Run even, start controlled
The field is fast and the first kilometers feel effortless. Start at goal pace, not faster. Valencia rewards a steady second half.
Valencia, Spain · Sunday, December 6, 2026
Valencia Marathon race guide
Valencia has become one of the fastest marathons on the planet: flat, close to sea level and usually cool in early December. The course loops from the City of Arts and Sciences out to the port, through the university district and El Cabanyal, across the old Turia riverbed, around the historic center and west through Campanar before finishing on a blue carpet that floats over the water.
Pace plan
Plan your race on this course
Set your goal and start time. Your checkpoints, the time of day you’ll reach each one, and the course guide below all update to match.
Build your plan01
Pacing
A little slower on the climbs, a little faster on the downhills and flats, for the same finish time. Based on where this course climbs. Treat it as an effort guide.
Enter your wave’s start time. Waves go every 10 minutes from 8:15 to 9:35 a.m. Your wave is on your bib.
Splits
Your Valencia Marathon02
Average pace
4:59/km
- First half
- 1:44:59
- Second half
- 1:45:01
- Finish line
Hover or tap a bar to see that km.
| Checkpoint | Elapsed |
|---|---|
| The port5 km · Should feel easy | 24:51 |
| Benimaclet12 km · Locked into goal pace | 59:47 |
| Halfway, El Cabanyal21.1 km · Even pace, or a few seconds behind | 1:44:59 |
| Cut-off point25 km · Must pass by 12:57 p.m. | 2:04:25 |
| Old town30 km · Slight rise. Keep the effort steady | 2:29:26 |
| Patraix38 km · Final 4 km. Race from here | 3:09:15 |
| Finish42.2 km · City of Arts and Sciences | 3:30:00 |
Save it to your phone, or send the link to the people cheering for you.
- Date
- Sunday, December 6, 2026
- Start time
- Waves from 8:15 to 9:35 a.m. CET, by qualifying time
- Start
- Plaça de la Marató, by the City of Arts and Sciences
- Finish
- The blue carpet over the water at the City of Arts and Sciences
- Time limit
- 5:30 from when you cross the start. km 25 by 12:57 p.m.; the finish closes at 3:15 p.m.
- Elevation gain
- About 60 m
- Official site
- valenciaciudaddelrunning.com
- Profile
- Flat, between about 2 and 30 m above sea level
- Best for
- A PR or a qualifying time
- Biggest mistake
- Getting swept up by a very fast field in the first 10 km
- Cut-off
- km 25 by 12:57 p.m.; 5:30 maximum from your start
The course
The course, at your pace
- km0–5
City of Arts & Sciences to the port Flat
You start by the City of Arts and Sciences and head toward the sea and the port district. It’s flat and slightly downhill to near sea level. Wave starts keep it fairly open, so settle in early.
4:58 /km5 km at 24:51
- km5–13
Algirós & Benimaclet Flat
Along the wide Avinguda dels Tarongers and Avinguda de Catalunya through the university district, then into Benimaclet. Wide, straight and fast.
4:59 /km13 km at 1:04:46
- km13–19
Avinguda d’Aragó Flat
Back through Pla del Real on Avinguda d’Aragó and east again through Algirós. Keep the rhythm and stay on top of fueling.
4:58 /km19 km at 1:34:34
- km19–24
El Cabanyal Flat
Halfway comes in El Cabanyal, the old fishermen’s quarter by the beach, with narrow streets and some of the race’s best atmosphere. Enjoy it, but don’t surge.
5:00 /km24 km at 1:59:28
- km24–31
Across the Turia & the old town Flat
Through Camins al Grau, across the old Turia riverbed to la Saïdia, and around the historic center. The course rises slightly here, to about 25 m. You won’t see it, but you might feel it.
5:00 /km31 km at 2:34:25
- km31–38
Campanar & Patraix Flat
The western loop through Campanar and Patraix. These kilometers can feel long. Pick runners ahead and work toward them.
4:59 /km38 km at 3:09:15
- km38–42.2
Extramurs & the blue carpet Flat
Past the city center near the train station and back toward the City of Arts and Sciences. The last stretch runs along a blue carpet over the water to the finish.
