The Race
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Course Type | Road, largely flat with some gentle undulation. City loop. |
| Start | Puerta de Alcalá / Parque del Retiro area, Madrid |
| Finish | Paseo de la Castellana, Madrid |
| Registration | Open entry |
| Total Finishers | ~30,000 |
| Avg Race Day Temp | 18--22°C |
| Cutoff Time | 6 hours 30 minutes |
| Free Race Day Transport | Check official website for race morning arrangements |
| Course Certification | AIMS / World Athletics certified |
The Madrid Marathon runs on the last Sunday of April through the Spanish capital. The 2027 race is on Sunday 27 April. The course is a city loop centred on the wide boulevards of central Madrid - the Paseo del Prado, the Retiro park perimeter, and the Paseo de la Castellana - and is largely flat with a few gentle inclines. It is a reasonable PB course in cool conditions, though late April temperatures can rise by mid-morning.
The Paseo de la Castellana finish is one of the more impressive in European marathons: a wide, tree-lined boulevard flanked by office towers, with the crowds compressed into a corridor of noise for the final kilometres. The course passes several of Madrid's major landmarks - the Puerta de Alcalá, the Retiro park, the Plaza de Cibeles - at race pace.
Entry
| Registration Type | Open entry - no ballot |
| Entry Opens | Check rocktheroad.es - typically autumn for April race |
The Madrid Marathon is open entry - no ballot. Register at rocktheroad.es when entries open, typically in the autumn before the April race. Madrid has strong competition from Seville and Barcelona as a spring Spanish marathon, which means entry pressure is moderate - available to most runners who register within a few months of opening.
Race Weekend
Expo and Number Collection
Number collection takes place at IFEMA (Feria de Madrid) in the north-east of the city, typically on Friday and Saturday before race Sunday. IFEMA is accessible by Metro Line 8 from Nuevos Ministerios or directly from Barajas Airport (T4) - a useful combination for runners arriving by air. Check the official website for current opening times; collection must be completed before race morning.
Getting to the Start
The start is on the Paseo de la Castellana in central Madrid. The exact start location and any designated race transport is confirmed annually on the official website. The Metro network covers the Castellana area; check official race communications for race morning transport arrangements and EMT bus service updates on race day.
The Course
The course runs along the Paseo de la Castellana, Madrid's wide central boulevard, covering the full length from north to south. The route is predominantly flat on the Castellana itself; some sections through the residential districts add slight undulation. Late April in Madrid can reach 22 to 25°C by midday; the race starts in the morning, but the later waves will warm up significantly. Carry water from the early kilometres and do not rely solely on aid stations.
The Finish
The finish is on the Paseo de la Castellana, in the area south of Nuevos Ministerios. Multiple Metro lines serve the finish area. Post-race logistics are in the finish zone; bags are transported from the start. For the airport, Metro Line 8 from Nuevos Ministerios to T4 takes approximately 30 minutes.
Where to Stay
Stay near the finish on the Castellana or in the Salamanca district. The Paseo de la Castellana is the spine of central Madrid - hotels along it or in the surrounding Salamanca and Retiro neighbourhoods are within walking distance of the finish. The Retiro area is quieter; Salamanca is the smarter address. Chueca and Malasaña are livelier alternatives further from the finish but better for restaurants. Book four to six months in advance; April is popular and marathon weekend fills central hotels.
Grand hotel on the Paseo de la Castellana, directly on the course and close to the finish. Flagship Madrid address.
On the Paseo de la Castellana, excellent position for race day. Large rooms and good post-race facilities.
Boutique hotel in a 19th-century palace in Salamanca. Quiet street, small spa, restaurant with terrace.
Converted palace in the Retiro area, close to the park. Well-positioned for the finish and post-race recovery.
Good value near Atocha station, practical for connections to the post-race excursions to Toledo, Aranjuez, and Ávila.
See & Do
The finish on the Castellana puts you in central Madrid with the Museo del Prado and Parque del Retiro both within walking distance. The Golden Triangle of Art (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen-Bornemisza) is the obvious draw; all three are flat interiors for tired legs.
Museo del Prado
1.8km (1.1 miles) from the Castellana finish via Paseo del Prado. The national collection: Velázquez's Las Meninas, Goya's Saturn Devouring His Son and the Black Paintings, El Greco, Rubens, Titian. Flat throughout, enormous, and best on a weekday morning when the queues are manageable. Book online.
