Get ready to chase your fastest time yet at the Valencia Marathon 2026. The Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Zurich Marathon remains one of the world’s fastest marathons, attracting thousands of runners from across the globe.
With its famously flat course, typically mild early December weather, and that spectacular finish on the blue carpet at the City of Arts and Sciences, it’s easy to see why this event is a permanent fixture on the global marathon calendar.
Whether you’re looking for information on the Valencia marathon 2026 ahead of registering or you’re already prepping for race week, you’re in the right place. We’ve pulled together everything we know so far from the expected date and start times to the logistics that'll help you smash your goals.
The official listing for the Valencia Marathon 2026 confirms that the next event will take place on Sunday, 6th December 2026
The official start time of the Valencia 2025 marathon was 8:15 AM, it is likely that 2026 will see a similar start time.
There are nine waves staggered by target finishing time, and whilst the official 2026 start time for all waves has not yet been published, based on consistency in previous years, it is reasonable to expect a similar wave starts as follows;
8:15 AM: under 2h50
8:25 AM: between 2h50 and 2h59
8:35 AM: between 3h and 3h12
8:45 AM: between 3h12 and 3h19
8:55 AM: between 3h20 and 3h32
9:05 AM: between 3h32 and 3h43
9:15 AM: between 3h43 and 3h56
9:25 AM: between 3h56 and 4h10
9:35 AM: 4h10
Now we’ve reached the most important section in our article, diving into more detail about the course and route itself. Understanding the ins and outs of a course will determine the difficulty of the race and how you might train in preparation for race day.
Read on to discover what to expect from the Valencia Marathon 2026 course, any key landmarks to look out for, and important aid stations along the route.
The Valencia Marathon start location is in the Plaça de la Marató and ends on the walkway over water in the City of Arts and Sciences. This course is the perfect one to achieve PB’s as it’s completely flat and at sea level (with only a 76m elevation gain!). The route runs along large avenues and through the historic centre of the city, lined with stunning landmarks such as the Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas. Dotted along the route are cheering stations to keep spirits up as you power through this flat course.
One of our fantastic runners, Ellie (@ellierosefitness_pt on Instagram), ran the 2025 course and shared her experience with us:
“Taking part in the 2025 València marathon was a dream come true, I was most attracted to the unique blue finish line, sun and fast flat course. The experience exceeded all my expectations. The beautiful start line, which caught the most amazing sunrise, the beautifully flat course and so many lovely people I met on the course as well as the great crowds of supporters on the route. The finish line was amazing, everything I’d hoped for. This is genuinely one of the best races I’ve ever run in a beautiful city with so much to offer!”
Race day traffic surrounding the city can be a bit chaotic, but there’s no need to worry as Valencia offers plenty of options to get you to the starting line before you embark on your 26.2-mile run. Here are a few ways to get you to the start line:
Metro |
The nearest metro station is Alameda, served by Lines 3 and 5. From there, it's a short walk to the start point. |
Bus |
Several EMT bus lines provide access to the vicinity of the start line. Lines 35, 95, and 99 have stops closest to the City of Arts and Sciences. Be sure to check the EMT schedule for any race-day service adjustments. |
Cycling |
Valencia is a bike-friendly city with dedicated lanes. Cycling to the start line is a viable option, and bike racks are available near the City of Arts and Sciences. |
Walking |
If you're staying nearby, consider walking to the start line. A gentle walk can serve as a great warm-up before the race. |
The Valencia marathon carries runners along a striking route, lined with iconic landmarks and beautiful architecture, a big upgrade from a park run or your regular route. Starting at the vibrant historic square, Plaça de la Marató, and passing over the bridge with a view of the City of Arts and Sciences and heading towards the coast, reaching the Veles e Vents building in the harbour (Mile 2/Km 3.2). Continuing along the beachfront, the route turns back towards the city, passing the Vivers Municipals (Mile 8/Km 13), a lush green space that is one of Valencia’s oldest parks.
