Route
Edificio EPM (finish) ── Metro, Line A ── Parque Berrío
│
Plaza Botero ─ Museo de Antioquia ─ Palacio de la Cultura
The marathon finishes at Edificio EPM beside the Parque de los Pies Descalzos, a short Metro ride from the old commercial heart of the city. Stairs are the problem on the Monday morning, not distance. The centre is almost entirely flat, so take it slowly, use the lifts at the Metro stations and sit down whenever a bench appears.
Medellín sits at about 1,495 m in the Aburrá Valley, with mountains on both sides. Early September is mild, with cool mornings, warm middays and a fair chance of an afternoon shower. Carry a light waterproof. The Metro runs through the valley on a viaduct, which gives a first-class view of the city on the short ride to the centre. Buy a rechargeable Cívica card at a station and top it up at the machine; single tickets cost little.
Plaza Botero
Get off at Parque Berrío and walk two minutes to Plaza Botero. The square holds a group of fat, round bronze sculptures by Fernando Botero, the city's most famous artist, donated to the city. The pavement is level stone, and people sit on the sculptures, which is expected. The plaza is crowded, so keep your phone out of sight and your bag in front of you, as in any busy city square.
Museo de Antioquia and the Palacio de la Cultura
The Museo de Antioquia faces the plaza and holds a large collection of Botero's work alongside Colombian art. Check the current opening days and ticket price on the museum's site, since the museum has closed on Mondays in the past. Across the plaza, the Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe is a black-and-white striped building in a Gothic style, used for exhibitions and events. Entry is cheap or free, and the building is level and has seats.
Lunch
Eat a bandeja paisa, the regional platter of beans, rice, pork, plantain, egg and avocado. Hatoviejo Centro on Carrera 47 serves it and ajiaco, and Hacienda Origen Junín on Carrera 49 offers a regional menu. Both are central and a short taxi ride from the plaza. Order the smaller portion if you still have no appetite, which is common after a marathon.
Afternoon
Parque de las Luces, where the race started, is a field of tall light columns on Avenida San Juan and is only a few minutes away. It is flat, and pleasant when the lights come on at dusk. Alternatively, return to your hotel and rest. A second round of walking on the same legs is rarely worth it.
Getting home
Medellín has two airports. José María Córdova (MDE) in Rionegro handles most international flights, and Olaya Herrera (EOH) is the closer city airport for domestic flights. Allow at least an hour for the transfer to MDE. Check the current Metro hours and museum opening times before you set out.