension with the “Valencia runs 4 Valencia” campaign, rallying runners to support the worst-affected areas.

And every edition, the 35,000 bibs are snapped up in a few hours. Atmosphere: a running festival, perfect weather (around 12°C in December), and a magical finish across the blue footbridge at the City of Arts and Sciences. Valencia is the marathon where dreams come with split times.

2. Barcelona Marathon

✓ Art, sea, and fast times

Running in Barcelona means skimming the Mediterranean, brushing past the Sagrada Família, and feeling the city pulse beneath the palm trees. In 2025, Ethiopian Tesfaye Deriba smashed the course record in 2:04:13, with Sharon Chelimo taking the women’s record in 2:19:33.

The route, revamped in 2023, is flatter than ever and now ranks among Europe’s most runnable. Nearly 27,000 runners, 60 {929902e1ae24fbd41363c9a1c32dfbb627114431c099f6444c46d2492cf1e17f} international participants, and a vibe that sits somewhere between a mass-participation race and the Spanish championships. If Valencia is the rocket, Barcelona is the fresco. You run fast here, but you feel everything too.

3. Seville Marathon

✓ Andalusia, negative splits only

Seville is the South’s quiet surprise. No hills, no wind, just rhythm. In 2024, Kenyan Deresa Geleta stopped the clock in 2:03:27, a time that puts Seville in the world top 5 for fastest marathon courses. This year, Manon Trapp (2:23:38) broke the French record before Mekdes Woldu lowered the French best to 2:23:13 a few weeks later in… Barcelona.

The finish comes under the sun in Parque de María Luisa, after passing the Giralda. A marathon with the scent of orange blossom, perfect for chasing a PR or punching a ticket to Boston. Under the palms, legs start to dance.

4. Rock’n’Roll Madrid Marathon

✓ Madrid at full throttle

The Madrid Marathon is basically the country’s soundtrack: loud, alive, and demanding. The course climbs, drops, and twists between Gran Vía and El Retiro, with dozens of live bands lining the route.

You don’t come here for an easy PB (it’s rolling), you come for the experience. The best have run 2:08:18 (men’s course record by Kenyan Reuben Kerio in 2019) and 2:24:37 on the women’s side by Ethiopian Siranesh Yirga in 2022. The 2025 edition drew more than 45,000 participants: thick crowds, applause on every corner. Madrid is the marathon where the whole city carries you.

5. San Sebastián Marathon

✓ Seaside roads, hot-blooded crowds

On the Basque coast, the Zurich Maratón Donostia-San Sebastián has a vibe all its own. The route alternates between the La Concha waterfront (pictured) and the old town, washed in soft November light. The times hold up, too: in 2023, the men won in 2:12:15 and the women in 2:31:25.

All of it in a city that runs on pintxos, surf, and Donostia’s Michelin-star scene (the Basque name for the city). A “human-sized” marathon with more than 10,000 registered last year, where the sea feels like it’s breathing down your neck with every stride. 42.195 km to circle on your calendar for November 23.

6. Zaragoza Marathon

✓ The quiet rise

Zaragoza is the pleasant surprise in the heart of the country. More under-the-radar, but clearly booming: 7,500 participants in 2025, a record. The course follows the Ebro, passes the Basílica del Pilar, and rolls along without any major difficulty. Top times hover around 2:18 for men and 2:42 for women. A solid, well-run marathon, ideal for a spring goal away from the crush.

7. Castellón Marathon

✓ The East Coast sure thing

Launched in 2010, the Castellón Marathon quickly moved up the ranks. World Athletics label, mild weather, a full-on local vibe, and one of the fastest marathons in Spain. In 2024: 2:07:25 for the winner, 2:28:52 for the first woman. The course heads straight for the sea with no real sting in the tail. A serious marathon, dialed in for anyone hunting a good time without the crowds of Barcelona or Valencia.

8. Malaga Marathon

✓ Winter, but in the sun

While the rest of Europe is freezing, the Generali Maratón Málaga is run in a T-shirt. A flat, seaside route, party atmosphere, and temperatures flirting with 15°C. More than 16,000 runners toed the line in December 2024, a record that could be topped on December 14 at the 16th edition. Records sit around 2:07 for men and 2:27 for women. The organizers lean into the sport-tourism mix: in 2023, more than half the field came from abroad. Run, tan, repeat.

9. Elche‑Alicante International Marathon

✓ The marathon that kicks off the Spanish season

This brand-new race between Elche and Alicante already looks set to become a fixture on the Spanish calendar. Debuting on November 30, it’s expected to draw close to 5,000 runners, with 4,400 already signed up a few weeks before race day.

The course links the two cities on a fast, runnable route, ideal for chasing a personal best while taking in the coastline and the local historic districts. The atmosphere promises to be festive and welcoming, with entertainment along the way and plenty of local support. For runners, it’s the perfect blend of performance and sports tourism, with the Costa Blanca sun as the backdrop.

10. Santa Eulària Ibiza Marathon

✓ Running, Ibiza-style: chill mode

In this party corner of the Med, it’s more about vibes than split times. The 2025 edition of the Santa Eulària Ibiza Marathon welcomed 6,000 runners, a record for the island. Seafront start, sunset as the reward, and a finish line soundtracked by DJs. The quickest are around 2:30, but the real show is down on the promenade, non-alcoholic beer in hand.

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