Next race
Sunday, 6 December 2026
8:15 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban road
Elevation
Rolling · 62 m gain
62 m climbing
Race profile
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.
Valencia Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 29k finishers
Course & terrain
The Valencia Marathon is a flat out-and-back starting near the Paseo de la Alameda and finishing at the City of Arts and Sciences, spending several miles in the Turia Gardens and along the Malvarrosa coast. The entire route is one of Europe's easiest and fastest profiles, with no significant hills to break rhythm. Spectators gather at the City of Arts and Sciences finish, along the Turia paths, and at organised cheer zones through the city centre.
The Valencia Marathon course is rolling over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 62 metres of climbing and 67 metres of descent, with a net descent of 5 metres from start to finish.
Rolling · 62 m gain — approx. 15 m above sea level
↑ 62 m · ↓ 67 m · net −5 m
Registration
Registration is open (no lottery) through valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. However, the race now sells out months in advance given its reputation for fast times. There are separate elite, sub-elite (time-qualifying), and general public categories. The elite and sub-elite categories require documentation of previous marathon or half marathon times, and these runners access designated start corrals positioned behind the official pacemakers. General field runners are seeded by predicted finish time.
Getting there
Valencia Airport (VLC)
9 km / 6 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 Valencia.
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 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.
Next race: Sunday, 22 November 2026
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 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.