Parque del Retiro
1.5km (0.9 miles) from the finish, directly east. 118 hectares of formal gardens and woodland, with the central lake (Estanque del Retiro) and the Palacio de Cristal, a 19th-century cast-iron and glass pavilion. The lake circuit and main paths are flat. Open daily; free entry. The best post-marathon walking option in the city.
Museo Reina Sofía
2.0km (1.2 miles) from the finish near Atocha station. Picasso's Guernica (1937) is the centrepiece, painted as a response to the Nazi bombing of the Basque town during the Spanish Civil War and now displayed in a purpose-built gallery. The museum also holds a major Dalí collection. Free entry on weekday evenings from 19:00 and Sunday afternoon from 13:30.
After the Race
The Madrid Marathon runs in late April. The Castilian plateau in late April has clear air, long evenings, and the spring asparagus harvest in full swing. Atocha station, 2 kilometres from the finish, connects to Toledo in 33 minutes and to the rest of Castile. The excursions below are all by rail or bus, planned for slow post-marathon legs.
The former capital of the Spanish Empire on a granite ridge encircled by the Tagus. The Cathedral's 88 columns and El Greco's El Expolio, Santa María la Blanca - the oldest synagogue in Europe in its original location - and perdiz a la toledana at Restaurante Adolfo. 33 minutes from Atocha on the Avant.
The royal garden city on the Tagus floodplain, 45 minutes south. Late April is the peak of the white asparagus and strawberry harvests - both with protected designation of origin status. 150 hectares of flat riverside parkland. The Jardín del Príncipe is the post-marathon walk.
The best-preserved medieval walls in Spain, on the high Castilian plateau. The Paseo del Rastro - a flat gravel path along the outer base of the walls - is the post-marathon walk. Cold, clear air. The Parador de Ávila in a 15th-century palace. Yemas de Santa Teresa from La Flor de Castilla.
Three UNESCO World Heritage cities in four nights, entirely by rail and coach. Toledo (Avant, 33 min), then Segovia (Avant from Chamartín, 28 min), then Ávila (Avanza coach, 1h 15m), then back to Madrid (Media Distancia, 1h 30m). One Atocha--Chamartín transfer requires careful scheduling.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near the start or the finish for the Madrid Marathon?
Stay near the finish in central Madrid. The Salamanca district and the Retiro area are closest to the Paseo de la Castellana finish. Chueca and Malasaña are lively alternatives within easy distance.
How far in advance should I book a hotel for the Madrid Marathon?
Book four to six months in advance. Madrid has plentiful central accommodation but the marathon weekend fills the best-located hotels. April is a popular travel month.
Is there free transport to the Madrid Marathon start?
The start is accessible on the city EMT bus network and Metro. Check the official website for race morning transport arrangements and any special shuttle services.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in for the Madrid Marathon?
Salamanca is the most convenient, close to the Castellana finish. The Retiro neighbourhood is quieter and well-placed. Chueca has the best restaurants within a short walk of the route.
When does the Madrid Marathon expo open?
Number collection typically takes place at IFEMA (Feria de Madrid) on Friday and Saturday before race Sunday. IFEMA is on Metro Line 8 from Nuevos Ministerios or the airport.
What is the weather like at the Madrid Marathon?
Late April: 12--18°C at race start, rising to 22--25°C by afternoon. The Castellana route is exposed. Carry water from the early kilometres and check the forecast in the week before.
How do I get from the airport to Madrid?
Metro Line 8 from Barajas (T1-T2-T3 or T4) to central Madrid: 25--35 minutes, approximately €5. Taxis: 20--30 minutes, approximately €30--35.
Is there a bag drop at the Madrid Marathon?
Yes. Bag drop at the start area using the official race bag. Bags are transported to the finish. Check the official website for drop-off times and procedure.
Should I bring a throwaway layer to the Madrid Marathon start?
A light throwaway layer is worth bringing for the wait at the start. Late April mornings in Madrid can be cool before the sun is fully up.
How do I get back after the Madrid Marathon?
The Castellana finish is served by multiple Metro lines. For the airport, Metro Line 8 from Nuevos Ministerios to T4 takes approximately 30 minutes.