At Mile 9 (Km 15), runners approach the Estadio de Mestalla, home to Valencia CF, before making their way back towards the harbour and through the historic city centre. Here, they pass the Torres de Serranos (Mile 17/Km 28), medieval gates that once formed part of the city’s defensive walls, and run along Calle de la Paz, immersing themselves in Valencia's rich history. As they near the finish, runners traverse the Plaça de l’Ajuntament (Mile 19/Km 30), the bustling central square, before concluding the race back at the City of Arts and Sciences, where the futuristic architecture provides a stunning backdrop for the final steps.
As you run the course of the Valencia Marathon, you’ll notice a number of different aid stations to help you along the way. Based on what we’ve seen in 2025, these are the 6 stations you can expect to see along the route:
First Aid Stations: Miles 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 25, 26.
Aquabona Water Stations: Miles 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 25, 26.
Water Stations: Miles 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 25, 26.
Toilet Stations: Miles 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 25, 26.
Enervit Gel Stations: Miles 10 & 16.
Fruit Stations: Miles 14, 17, 20, 23, 25, 26.
One of the biggest changes for Valencia Marathon 2026 is the switch to a lottery/bib-draw system for entry. The organisers have confirmed that from 2026 onwards, race bibs will be allocated through a draw rather than first-come, first-served registration.
For runners in 2025 who want to return in 2026, there will be a “preferential loyalty” registration window (between 11-15th December) before the general ballot opens (16-26th December.
Because of the ballot system, entry is no longer guaranteed, so if you’re planning to run Valencia Marathon 2026, make sure you register or enter the ballot as soon as possible (or register to run for charity and get a guaranteed spot with realbuzz).
At realbuzz, we've been helping runners secure charity places for major marathons since 2002, and we're excited to support those taking on the Valencia Marathon 2026! To help you make the most of race day, we've gathered top tips and tricks from our experienced runners, so you can cross the finish line feeling strong and accomplished.
What you eat on race morning can make or break your marathon. Your breakfast should be high in carbohydrates, low in fibre, and familiar to your gut. This is not the time to experiment.
A solid go-to is two white bagels with honey or jam and a banana. That gives you a big hit of carbs without the fibre that can cause stomach issues mid-race. Pair it with a sports drink or electrolyte-rich hydration, and you’re golden.
But here’s the catch: you must practice this meal during your long training runs. Your stomach needs to know what’s coming. We recommend doing a few key sessions (your longest runs, ideally) exactly as you plan to on race day—same wake-up time, same breakfast, same kit. Nothing new on race day. Ever.
Every marathon has its hype: music, crowds, nerves—and suddenly you’re running a full minute per kilometre faster than you should be. We’ve seen even elite athletes blow up by 10K because they got carried away.
Here’s the truth: your marathon doesn’t begin until 30K. Up until then, you’re saving energy, staying calm, banking mental focus. Use a pacing strategy you’ve trained with. We recommend running the first 5K feeling almost too easy.
If you’re wearing a watch, stick to your plan religiously. If not, find a pace group or use landmarks to keep your rhythm. The best races are built patiently.
Your body burns through glycogen fast in a marathon. To keep going strong, you need 40-60g of carbohydrates per hour, starting from around the 45-minute mark. That means practising with energy gels, chews, or sports drinks in training—not just carrying them on race day like good luck charms.
Every long run is a dress rehearsal. Runners should start with one gel every 45 minutes and adjust based on how their stomach responds. Brands like Maurten, Science in Sport, and Huma are popular for a reason—but again, what works for one runner can wreck another. You won’t know until you test it.
And don’t rely on aid stations unless you’ve checked exactly what they’re offering and trained with it. We’ve had athletes grab a sports drink mid-race they’d never tried before, only to end up walking the final miles with stomach cramps.
In 2025, this marathon sold out in record time, so be sure to get the general ballot registration in your diary, but if you don’t secure a place, worry not, you can make your miles mean more and run this incredible marathon with the help of realbuzz!
Not only can we offer runners guaranteed entry into some of the world’s largest running events, but we also offer full fundraising support to help you raise money for causes that are special to you. So, if you’re ready to dust off your running shoes and start training for the Valencia Marathon 2026, sign up with realbuzz today and see the difference you can make to your chosen cause.
Apply To Run The Valencia Marathon 2026
