The Race
| Next Race Date | To be Confirmed |
|---|---|
| Course type | Loop, finishing at the Empúries museum |
| Registration | Open online entry; no entries on the race weekend |
| Ballot opens | No ballot |
| Start | Passeig d’Empúries, near the museum, 08:30 |
| Finish | Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya-Empúries |
| Total finishers | 116 (marathon, 2026) |
| Avg race-day temp | Not confirmed; recent editions have ranged from cool rain to heat |
| Cutoff time | 5 hours |
| Free race-day transport | No |
| Course certification | Homologated, according to the organiser |
History
The Marató d’Empúries was first run in 2003, created by the town of L’Escala as part of its role in the Barcelona Universal Forum of Cultures in 2004. Its identity came from where it finishes: the Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya-Empúries, beside the excavated remains of Emporion, the Greek trading town founded in the sixth century BC, and the Roman city built next to it.
The course was measured by the Catalan athletics federation from the early editions, and the fastest times were set in the race’s first decade: 2:23:45 by Sergio Enríquez Castells in 2012 and 3:02:01 by Anna Rosa Moreno in 2006.
Around the marathon the town has built a full running weekend, adding a half marathon, a 10K, a 5K and children’s races, and in the two most recent years the weekend passed 2,000 entries. The marathon has stayed small. At the most recent edition, the 21st, on 19 April 2026, 161 started and 116 finished on a hot day. Marc Otero won in 2:40:30 and Anna Codina in 3:16:29, and the race doubled as the Girona provincial championship.
Regulars value what it lacks: crowds. Runners describe long, lonely stretches after the half-marathon field turns off, a strong tramuntana in some years and real heat in others, and a jar of L’Escala’s salted anchovies in the finisher’s bag.
The course
The organiser publishes no course map. The line on this page is the route of a recent edition. It starts on Passeig d’Empúries, the seafront road between L’Escala and the ruins, and finishes beside the Empúries museum about 1 km north; runners have described walking from the ruins to the start line.
The course is two different loops sharing one road. The first runs west and then north on the old Empúries road into Sant Pere Pescador, across the flat farmland behind the coast, to a turn at km 6.6, and comes back past Sant Martí d’Empúries and the museum at km 10.7. It then loops through L’Escala: into town at km 12.5, along Avinguda del Montgó and out to the port at km 16 to 18, and back through the streets to km 22. The half marathon leaves the course around km 15. From km 23 the marathon repeats the northern out-and-back, turning at km 28.6, passes the museum again at km 32.8 and finishes with a second, different loop through the old town before running back to the ruins.
It is almost flat: the whole course stays below about 22 m. The only climbs are short rises of 10 to 15 m in town, at km 12.5 and again at km 34.5, at km 22 and, hardest because it comes late, at the top of the old town at km 38.4.
Kilometre by kilometre
Km 0 to 11: with the half marathon, north and back. The start at 08:30 is shared with the half marathon, so the first kilometres are the busiest of the day, and runners have described a crowded first kilometre; settle in. The course runs west on the GIP-6307 and north on the old Empúries road, across flat farmland near the Fluvià wetlands, to a turn in Sant Pere Pescador at km 6.6, and comes back past the walled village of Sant Martí d’Empúries at km 10 and the museum at km 10.7.
Km 11 to 22: through L’Escala to the port. The course runs along the Portitxol beach and into town, with the first short rise at km 12.5, then down Avinguda del Montgó and out to the port at km 16 to 18. Around km 15 the half marathon leaves the course, and from here the full-marathon field, around 150 runners, spreads out quickly. The way back through the streets rises about 17 m between km 18 and km 22, gently.
Km 22 to 33: the lonely lap. The marathon repeats the northern out-and-back alone, turning again at km 28.6. This is where the wind counts: the tramuntana, the strong north wind of the Empordà, blows some years, and without a group there is no shelter. It is also where a 2026 runner reported no water between about km 28 and km 34, on a day hot enough that 46 of 161 starters did not finish. Aid is officially about every 5 km. Carry a bottle or drink well at the station before it.
Km 33 to 42.2: through town and back to the ruins. After the museum at km 32.8 the course climbs a short 10 to 15 m into town at km 34.5, runs down to the seafront and then climbs through the old town to the highest point of the day, 22 m on the chart, at km 38.4. It is short, and it arrives when every rise feels bigger than its height. The last kilometres run west and back to the finish beside the museum. Supporters gather in town and at the finish.
There is no blue line. Follow the marshals and signage, particularly after the half-marathon split, when there may be no runner in sight to follow.
