The Valencia Marathon 2025, officially Maratón Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Zurich 2025, will be held on Sunday 7 December 2025 and is once again set to be the year-end highlight of the road racing calendar. With 36,000 bibs, 67% of runners coming from abroad and a completely flat route at sea level, Valencia has earned its reputation as Spain’s fastest marathon and one of the top races in the world for personal bests.
If you’re looking for a race to set a new PB, make your marathon debut on a highly organised course or close out 2025 with a major challenge, this guide covers everything you need: date, course, weather, registration, race strategy and how SnapRace can help you prepare in the City of Running.
Why Valencia Marathon 2025 is the key race of December
Valencia has spent years building a clear identity as “the City of Running”, and the marathon is its flagship event. It has been recognised as the best marathon in Spain by the national federation, holds a World Athletics Platinum Label and regularly attracts an elite field capable of producing some of the fastest times in history. The course records tell the story: 2:01:48 by Sisay Lemma (2023) and 2:14:58 by Amane Beriso (2022) place the race among the quickest in the world.
The 2025 edition also comes with huge economic and media impact: an estimated contribution of more than 40 million euros to the local economy, hotel occupancy above 90% and live coverage on more than 400 TV channels worldwide. Valencia truly lives the marathon as a city-wide event, with road closures, schedule changes to other sports events and a massive operational effort to ensure that 42.195 km take centre stage.
Date, schedule and registration for Valencia Marathon 2025
Here are the essential details if you want to be on the start line of the Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich 2025:
- Race date: Sunday 7 December 2025.
- Start time: 8:15 a.m. (wave start by pace corrals).
- Start area: Plaça de la Marató.
- Finish line: the blue bridge over water at the City of Arts and Sciences.
- Distance: 42.195 km, certified by World Athletics, RFEA and AIMS.
Registration is managed through the official Valencia Ciudad del Running website, with tiered prices depending on the date and bib availability. The race sells out almost every year, so if you’re serious about running it, it’s smart to secure your bib months in advance.
The 42K 2025 regulations page includes full details on race rules, cut-off times, corrals, services and specific conditions for foreign athletes.
Valencia Marathon 2025 course: completely flat and at sea level
One of the main reasons why Valencia Marathon 2025 is a magnet for runners chasing PBs is its layout: an urban, asphalt course that is 100% flat and at sea level. The organisers themselves describe it as “the perfect course for setting a personal best”.
The route keeps the essence of recent years: start at Plaça de la Marató, a loop through some of the city’s most emblematic neighbourhoods and a spectacular finish on the blue bridge above the water in the City of Arts and Sciences, arguably one of the most impressive finish lines in marathon running.
Start at Plaça de la Marató and the opening kilometres
The early kilometres are designed to let the massive field spread out smoothly. Wide avenues, minimal turns and a perfectly flat profile make it easy to slip into your target pace very quickly. This is the time to keep a cool head, follow your assigned corral and latch on to the pacer for your chosen finish time.
City centre, Mestalla stadium and lively neighbourhoods
As the race unfolds, the course takes you past some of the most atmospheric spots: close to the historic centre, around Mestalla stadium and through neighbourhoods where the crowds turn the marathon into a street festival. One of Valencia’s biggest strengths is the atmosphere: applause, music, drumming groups and creative signs almost from start to finish.
The final stretch into the City of Arts and Sciences
Once you’ve battled through the classic marathon “wall” around kilometre 30, the course heads back towards the City of Arts and Sciences. Even as fatigue builds, the terrain remains favourable and crowd support intensifies as you get closer to the finish.
The last kilometre inside the complex is a true highlight: water on both sides, futuristic architecture and the blue bridge creating the feeling of stepping onto a stage built just for runners. If your pacing and fuelling have gone to plan, this is where you squeeze out those final seconds for your personal best.
