Spain is an ideal marathon destination: flat courses, mild winter temperatures and cities that love running. Valencia and Seville are among the fastest marathons in the world, while Barcelona and Madrid offer a big-city atmosphere. Here are the 7 best marathons in Spain for 2027, with dates, entry details and what makes each course special.
The short answer
- For a PB: Valencia (early December, 2027 date not yet announced) or Seville (21 February 2027, already sold out).
- In spring: Barcelona (14 March 2027) and Madrid (25 April 2027), entries open.
- In autumn: Malaga and San Sebastián in November, Valencia in December.
- For a first marathon abroad: San Sebastián or Zaragoza, smaller and quieter.
Contents
The 7 best marathons in Spain
1. Valencia Marathon: the world benchmark for a PB
Valencia has become one of the fastest marathons on the planet. The course record belongs to Sisay Lemma in 2:01:48 (2023), and Joyciline Jepkosgei set the women’s record of 2:14:00 in 2025. The course is flat, the air is cool in December and 30,523 runners crossed the line in 2025.
- Date: the 2026 edition is on Sunday 6 December 2026. The 2027 date hasn’t been announced yet.
- Entry: for 2026, places were allocated by ballot, with a priority period for the previous year’s runners. Entering the ballot was free (€5 temporarily held on your card). The 2027 details haven’t been published yet.
- Size: about 35,000 to 36,000 bibs according to the 2026 rules.
- Best for: runners chasing a PB who are happy to try the ballot.
Read our full guide to the Valencia Marathon.
2. Seville Marathon: the flattest in Europe
Seville bills itself as “the flattest marathon in Europe”, and the times back it up. The course record is 2:03:27, set by Deresa Geleta in 2024. In 2026, the win came down to a photo finish in 2:03:59, and 23 men ran under 2:10:00.
- Date: Sunday 21 February 2027
- Entry: sold out. The organisers announced a record 20,000 entrants for 2027. The only option is the waiting list on the official website.
- Weather: in late February, Andalusia often has mild temperatures, ideal for running fast.
- Best for: runners who want a PB at the end of winter.
3. Barcelona Marathon: the big spring party
Barcelona welcomed 32,000 participants in 2026, a record for the race. That year, Fotyen Tesfay won in 2:10:53, the second-fastest women’s marathon in history, and Abel Chelangat won the men’s race in 2:04:57.
- Date: Sunday 14 March 2027
- Entry: open since 30 April 2026, with price tiers that rise over the months.
- Best for: runners who want a big atmosphere and a city weekend.
Discover the course in detail in our article on running in Barcelona.
4. Madrid Marathon: the hilly challenge
Madrid isn’t Spain’s fastest marathon: the course is hilly and the city sits at altitude. In return, you run through the capital’s historic centre in a big-race atmosphere. For 2027, the organisers offer 17,000 marathon bibs and 30,000 for the half.
- Date: Sunday 25 April 2027, 8am start
- Entry: open until 11 April 2027 or until places run out. The marathon costs €150 on the official entry platform.
- 2027 system: a phase reserved for 2026 runners, then one for the waiting list, then open to everyone since 14 May 2026.
- Best for: runners looking for an experience more than a fast time.
5. Malaga Marathon: fast by the sea
Malaga had the fastest edition in its history in 2025: Mande Bushendich won in 2:06:07 and Misgane Alemayehu in 2:24:43, both course records. The start and finish are on the Paseo del Parque, and the marathon has only 117 m of climbing.
- Date: the 2026 edition is on Sunday 8 November 2026. The 2027 date hasn’t been announced yet.
- Entry: for 2026, 12,000 places, with entries open until 2 November 2026 on the official website.
- Time limit: 5h30.
- Best for: runners who want a fast marathon without a ballot.
6. San Sebastián Marathon: flat at sea level
San Sebastián offers a fully urban course, flat and at sea level. The streets give good shelter from the wind, and the field is strong: in 2024, 18% of runners finished under 3 hours. In 2025, all 7,000 marathon places were taken.
- Date: the 2026 edition (47th) is on Sunday 22 November 2026. The 2027 date hasn’t been announced yet.
- Start: calle Hernani at 9am, finish on the Boulevard.
- Best for: a first marathon abroad or an end-of-season PB.
7. Zaragoza Marathon: the low-key option
Zaragoza is a friendly, small marathon: 2,300 entrants in 2026, for a limit of 2,500 places. The start and finish are in the Plaza del Pilar, at the foot of the basilica. In 2026 the course was redesigned: the climb to the Imperial Canal moved from km 32 to km 17.
- Date: the 2026 edition was on 12 April. The 2027 date hasn’t been announced yet.
- Entry: on the official race website.
- Best for: runners who prefer calm to big crowds.
Which Spanish marathon should you choose?
| Race | 2027 date | Season | Main highlight | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seville | 21 February | Winter | Flattest in Europe, very fast | Sold out (waiting list) |
| Barcelona | 14 March | Spring | Atmosphere, 32,000 runners in 2026 | Open, tiered prices |
| Zaragoza | TBA (12 April in 2026) | Spring | Small field, Pilar finish | Official website |
| Madrid | 25 April | Spring | Capital, hilly course | Open (€150) |
| Malaga | TBA (8 November in 2026) | Autumn | Fast, seaside | Official website |
| San Sebastián | TBA (22 November in 2026) | Autumn | Flat, at sea level | Official website |
| Valencia | TBA (6 December in 2026) | Autumn | Among the fastest in the world | Ballot (in 2026) |
If you miss out on the Valencia ballot, Malaga and San Sebastián in November offer equally flat courses with simpler entry.
How to prepare for a marathon in Spain
- Allow 16 to 20 weeks. For Seville in late February, start in October or November: much of your training will be in winter.
- Work on your marathon pace. On flat courses, even pacing makes your time. Calculate your split times and practise holding them.
- Plan for spring heat. In Madrid in late April, temperatures can rise later in the morning: drink from the first aid stations.
- Book your accommodation early. Valencia, Seville and Barcelona draw tens of thousands of runners: hotels near the start go fast.
A plan built around your race date
RunMotion Coach builds your marathon training plan, personalised to your level, your goal and your race date, with personalised paces. Try it free for 7 days.
FAQ
What is the fastest marathon in Spain?
Valencia. The course record is 2:01:48 (Sisay Lemma, 2023). Seville is close behind, with a record of 2:03:27 (Deresa Geleta, 2024).
How do I get a place in the Valencia Marathon?
For 2026, places were allocated by ballot, after a priority period for the previous year’s runners. The 2027 details haven’t been published yet.
Which Spanish marathon is best for a first marathon?
San Sebastián or Zaragoza: smaller fields, simple organisation and, in San Sebastián, a flat course.
Is the 2027 Seville Marathon still open?
No, it’s sold out. You can join the waiting list on the official website.
Want to compare with other countries? See our top 10 flattest marathons and our guide to the best marathons in Germany.
Ready to race in Spain? Start your 7-day free trial and let RunMotion Coach build your plan all the way to race day.
Updated 28 October 2026.
