The Race
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Course Type | Point-to-point, flat city streets |
| Start | Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona |
| Finish | Arc de Triomf (Passeig de Lluís Companys) |
| Registration | Open entry — no ballot |
| WA Label | Elite Label |
| Total Finishers | 25,157 (2026) |
| Field Capacity | 32,000 |
| Avg Race Day Temp | 12–16°C |
| Cutoff Time | 6 hours 30 minutes |
| Course Certification | AIMS / World Athletics certified |
Barcelona didn't become a fast marathon city by accident. The course was redesigned in 2024 to replace an earlier route that wound through more residential streets with a layout that prioritises long, straight avenues and minimal gradient. The Eixample grid and the broad coastal boulevard give runners the kind of uninterrupted kilometre blocks that shave seconds off sustained effort. The result was immediate: the 2026 edition hosted Fotyen Tesfay's 2:10:51 debut, the second-fastest women's marathon performance in history, placing the course among the four fastest in the world.
The race began in 1978 in Palafrugell on the Costa Brava and moved to Barcelona in 1980. After the 2024 course revision, fields grew from a historical ceiling of 20,000 runners to a sold-out 32,000 for the 2026 edition, with all bibs gone three months before race day. Two-thirds of registered runners come from outside Spain, representing over 100 nationalities. Female participation has crossed 30% of the field.
The course is a modified point-to-point. The start is on Passeig de Gràcia; the finish is at the Arc de Triomf on Passeig de Lluís Companys, a short distance to the north-east. The net elevation gain is approximately 130 to 178 metres distributed across shallow gradients — there is no significant hill. The opening 19 kilometres use the long straight avenues of the Eixample grid: Gran Via, Avinguda Diagonal, and the connecting streets, with 90-degree turns at each junction. The Sagrada Família appears around kilometre 14. The route reaches the Mediterranean seafront between kilometres 26 and 30, running along the Barceloneta promenade: completely flat, exposed, with a sea breeze that can develop into a moderate headwind. From kilometre 30 the route turns inland through Poblenou, past the Torre Glòries tower, through Parc de la Ciutadella, and finishes at the Arc de Triomf.
Entry
| Registration Type | Open entry — no ballot or lottery |
| Next Race | 14 March 2027 |
| Registration | Open now |
| Entry Fee | From approximately €70, tiered pricing |
| WA Label | Elite Label |
The Barcelona Marathon is open entry — no ballot, no lottery. Registration for the next edition on 14 March 2027 is open now at zurichmaratobarcelona.es. Entry fees use a tiered pricing model: earlier registrations cost less, starting at approximately €70 and rising through tiers to around €100 as capacity fills. There is no charity place programme. Bib transfers to third parties are not permitted.
The first tranche of entries at each tier typically sells within 24 to 48 hours of opening. In recent editions the race has sold out at least three months before race day. Register now to secure a place at the current tier price. Book accommodation at the same time — Eixample and El Born hotels within 1 kilometre of the Arc de Triomf finish fill quickly after registration opens, and marathon weekend rates run 40 to 80% above normal March prices. Book at least 20 weeks before race day.
Race Weekend
Expo and Bib Collection
Bib collection is at Expo Sports, Hall 7 of Fira Barcelona on Plaça del Marquès de Foronda in the Sants-Montjuïc neighbourhood. Metro L1 or L3 to Espanya, then a short walk. Allow 30 to 45 minutes to collect your bib and bag — Saturday afternoon is the busiest period. In recent editions the expo ran from Thursday afternoon through Saturday evening. Bib collection closes on Saturday. There is no race-day collection under any circumstances. Check official race communications at zurichmaratobarcelona.es for the current edition's hours.
The expo includes commercial exhibitors, the official HOKA merchandise stand, and medal engraving services. Do not buy shoes, insoles, or socks at the expo and wear them on race day — anything new on the feet on Sunday has not been tested over 42 kilometres.
Getting to the Start
The start corrals are on Passeig de Gràcia with the gun at 08:30. From Eixample hotels on or near Passeig de Gràcia or Gran Via, the corrals are a 10 to 15-minute walk. Leave your hotel by 07:30 — the corral entry process for 32,000 runners takes longer than it looks on paper. Corrals are colour-coded and strictly enforced: check your bib colour against the corral map in the race pack before race morning. You cannot move to a faster corral on the morning. Bag drop is at the start village on Passeig de Gràcia; bags are transported to the finish at the Arc de Triomf.
