On 15 March 2026, Barcelona will once again beat to the rhythm of thousands of footsteps. The Zurich Marató Barcelona 2026 will celebrate its 47th edition as one of Europe’s most attractive city marathons: a fast course, a Mediterranean atmosphere and a profile built both for chasing personal bests and for unforgettable debuts over 42.195 km.
After a record-breaking 2025, with massive participation, historic course records and an increasingly refined layout, the 2026 edition is set to be one of the standout races in the international calendar. If you’re thinking about adding the Barcelona Marathon 2026 to your season, this guide will help you decide, plan and arrive ready on the start line at Passeig de Gràcia.
Why Zurich Marató Barcelona 2026 is set to be a landmark edition
The organisers arrive at 2026 on the back of a historic 2025: record number of bibs, a huge international presence and new course records in both the men’s and women’s races. All of this has reinforced the event’s status as a top European city marathon, boosted by its Mediterranean character and an increasingly optimised route.
Zurich Marató Barcelona is also a World Athletics Label Road Race and a qualifier for the World Marathon Majors and Boston, which attracts runners from all over the world looking for a fast, accurately measured course and an official time.
Key numbers from 2025 pointing towards 2026
The 2025 edition produced figures that explain the leap in quality and set the tone for Zurich Marató Barcelona 2026:
- 27,000 bib numbers, the highest participation since 2016.
- More than 6,500 women in the race, representing 25% of the field.
- 60% international runners, from over 100 different nationalities.
- New course records in both categories, with winning times under 2:05 for men and under 2:20 for women.
- Tens of entertainment points and over 200,000 spectators lining the streets.
These numbers show much more than a one-off success: they confirm a marathon that is growing in level, participation and global visibility. For 2026, the organisers are sticking to a central, fast and scenic course, fully embraced by a city that is used to hosting major sporting events.
Date, schedule and registration for Zurich Marató Barcelona 2026
If you want to secure your spot in the Barcelona Marathon 2026, it’s important to keep the key dates in mind. The race will take place on Sunday 15 March 2026, with the start scheduled around 8:00–8:30 a.m. in the very heart of the city.
- Race day: Sunday 15 March 2026.
- Start time: 8:00–8:30 a.m. (wave start by pace corrals).
- Start line: Passeig de Gràcia.
- Finish line: Arc de Triomf.
- Registration: open from June 2025 until the days leading up to the race through the official registration platform.
Entry fees are organised in price tiers depending on date and availability. The earlier you register, the cheaper your bib will be. It’s common for the last tiers to sell out weeks before the race, especially among international runners.
You can find full details on registration, rules and included services on the official website, as well as direct access to the online sign-up form.
Barcelona Marathon 2026 course: fast, monumental and PB-friendly
Since 2024, the Zurich Marató Barcelona course has been redesigned to be flatter, more central and smoother. The 2025 edition proved just how effective that layout is: only 134 metres of total elevation gain, long straights, fewer turns and a route that showcases many of the city’s most iconic spots.
The 2026 event will follow the same philosophy: an urban circuit that perfectly balances speed and spectacle, ideal for first-timers and experienced runners alike.
From Passeig de Gràcia to the Eixample: the first 10 kilometres
The start on Passeig de Gràcia places you right in the middle of modernist architecture and a wide avenue, perfect for settling into your pace without stress. The opening kilometres take you through the Eixample district along streets such as Aragó and València, including a long straight of almost 5 km that makes it easy to lock into your target pace.
This is where you should focus on staying relaxed, avoiding unnecessary surges and letting the official pacers do the pacing for you.
Meridiana and Sagrada Família: up to halfway
A section along Avinguda Meridiana, with gentle undulations, leads into one of the most photogenic parts of the race: the area around Sagrada Família, roughly at kilometre 14. This is where the elevation is slightly tougher, but the crowd support is also at its loudest.
The half-marathon mark is reached in a central, manageable section, which makes it easy to keep your head in the race. This is a crucial checkpoint: if you arrive over-extended, easing off is wise; if you feel great, it’s still too early to start attacking.
Paral·lel, Colón and the seafront: where the race unfolds
Between kilometres 21 and 30 the course heads towards Avinguda Paral·lel, the Christopher Columbus monument, Estació de França and Parc de la Ciutadella. It’s a very scenic and generally fast stretch, with long, favourable sections and frequent aid stations.
Being close to the waterfront and landmarks such as Hotel Arts or Torre Glòries gives an extra dose of motivation, but it’s also the build-up to the traditional marathon “wall”. From kilometre 30 onwards, pacing and fuelling become absolutely decisive.
From kilometre 30 to the Arc de Triomf finish
The second half of the course is slightly more favourable in terms of elevation, but the 30–40 km segment is where fatigue usually bites hardest. If you respected your pacing plan early on, this is where it pays off.
