Next race
Sunday, 22 November 2026
8:30 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Scenic coastal road
Elevation
Rolling · 100 m gain
100 m climbing
Race profile
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.
Approximately 4,000 finishers
Course & terrain
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 rolling 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.
Rolling · 100 m gain — approx. 96 m above sea level
↑ 100 m · ↓ 95 m · net +5 m
Registration
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.
Getting there
Alicante (ALC)
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport
13 km / 8 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 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, 25 April 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.
