How 2026 Went
Race day was 27 September 2026.
Full results →Course Map
About this Race
The Maratona de Salvador is a coastal race through the vibrant Afro-Brazilian cultural capital of Bahia, tracing the Atlantic shoreline of the historic northeastern city on largely flat terrain. The level profile is fast on paper, but the tropical heat and humidity are the defining challenge in this sun-soaked region. The colorful seaside setting and rich cultural backdrop define the day. The flat roads reward steady effort once the climate is respected. It suits runners who want a vibrant, scenic coastal Brazilian race and are prepared to pace conservatively against the heat.
Course Insight
Salvador is a hot, humid marathon along the flat Bahian coast, where the heat rather than the terrain is what humbles most runners. The course itself is fast on paper -- flat asphalt with minimal elevation change -- but humidity climbs fast after sunrise, so the real test is pacing conservatively from the gun rather than banking early splits on the flat roads. The coastal scenery and vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture along the route are a genuine lift, with crowd support strongest through the historic center and thinner on the more exposed shoreline stretches. Hydrate relentlessly from early on, not just once it starts to feel hot. The pacing trap is treating the flat profile as an invitation to go out fast -- respect the heat and the flat course rewards steady effort; ignore it and the humidity turns the back half into survival mode.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to challenging typical weather.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 104m
- Elevation loss
- 105m
- Highest point
- 26m
- Lowest point
- 6m
- Net elevation
- -1m
- Start
- Starts at the Centro de Convencoes Salvador (moved from the previous Arena O Canto da Cidade start).
- Cutoff time
- 6h 0m
Course Records
- Men's
- 2:21:02 — Justino Pedro da Silva, 2026
Race History
The Maratona de Salvador is a coastal race through the vibrant Afro-Brazilian cultural capital of Bahia, tracing the Atlantic shoreline of the historic northeastern city. Its largely flat course, shaped by the tropical heat, built its identity around the colorful cultural setting. Over the years it drew runners to the sun-soaked coast. It remains a vibrant, characterful coastal Brazilian race.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Salvador Luís Eduardo Magalhães (SSA)
- Best area to stay
- The Barra area for proximity to the coastal course and sea-view stays, Pelourinho for atmospheric historic options, and Rio Vermelho for trendy, characterful stays.
- Getting to the start
- The start is near the Barra/coast; take a taxi to the start early.