The final approach to the Arc de Triomf is one of the most emotional moments of the race. The crowds, the blue carpet and the finish-line setup turn the last few hundred metres into a tunnel of noise and joy, whether you’re crossing with a PB or simply completing your marathon dream.
Weather in Barcelona in March: what race day usually looks like
One of the big advantages of the Zurich Marató Barcelona 2026 is the weather. In March, Barcelona typically offers mild conditions, with morning lows around 8-10 °C and daytime highs between 15-18 °C. That’s a near-perfect range for marathon running, as long as you manage your clothing and hydration sensibly.
- Cool start: bring a light throwaway layer or an old sweatshirt you can discard just before the start.
- Potential humidity: the sea can make it feel warmer; sip small amounts at every aid station rather than chugging water all at once.
- Mediterranean sun: even without extreme heat, sunglasses and a cap or visor can make a big difference.
- Variable wind: if there’s a breeze along open sections, tuck in behind runners at your pace for extra protection.
Race strategy for Barcelona Marathon 2026
The Barcelona Marathon 2026 course rewards smart pacing. The organisers provide 35 official pacers at target times of 2:45, 3:00, 3:15, 3:30, 3:45, 4:00 and 4:30, which makes it easy to lock into a specific goal from the start.
If you’re running your first marathon
- Pick a pace at which you can still speak in short sentences for the first couple of hours.
- Don’t “hang on” to a faster pacing group just in case; it’s better to be slightly conservative and finish strong.
- Allow yourself a few seconds of walking at some aid stations if needed; you’ll lose less time than if you hit the wall hard at 30 km.
- Break the race into mental blocks: 0–15 km (control), 15–30 km (steady rhythm), 30–42 km (managing fatigue).
If you’re targeting sub-4 hours
- Run with the 4:00 pacer or the 3:45 group if you have previous marathon experience and feel confident.
- Use the long, flat straights through the Eixample to keep your pace constant and avoid surges.
- On Paral·lel and along the seafront, don’t let the crowd energy push you into reckless splits.
- If you reach kilometre 35 with some reserve, you can gradually squeeze the pace towards the Arc de Triomf.
If you’re chasing a PB
- Stick to an almost even-paced strategy, with marginal adjustments depending on the terrain.
- Take advantage of the long València Street straight and other favourable segments to sit in with strong groups.
- Don’t experiment with shoes, gels or drinks on race day; test everything during long runs in training.
- Treat the last 10 km as a controlled progression, not as an all-out sprint from kilometre 30.
How to prepare for Zurich Marató Barcelona 2026
The timing of the race makes it easy to fit into a 2026 marathon calendar. A mid-March date allows you to:
- Build a strong aerobic base through autumn and early winter.
- Include a half marathon test in January or February, either in Barcelona or elsewhere.
- Use the cooler months to work on strength and running technique without the stress of summer heat.
A classic 12–16-week plan with 3–5 weekly runs, 1–2 strength sessions and steadily increasing long runs will be more than enough for most runners. The key is to adapt total volume and intensity to your background and allow for proper recovery.
The official website offers basic training plans, and you can always complement them with dedicated running tools such as SnapRace to tailor sessions and paces to your specific goal.
Race-day logistics: travel, accommodation and Expo Sports
Barcelona is very well connected by air, rail and road, which makes it easy to combine the marathon with a long weekend trip. To minimise stress on race day, keep these points in mind:
- Accommodation: pick a hotel or apartment with good metro access to both the start area (Passeig de Gràcia) and the finish (Arc de Triomf). You don’t need to sleep right next to the start line if you’re close to a station.
- Bib pick-up: this takes place at Expo Sports, the race expo held in the days before the marathon. Visiting on Friday or early Saturday is usually the most relaxed option.
- Public transport: several roads are closed on race morning, so metro and suburban trains are the most reliable way to reach the start.
- Post-race sightseeing: save your big visits for after the race; an easy stroll around the city is perfect for recovery, but a full tourist schedule the day before is not.
If you travel with friends or family, Zurich Marató Barcelona is especially attractive: while you run, the city offers countless options for supporters, from cheering spots along the course to museums, parks and cafés.
Barcelona 2026: a finish line worth adding to your bucket list
The Zurich Marató Barcelona 2026 brings together almost everything a runner can ask from a marathon: friendly weather, a fast and modern course, a world-class city backdrop, solid organisation and an electric atmosphere from start to finish.
Whether it’s your first marathon or one more ticked off your list of great races, earning a medal under the Arc de Triomf is likely to become one of your most cherished running memories. The rest is up to you: plan wisely, train smart and arrive in Barcelona ready to enjoy every single kilometre.
On 15 March 2026, the city will be waiting. The only question is: will you be on the start line?