Málaga Marathon

What is the route of the Málaga Marathon

The Málaga Marathon route starts and finishes at the same point: Paseo del Parque, in front of the University of Málaga's Rectorate building. It's a certified 42.195 km urban course, run entirely on asphalt.

Compared to previous editions, organisers have kept a faster, flatter course with fewer curves, designed to make it easier for runners to move through the city and for spectators to follow the race.

The cut-off time is 5 hours 30 minutes, with mandatory checkpoints every 5 km that set a demanding but achievable pace throughout the course.

Key kilometer points of the Málaga Marathon

• Km 0-5 — Salida en el Paseo del Parque

  Arranque frente al Ayuntamiento de Málaga, bordeando el puerto durante más de 800 metros en un tramo llano.

• Km 5-16 — Playas de La Malagueta, Caleta y Baños del Carmen

  El recorrido sigue la costa pasando junto a la Plaza de Toros de La Malagueta y las playas del litoral este de la ciudad.

• Km 16-24 — Pedregalejo, Acacias y playa de El Palo

  Continuación por el litoral hasta el barrio pesquero de El Palo, el punto más alejado del recorrido.

• Km 24-32 — Plaza de la Merced y bucle norte

  Vuelta hacia el centro pasando por la Plaza de la Merced, seguida de un bucle de 4 km hacia el norte que incluye el Parque de Martiricos y el Estadio de La Rosaleda.

• Km 32-42,195 — Vuelta al centro y meta en el Paseo del Parque

  Tramo final de regreso al Paseo del Parque, con la meta cerrando a las 14:00h.

Where to stay for the Málaga Marathon

The La Malagueta neighbourhood, right by the beach, is an excellent option: you can walk to the centre in 15-20 minutes along the Paseo del Parque itself, and it's a quieter area than the historic centre.

The historic centre (Cathedral, Picasso Museum, Alcazaba) has the highest concentration of hotels and is within walking distance of both the start and finish on the Paseo del Parque.

The average hotel price in the centre is around €90 a night, so it's worth comparing areas and booking with some margin if you're on a budget.

Getting there from the airport for the Málaga Marathon

Málaga Airport is very well connected to the centre by the C-1 Cercanías train (Málaga Centro Alameda-Fuengirola line), with no transfers and just a 12-minute ride, departing every 20-30 minutes.

The ticket costs €1.80, one of the cheapest airport-to-centre trips in Spain.

There's also the EMT's Express bus (Line A), stopping at María Zambrano train station and the centre, for €4, every 30 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions about Málaga Marathon

What's the registration deadline?

Monday, November 2 at 8:00 PM, or until the 12,000 available bibs sell out.

Where and when do I collect my bib?

At the Marathon Expo, on November 6-7 from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. ID or passport is required, and no bibs are handed out on race day.

Can someone else collect my bib?

Yes, by presenting your registration confirmation; again, not on race day itself.

What's the cut-off time to finish the marathon?

5 hours and 30 minutes from the last official start.

Can I transfer my bib to someone else?

No, under the regulations registration is personal and non-transferable.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Only if you purchased cancellation insurance; in that case you get a 100% refund minus the insurance cost, with a deadline of October 15.

About Málaga Marathon

The Málaga Marathon is an annual 42.195 km race held in Málaga, Spain, usually in autumn/winter (November/December). It is part of the international calendar of certified marathons. The race starts and finishes on the iconic Paseo del Parque, following a mostly flat urban course that allows amateur and elite runners to combine performance with the charm of the city and its mild climate. A half-marathon is also held on the same day, sharing part of the course. The event is characterized by professional organization, a vibrant atmosphere, and the opportunity to experience a great running celebration in the heart of the Costa del Sol.