Course Map
About this Race
The Zurich Marató Barcelona is a vibrant Catalan city race that tours Antoni Gaudí's masterpieces, passing the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, the seafront, and the grand avenues of the Catalan capital. The course is mostly flat with a few gentle rises, set on wide boulevards that make it reasonably fast while keeping the focus on the architecture and atmosphere. Run in March, it offers mild Mediterranean spring conditions and draws a large, festive international field. Lively crowds and music line the iconic landmarks, giving it a celebratory feel. It suits runners who want a scenic, sun-warmed spring race through one of Europe's most beautiful cities at a respectable pace.
Course Insight
Barcelona is a flat, fast spring course that threads past Gaudí's Sagrada Família and the city's Mediterranean grid, smooth and rhythm-friendly with only mild undulation. With little terrain to impose patience, your own restraint is the governor on the long urban straights. Spring sun on the open boulevards is the main variable, so manage fluids and don't over-run the early kilometres. Lively crowds make it easy to drift fast. Run it as a measured time trial and the level profile pays back what you put in.
Difficulty Breakdown
A balanced marathon with no single defining challenge.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 135m
- Elevation loss
- 155m
- Highest point
- 51m
- Lowest point
- 6m
- Net elevation
- -20m
- Start
- Plaça d'Espanya
- Cutoff time
- 6h 0m
Course Records
- Men's
- 2:04:13 — Tesfaye Deriba (Ethiopia), 2025
- Women's
- 2:10:51 — Fotyen Tesfay (Ethiopia), 2026
Race History
The Barcelona Marathon traces its origins to 1978 and has grown, in its modern era, into a vibrant tour of Antoni Gaudí's masterpieces through the Catalan capital. Mostly flat and scenic, it built a reputation as a festive, sightseeing-friendly spring race rather than a record course. Backed by title sponsor Zurich in recent years, it expanded into one of Spain's largest marathons. Held each March, it now draws a big international field beneath the Mediterranean spring sun.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Barcelona–El Prat (BCN), Girona (GRO) & Reus (REU)
- Best area to stay
- The Eixample for central hotels near the Sagrada Família stretch, the Gothic Quarter for atmospheric old-town stays, and Gràcia for charming, quieter neighbourhood options.
- Getting to the start
- The start is near Plaça d'Espanya; take the Metro (L1/L3) to Espanya and walk to the start.