Valencia Marathon Review — Running a World-Class Course in Spain

One of the world's top 5 fastest marathon courses — flat, warm, and finishing through the City of Arts and Sciences.

The Valencia Marathon is consistently ranked among the world's fastest — a flat coastal course with mild December weather, superb organisation, and a spectacular finish through Santiago Calatrava's City of Arts and Sciences. Willem ran it and shares the experience.

The Valencia Marathon is where world records get broken. The flat course along the Mediterranean coast, the mild December temperatures (typically 10-15°C), and the city's enthusiasm for the event make it one of the best marathon experiences in Europe.

The course runs through Valencia's wide avenues, past the old town, along the Turia gardens — the dried riverbed turned into a 9km park — and finishes through the stunning City of Arts and Sciences complex designed by Santiago Calatrava. Running between those futuristic white structures in the final kilometres is unforgettable.

The organisation is excellent: clear signage, well-stocked aid stations every 5km, pace groups for every target time, and enthusiastic crowds throughout. Valencia takes its marathon seriously — the city shuts down for it.

For anyone considering a destination marathon in Europe, Valencia is hard to beat: fast course for PBs, beautiful city to explore before and after, affordable flights from most European cities, and December timing means you've trained through autumn rather than summer heat.

From Willem's running and sport collection.