A busy start with the half marathon, flat roads north into Sant Pere Pescador and back past Sant Martí and the museum.
Short rises in town, out to the port, and the half marathon turns off around km 15.
The northern out-and-back again, alone and exposed to the wind. A 2026 runner found no water from km 28 to 34: carry a bottle.
Two short climbs in town, the high point at km 38.4, then the finish beside the museum.
Course Map
The course: two northern out-and-backs on the old Empúries road and two loops through L’Escala, finishing beside the ruins. Tap a marker for the start, the finish, the turns and the Marathon Fair, and scrub the slider or press play to move the orange marker along the course with the elevation profile beneath it.
Pacers
Not confirmed. A 2025 runner who paced the race reported groups for 3:15, 3:30, 3:45 and 4:00, and a small pacer group was mentioned in 2026, but the organiser has not published a pacer list. There are no pens; with a field of this size none are needed.
The Marató d’Empúries shares its start with a half marathon many times its size, and for the first 15 km it feels like a busy race. Then the half turns off and the marathon field, around 150 starters, thins to runners strung out along the old Empúries road. Regulars value the quiet. First-timers should know it is coming: there may be nobody to shelter behind in the wind and nobody to pace off in the last 10 km. Bring your own drinks plan and run your own race.
Spring on the Costa Brava is unpredictable, and the race has had both extremes recently. In 2025 runners described a cool day with rain and a hard tramuntana, the north wind that sweeps down the Empordà plain. In 2026 it was hot enough before the 08:30 start that runners were sweating on the line, and more than a quarter of the field did not finish.
Plan for either. Shorts and a light top suit most years. Pack a light windproof or a bin bag for the wait on a cool morning; there is a free cloakroom at the finish, so a layer can be left there. On a warm forecast, a cap, sunscreen and a handheld bottle count for more than anything else: the field is small, much of the course is exposed farmland road, and aid is about every 5 km. Arm warmers that push down are more flexible than a jacket.
Entry
Entry is open online in advance, with no ballot, and it is cheap: €30 for the marathon at the most recent edition. There is no registration on the race weekend; the organiser takes no new marathon, half-marathon or 10K entries on the Saturday or Sunday.
The fee buys an unusually local race pack: a technical shirt, a jar of L’Escala anchovies, a commemorative medal, a photo diploma and other products. The marathon is open to adults, with age categories from 18. There is no good-for-age scheme, no charity route and no tour-operator allocation, and no need to rush: the marathon field is around 150 and has not been reported to sell out.
The organiser has not published a transfer, deferral or refund policy in its main race information; check the terms on the registration page before paying. Each edition’s date and entry opening are announced on the L’Escala sports website. Wait for the official date before booking anything non-refundable.
Fast runner standards
There is no good-for-age or fast-runner entry route. Everyone enters the same way.
Official Marató d’Empúries page →Race Weekend
Marathon Fair
Bib and chip collection is at the Marathon Fair in the Sala Polivalent Municipal de L’Escala, in the town, on the Saturday before the race. In 2026 it opened from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00. It is number collection and race information, not a commercial expo, and no medical certificate was required.
There was also race-morning collection at the Empúries museum from 07:30, an hour before the start. That helps runners arriving late on Saturday, but it depends on the organiser repeating it, so check the arrangements for your year. The Sala Polivalent is about 2 km from the museum; runners staying by the ruins can walk along the seafront or take a short taxi.
Getting to the start
The marathon starts at 08:30 near the Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya-Empúries, together with the half marathon.
Getting there. There is no race shuttle. Runners staying at Empúries or on the Portitxol seafront walk; the Hostal Spa Empúries is 600 m from the museum. From L’Escala’s old town it is a flat walk of about 2 km along the coastal promenade. From Riells or the port, book a taxi the day before or drive, and check where parking is allowed near the museum.
The start area. Bibs can be collected at the museum from 07:30. A free cloakroom operates, and changing rooms are available at the sports pavilion in town. In recent years runners have walked from the archaeological site to the start line behind costumed Roman soldiers, a ceremony worth arriving in time for. There are no pens; the half marathon is much larger than the marathon, so line up by pace.
The limit and the finish. The limit is five hours, and no intermediate cutoffs are published. The finish is back at the museum, with medical services on hand; the medal, shirt, anchovies and photo diploma make up the pack. The cloakroom and changing rooms mean there is no rush. Walk back along the promenade or take a taxi to the old town.
Getting to L’Escala. The nearest stations are Figueres and Flaçà, both linked to L’Escala by bus; Figueres-Vilafant has high-speed trains from Barcelona. Girona is about 45 minutes by road and Barcelona about an hour and a half.