March mornings in Barcelona start at 9 to 12°C at the 08:30 gun, warming through the race. A thin disposable layer for the start is advisable; discard at the 2km mark once the field loosens and the temperature rises.
The Course
The opening 19 kilometres run the long straight avenues of the Eixample grid: Gran Via, Avinguda Diagonal, and the connecting streets, with 90-degree turns at each junction. The Sagrada Família appears at kilometre 14. Between kilometres 26 and 30 the route follows the Barceloneta promenade along the Mediterranean seafront — completely flat, exposed, with a sea breeze that can develop into a moderate headwind. Sunglasses are worth packing for this section; the morning light off the water is bright and flat. From kilometre 30 the route turns inland through Poblenou, past the Torre Glòries tower, through Parc de la Ciutadella, and finishes at the Arc de Triomf on Passeig de Lluís Companys. The final 5 kilometres are flat and urban; the finish straight is broad and slightly downhill.
Finish and Recovery
The finisher village on Passeig de Lluís Companys distributes water, isotonic drinks, and the standard recovery pack. Collect your bag near the finisher village — follow the marshals, not your phone's map. El Born neighbourhood begins immediately behind the Arc de Triomf, within 5 minutes' slow walking of the finish. Restaurant kitchens in El Born open from 13:00 on Sundays and do not require a reservation for solo or pair diners arriving before 14:00.
Where to Stay
Stay near the finish, not the start. The finish is at the Arc de Triomf in the El Born and Sant Pere neighbourhood. The eastern Eixample and El Born are the closest bases, both within 10 to 15 minutes' walk of the finish line on Passeig de Lluís Companys. Hotels on or near Passeig de Gràcia and Gran Via are the primary recommendation: well-positioned for the finish, within walking distance of the expo at Fira Barcelona, and on the start boulevard — which means zero travel on race morning.
El Born is the closest option to the Arc de Triomf, particularly for runners who prefer smaller hotels or serviced apartments. The Gothic Quarter is walkable from the finish but has heavier tourist foot traffic and noisier Saturday nights. Book at least 20 weeks before race day: marathon weekend produces a 40 to 80% hotel price uplift on the nearest properties.
On the marathon start boulevard. Rooftop pool, Michelin-starred Moments restaurant. The walk to the Arc de Triomf finish takes 20 minutes.
Ritz-Carlton tower at the Olympic Port. Pool, spa, direct sea access. Positioned between the seafront race section and the Arc de Triomf finish.
Mid-luxury option on the marathon start boulevard. Rooftop terrace with Sagrada Família views. Practical base for start and finish.
Design-forward hotel at the top of La Rambla. Good value, well positioned for the race weekend. Metro L3 to Passeig de Gràcia start takes 5 minutes.
Boutique hotel in a classic Eixample building. Rooftop terrace, honest pricing. A straightforward walk to the Arc de Triomf finish.
See & Do
The finish at the Arc de Triomf puts you in the El Born and Sant Pere neighbourhood — the most concentrated area for low-effort sightseeing in the city. All distances below are from the Arc de Triomf finish. The terrain across this area is flat; the exception is Montjuïc, which requires a cable car or funicular and is better left for a day when the legs have recovered.
Parc de la Ciutadella
0.3km / 0.2 miles south of the Arc de Triomf. The marathon course runs through this park in the final kilometres. Flat, paved paths with benches throughout; no gradient. The Cascada Monumental fountain at the northern end was partly designed by a young Gaudí. Entry free.
Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar
0.4km / 0.25 miles in El Born. A 14th-century Catalan Gothic church built by the stevedores and merchants of the Ribera quarter. The interior proportions are unusually open — wide nave, no transepts, columns spaced further apart than any Gothic church of comparable height. Entry approximately €7. Open daily.
