Valencia Marathon
Valencia, Spain · First Sunday of December
The 'ciudad del running' earns it: dead flat, wide, sheltered streets, December air, and a field stacked with PR-hunters. The blue-carpet finish over the City of Arts lagoon is one of the sport's great closing images. If you want one fast race in Europe, this is it.
Course
Elevation gain
60 m
Net elevation
-5 m
Finishers
~30,000
Month
December
First Sunday of December
Race-day weather
Median start temp
14°C
Historical range
6–18°C
Hot-year risk
Low
Early December on the Mediterranean is close to perfect racing weather nearly every year.
Getting in
Lottery. Entry is by ballot from the 2026 edition — demand ended the sell-out-in-days era after 2025. Official site ↗
Pacing plans for Valencia Marathon
Course-adjusted splits for every common goal — not flat even splits, but pacing that matches where this course is fast and where it bites.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Valencia Marathon a fast course?
Yes — it is one of the fastest marathon courses in the world. The course has 60 m of total elevation gain. We rate it 10/10 for PR potential.
What is the weather usually like at the Valencia Marathon?
The median start-line temperature is around 14°C, with a historical range of roughly 6–18°C. Early December on the Mediterranean is close to perfect racing weather nearly every year.
How do you get into the Valencia Marathon?
Lottery. Entry is by ballot from the 2026 edition — demand ended the sell-out-in-days era after 2025.
Is the Valencia Marathon a Boston qualifier?
Yes — the Valencia Marathon is a certified course accepted by the B.A.A. for Boston qualifying times.