4:57 /kmFinish at 3:30:00
Every km split for 3:30:00
| Km | Terrain | Pace /km | Elapsed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flat | 4:58 | 4:58 |
| 2 | Flat | 4:58 | 9:55 |
| 3 | Flat | 4:57 | 14:52 |
| 4 | Flat | 4:58 | 19:51 |
| 5 | Flat | 4:59 | 24:49 |
| 6 | Flat | 5:00 | 29:49 |
| 7 | Flat | 5:01 | 34:50 |
| 8 | Flat | 5:01 | 39:51 |
| 9 | Flat | 4:57 | 44:48 |
| 10 | Flat | 4:58 | 49:46 |
| 11 | Flat | 4:59 | 54:45 |
| 12 | Flat | 5:00 | 59:45 |
| 13 | Flat | 5:00 | 1:04:45 |
| 14 | Flat | 4:58 | 1:09:43 |
| 15 | Flat | 4:58 | 1:14:41 |
| 16 | Flat | 4:58 | 1:19:40 |
| 17 | Flat | 4:58 | 1:24:38 |
| 18 | Flat | 4:58 | 1:29:35 |
| 19 | Flat | 4:57 | 1:34:32 |
| 20 | Flat | 4:58 | 1:39:30 |
| 21 | Flat | 4:59 | 1:44:29 |
| 22 | Flat | 5:01 | 1:49:30 |
| 23 | Flat | 5:00 | 1:54:30 |
| 24 | Flat | 4:59 | 1:59:29 |
| 25 | Flat | 4:58 | 2:04:27 |
| 26 | Flat | 4:58 | 2:09:25 |
| 27 | Flat | 5:01 | 2:14:26 |
| 28 | Flat | 5:00 | 2:19:26 |
| 29 | Flat | 5:00 | 2:24:26 |
| 30 | Flat | 5:01 | 2:29:27 |
| 31 | Flat | 5:00 | 2:34:26 |
| 32 | Flat | 4:58 | 2:39:24 |
| 33 | Flat | 4:59 | 2:44:22 |
| 34 | Flat | 4:59 | 2:49:21 |
| 35 | Flat | 4:59 | 2:54:20 |
| 36 | Flat | 4:59 | 2:59:19 |
| 37 | Flat | 4:58 | 3:04:17 |
| 38 | Flat | 4:58 | 3:09:16 |
| 39 | Flat | 4:58 | 3:14:14 |
| 40 | Flat | 4:57 | 3:19:11 |
| 41 | Flat | 4:56 | 3:24:06 |
| 42 | Flat | 4:56 | 3:29:02 |
| Finish | Flat | 4:57 | 3:30:00 |
Lap your watch at each marker; GPS distance drifts over 26.2 miles. Even-pace card for 3:30:00
Race strategy
How to pace the Valencia Marathon
Stay in a group
Wind can blow in from the coast. Running in a pack through the open avenues saves real energy.
Use the aid stations as markers
There are nine refreshment points and three gel points. Plan your fueling around them so you’re never improvising late in the race.
The last few weeks
Train for this course
- Do long marathon-pace blocks on flat ground, since there’s nothing on this course to break your rhythm.
- Practice holding goal pace in a fast group, since your wave will be full of runners chasing similar times.
- If you’re flying in, plan a couple of easy shakeout runs to adjust to travel.
Race-day weather
Early December in Valencia is usually mild and cool in the morning, which is a big part of why the course is so fast. Wind off the coast is the main thing to watch.
Race morning
Getting to the start
- There’s no race-day bib pickup. Bibs are collected only at the expo before race day.
- Waves start every 10 minutes from 8:15 a.m., based on your qualifying time. Your wave is on your bib.
- The 5:30 time limit counts from when you cross the start line.
- There are nine refreshment points with water and sports drink, and three gel points along the course.
Questions runners ask.
Is Valencia really that fast?
Yes. It’s flat and close to sea level, between about 2 and 30 m, and usually cool in early December. Many of the fastest marathon times ever run have been set here.
What is the time limit?
5 hours 30 minutes, counted from when you cross the start line. There’s a cut-off at km 25 at 12:57 p.m., and the finish closes at 3:15 p.m.
How are start waves assigned?
By the time you accredited when registering, in 10-minute waves from 8:15 (sub-2:50) to 9:35 a.m. (over 4:10).
Can I pick up my bib on race morning?
No. Bibs and goodie bags are handed out only at the expo before race day.
Last checked October 20, 2026. This is an independent guide from Miles. We’re not affiliated with the race organizer. Start times, cutoffs, and logistics can change, so confirm everything on the official race site before race day.
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