Barceloneta Beach Promenade
0.8km / 0.5 miles south-east from the Arc de Triomf. A 1.1-kilometre stretch of flat, smooth promenade along the Mediterranean seafront. No gradient, benches throughout. In March the sea temperature is around 14°C and not swimmable, but the promenade is open and restaurants along Passeig Marítim serve coffee from 09:00. The best option on day one when the legs prefer flat ground to everything else.
Temple of Augustus
1.2km / 0.75 miles in the Gothic Quarter. Four first-century BC Roman columns in a quiet courtyard off Carrer del Paradís. Entry free, open daily 10:00 to 19:00. Reliably uncrowded even in peak season. The Gothic Quarter streets between El Born and the temple are cobbled but flat.
Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
1.8km / 1.1 miles from the Arc de Triomf; 10 minutes by metro (L4 to Joanic, or L5 to Sagrada Família). Lluís Domènech i Montaner's former hospital, built from 1901, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The pavilions are connected by underground tunnels and decorated with mosaics and sculpted tilework. Entry approximately €16; free on the first Sunday of each month.
After the Race
These itineraries are written for runners planning the Barcelona trip, not finishing it. Book early: the hotels and trains in this section fill around marathon weekend, and the best options go first. The marathon falls in March, which shapes every recommendation below. None require fast legs, significant uphill walking, or more than an hour from central Barcelona on the first night. The Montserrat cable car day trip is the one to leave until day two or three; the legs will tell you when they're ready.
Post-Carnival Sitges on the Costa Garraf. The Passeig Maritim is flat, the sea air is clear, and the train back connects directly to the airport.
Sitges with a night. The Modernista museum collection of Santiago Rusinyol, the old town lanes, and the Rodalies connection to El Prat Airport on departure.
Thirty-eight minutes north: the medieval Jewish quarter, the cathedral's Gothic nave, the coloured houses on the Onyar. The coffee shops that serve the professional cycling peloton.
Roman Tarraco's amphitheatre on the cliff, then north to Figueres and the Teatre-Museu Dalí. The largest surrealist object in the world, designed by Dalí himself.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a place in the Barcelona Marathon?
No ballot. Entry is first-come, first-served at zurichmaratobarcelona.es. Registration for 14 March 2027 is open now. Fees are tiered from approximately €70, rising as capacity fills. The first tiers sell within 24 to 48 hours of opening.
When does the Barcelona Marathon sell out?
In recent editions the race has sold out three or more months before race day. The 2026 edition sold out in early January for a mid-March race. Do not plan to register in the final weeks before the event.
Where should I stay for the Barcelona Marathon?
Near the finish at the Arc de Triomf. El Born and the eastern Eixample are within 10 to 15 minutes' walk of the finish on Passeig de Lluís Companys. Book at least 20 weeks before race day.
How do I get from Barcelona Airport to the city centre?
R2 Nord train from Terminal 2 to Passeig de Gràcia takes approximately 20 minutes, single approximately €5.05. Aerobus from both terminals to Plaça de Catalunya takes 35 minutes, single approximately €12.25.
What is the course like? Is it good for a PB?
Predominantly flat with approximately 130 to 178 metres of elevation gain. The opening 19km use the Eixample's straight avenues. The seafront section (km 26–30) is flat but exposed to wind. One of the four fastest certified marathon courses in the world. World Athletics Elite Label, Boston Qualifier.
Where do I collect my bib?
Expo Sports, Hall 7 of Fira Barcelona (Metro L1 or L3 to Espanya). Thursday afternoon through Saturday evening. No race-day collection under any circumstances.
How do I get to the start on race morning?
Start corrals on Passeig de Gràcia, gun at 08:30. 10 to 15-minute walk from Eixample hotels. Corrals are colour-coded and strictly enforced. Leave your hotel by 07:30.
What is the weather like in March in Barcelona?
12 to 14°C at the 08:30 start, rising to 16 to 18°C by midday. The seafront section can carry a headwind of 10 to 20km/h. March is relatively dry with conditions among the most favourable for marathon running of any European spring race.
What is the cut-off time?
6 hours 30 minutes.
What can I do after the race?
El Born begins immediately behind the Arc de Triomf finish. The Barceloneta promenade (0.8km from the finish) is flat for tired legs. Montserrat is best left for day two or three. See the After the Race tab for full itinerary options.