Weather in Valencia in December: a strong ally for your marathon
December in Valencia usually means mild temperatures and little risk of extreme cold. Typical race conditions are 8–10 °C at the start and 14–18 °C by late morning. The city also enjoys plenty of clear or lightly overcast days at that time of year.
- Ideal temperature range: cool enough for hard efforts without being uncomfortable.
- Some humidity: the proximity to the sea can make it feel warmer, so consistent, small sips of fluid are important even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Moderate wind: in breezier years, running in a group is the easiest way to conserve energy.
Sites like 365Rider’s Valencia 2025 guide include recent weather-based advice and gear suggestions tailored to typical race conditions.
Race strategy for Valencia Marathon 2025
A flat course invites aggressive pacing—but it also punishes early mistakes. The key to Valencia Marathon 2025 is discipline: steady pacing, a solid fuelling plan and full respect for the first 25–30 kilometres.
If this is your first marathon
- Set a conservative goal pace; your first marathon is for learning, not for suffering unnecessarily.
- Use the official pacers instead of obsessing over your watch every kilometre.
- Plan a gel or carb intake roughly every 30–35 minutes, plus small sips at almost every aid station.
- Break the race into blocks: 0–15 km (control), 15–30 km (steady rhythm), 30–42 km (fatigue management).
If you’re aiming for sub-3:30 or sub-4
- Base your target pace on a recent half-marathon, not wishful thinking; Valencia is fast, but not magic.
- Keep your pace very steady along the long, flat avenues and avoid “yo-yo” surges when the group speeds up.
- Commit to your fuelling plan from kilometre 5 onwards, even if you feel great.
- If you reach kilometre 35 feeling strong, tighten the pace gradually rather than launching an all-out attack.
If you’re chasing an ambitious PB
Valencia has become the ideal proving ground for ambitious time goals—sub-3, sub-2:50 and beyond. In that case:
- Stick to an even-pace strategy with a small safety margin over the first half.
- Look for strong groups at your level to share the workload in exposed sections.
- Dial in your nutrition during specific long runs and execute the plan exactly on race day.
- Avoid last-minute gear experiments; test shoes, socks, gels and drinks in training.
How to prepare for Valencia Marathon 2025
One of the big advantages of Valencia Marathon 2025 is its position in the calendar. With race day on 7 December, you can structure your season with a long, patient build-up through summer and autumn.
- July–August: aerobic base, general strength and running drills.
- September–October: start a 12–14-week specific plan with progressively longer long runs.
- November: sharpen your race pace and include a test race over 10K or half marathon.
- Early December: taper time—reduce volume while keeping a little speed in the legs.
The official website includes useful information and resources for planning, and you can complement your plan with tools like SnapRace: design customised routes with the right distance and elevation, follow turn-by-turn navigation and review your training history in context as you fine-tune your marathon strategy.
Runner logistics: travel, accommodation and race services
Valencia is a runner-friendly city: a nearby airport, strong rail links and plenty of accommodation. The flip side is that marathon weekend sends demand through the roof, so booking early is essential.
- Where to stay: aim for good access to both start and finish (city centre, Ruzafa, City of Arts and Sciences area), even if you’re not right on the course.
- Race expo: bib pick-up takes place at the expo, with stands from brands, nutrition companies and other races. Visiting on Friday or early Saturday is usually the most relaxed option.
- Transport: race-day road closures are extensive; public transport is the safest way to reach the start.
- Sightseeing: save long walks and intense sightseeing for after the marathon—your legs will thank you.
Valencia 2025: a blue finish line to end your year in style
The Valencia Marathon 2025 offers almost everything a runner could ask for: a lightning-fast course, runner-friendly weather, meticulous organisation and a city that throws itself behind the event. It’s no surprise that thousands of international runners choose it as their main goal race year after year.
If you’re looking for a year-end race, an excuse to visit Valencia or the perfect stage for your next personal best, that blue bridge in the City of Arts and Sciences deserves a place on your bucket list. On 7 December 2025, the City of Running will be waiting—the rest is up to you.