Next race
Sunday, 7 March 2027
9:30 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban road
Elevation
Rolling · 150 m gain
150 m climbing
Race profile
The Bilbao Bizkaia Marathon draws approximately 700 finishers each March through the Basque Country's industrial-turned-cultural capital. The course starts at the La Salve bridge and finishes beside the Guggenheim Museum on a fast, sea-level loop through Bilbao and out toward Getxo. March weather on the Cantabrian coast and the titanium Guggenheim backdrop make it northern Spain's premier spring marathon.
Bilbao Bizkaia Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 700 finishers
Course & terrain
The Bilbao Bizkaia Marathon is an urban road race that starts on the La Salve bridge and finishes beside the Guggenheim Museum. The homologated loop stays very flat at sea level with long straights and few sharp turns, passing emblematic Bilbao landmarks and continuing through the metropolitan area toward Getxo. Spectators gather at the bridge start, the Guggenheim finish festival, and cheer zones along the main boulevards.
The Bilbao Bizkaia Marathon course is rolling over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 150 metres of climbing and 140 metres of descent, with a net climb of 10 metres from start to finish.
Rolling · 150 m gain — approx. 20 m above sea level
↑ 150 m · ↓ 140 m · net +10 m
Registration
The Bilbao Bizkaia Marathon is held in early March. Registration and race information are at https://www.finishers.com/en/event/bilbao-bizkaia-marathon.
Getting there
Bilbao Airport (BIO)
4 km / 3 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Bilbao.
The Marathon Biarritz Pays Basque draws approximately 1,800 finishers each May on a scenic coastal road in Biarritz, France. It is one of France's most scenic seaside marathons thanks to the rugged Atlantic backdrop. The route passes ocean cliffs, beach boulevards, and roads linking several Basque-coast towns. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027
The Marathon des Villages draws approximately 2,720 finishers each October on a coastal village road in Cap-Ferret, France. The village-to-village coastal feel is unlike larger French city marathons. The route passes oyster villages, pine forests, and roads around the Bassin d'Arcachon. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs totals roughly 300 metres of gain and loss.
Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026
The Marathon des Landes is an October urban and rural road marathon in Mont-de-Marsan, France (also Mazerolles and Saint-Pierre-du-Mont), organised by Stade Montois. The two-loop course is very flat. The 2025 festival drew about 2,520 participants across marathon, half, 10K and walk — marathon-only finisher totals were not published separately on the organiser site.
Next race: Sunday, 11 October 2026
The Marathon du Medoc draws approximately 6,000 finishers each September on a wine-country road in Pauillac, France. The race is famous worldwide for combining marathon distance with costume culture and wine-country spectacle. The course passes vineyards, chateaux, and wine villages throughout the Medoc region. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 5 September 2027
The Marathon Royan Cote de Beaute draws approximately 1,500 finishers each May on a scenic coastal road in Royan, France. It blends resort-town scenery with a largely runnable profile. The route passes estuary views, beaches, and low coastal roads on the Charente coast. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
