Elche, Valencian Community, Spain
The Maratón Internacional Elche-Alicante draws about 4,000 finishers each December along Spain's Costa Blanca. The course links Elche's palm grove UNESCO site with Alicante's Mediterranean waterfront and the Santa Bárbara castle views. December mild Alicante weather and flat coastal terrain make it a popular winter sun marathon.
Maratón Internacional Elche-Alicante is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Maratón Internacional Elche-Alicante is scheduled for Sunday, 22 November 2026 with a 8:30 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 100 m of climbing on a mostly flat with gentle undulations layout.
The Maratón Internacional Elche-Alicante is a point-to-point Costa Blanca course from Elche near the Palmeral palm groves to the Postiguet beach finish in Alicante, with Mediterranean views and Santa Bárbara Castle above the bay. The coastal flats are the easiest miles for holding pace, while the bridge and urban connectors can make the route tougher before the seaside finish; spectator support builds toward Alicante, especially around Postiguet beach and the final kilometres under the castle.
The Maratón Internacional Elche-Alicante course is mostly flat with gentle undulations over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 100 metres of climbing and 95 metres of descent, with a net climb of 5 metres from start to finish.
The Maratón Internacional Elche-Alicante uses open registration at elchealicantemarathon.com with no ballot or qualifying standard. Sign-up for the November race on Spain's Costa Blanca typically opens in spring. The Mediterranean course draws holiday runners and places usually remain available until closer to race day.
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Elche.
The Murcia Marathon draws approximately 1,500 finishers each February on an urban road in Murcia, Spain. Its terrain is among the flattest of Spain's second-tier city marathons. The route passes Segura River sections, wide avenues, and flat streets through the southeastern city. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 7 February 2027
The Valencia Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 29k finishers on an urban road in Valencia, Spain. The course starts and finishes at the City of Arts and Sciences. One of Europe's fastest courses, with no significant hills.
Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026
The Marato bp Castello draws approximately 1,800 finishers each February on an urban road in Castellon, Spain. It is one of Spain's quiet fast-course options for runners who want February racing without major-city logistics. The course passes broad flat streets between the city and coastal plain. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 7 February 2027
The Rock 'n' Roll Madrid Marathon brings roughly 10,000 runners through Spain's capital each April with live music stages along the course. The route passes the Prado Museum, Retiro Park, Plaza de Cibeles, and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium area on largely flat Madrid boulevards. Combining big-city landmarks with the Rock 'n' Roll series' entertainment format makes it one of Spain's most popular spring marathons.
Next race: Sunday, 18 April 2027
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