Nutrition on course
The organiser provides aid about every 5 km and has not published a station list or product details. Runners in 2026 reported water and Isostar, a sports drink, in the later stages.
The small field changes the calculation. On a hot day in 2026, one runner reported no water between about km 28 and km 34, the second northern out-and-back, and 46 of 161 starters failed to finish. Whether or not that gap recurs, 5 km between stations on an exposed road in spring sun is a long way. Carry a handheld bottle or soft flask and refill it at every station, and bring your own gels: none are listed. On a cool, windy day runners drink too little because they do not feel hot; drink at each station anyway.
Spectating
The course keeps coming back past the ruins and through the town, so supporters can manage on foot along the seafront promenade. The museum area sees runners near the start and at km 10.7, km 32.8 and the finish, and the Portitxol beach is 20 m from the course at km 11.2 and km 33.2. In town, the course passes Riells at km 14.5 and km 19.8, and climbs through the old town around km 34 to 38.
For a 4-hour runner, the museum passes come at about 09:31 and 11:37, the port at about 10:07, the old-town climb at about 12:08 and the finish at about 12:30. After the half marathon turns off, long stretches have almost nobody watching, so a supporter in the right place late in the race is worth a great deal. No live tracking has been announced.
- Watch the 08:30 start on Passeig d’Empúries
- Walk to the Portitxol beach for km 11.2
- Stay by the ruins for km 32.8, then the finish at the museum
- Skip the start and have breakfast in the old town
- Watch at Riells or the port for km 14.5 to 18
- Stay in the old town for the late climb around km 38
- Walk 2 km along the promenade to the museum for the finish, or take a taxi
Post-race food
L’Escala is an anchovy town. Its salted anchovies turn up on almost every menu, and the race pack includes a jar: on bread rubbed with tomato, pa amb tomàquet, they make the obvious first plate after a marathon. The closest restaurants to the finish are at the Hostal Spa Empúries beside the ruins and the Portitxol beach, Villa Teresita and the Bistro del Mar, which save a walk on tired legs.
For more choice, walk the promenade into the old town, where restaurants run from the old quarter to the port. Rice with seafood, grilled fish and suquet, a Catalan fish stew, are the staples. Sunday lunch runs late in Catalonia and restaurants fill with local families, so book ahead for a group.
Where to Stay
Stay near the finish. The race finishes beside the ruins at the Empúries museum and starts about 1 km south on the same seafront road, so the closer a hotel is to the ruins, the simpler both ends of the race.
Empúries and Portitxol
The strip beside the archaeological site and the Portitxol beach is the best base, and the course runs along it at km 11 and km 33. The Hostal Spa Empúries sits beside the ruins, 600 m from the finish, open all year, with a spa for the day after. There are few rooms and they are the most expensive in L’Escala on race weekend. Price tier: ££££.
L’Escala old town
The old town is the best balance: restaurants, the seafront and the anchovy shops, about 2 km from the finish along the flat promenade. The course climbs through it late in the race. Saturday night in April is quiet compared with summer. Jardí de Pedra and Can Català are here. Price tier: ££.
Sant Martí d’Empúries
Sant Martí d’Empúries is a tiny walled medieval village on the northern side of the ruins, 400 m from the finish and on the course five times. It is very quiet and has little accommodation, and some places open only from spring. Check dates.
Riells, the port and La Clota
Riells and the port have more hotels and apartments along the bay and near the harbour, practical for a group or a longer stay, and the course passes both. They are 3 km or more from the finish, so a taxi or car is sensible on race morning. Price tier: ££.
L’Escala is a seasonal resort, and some hotels only open from Easter. Once the date is announced, book a refundable room at Empúries or in the old town promptly; there are only a handful beside the ruins.
Recommended hotels
Beside the archaeological site and the Portitxol beach, 50 m from the course at km 11.3 and km 33.3. Open all year, with a spa and two restaurants. Few rooms.
A quieter place known for its food, on the west side of town. Check the walk or book a taxi for race morning.
A small hotel in the old town, a minute from the beach, with a flat walk along the promenade to the start. Check April opening and breakfast time for an 08:30 start.
A family-run value option in town, a slightly longer walk to the start.
Booking timeline
Wait for the official date. The organiser announces it on the L’Escala sports website, and recent editions have been in mid to late April. Nothing should be booked non-refundably before then. Once the date is out, book the hotel first: the entry fee is modest and the marathon does not sell out, but the rooms beside the ruins are few and April can bring Easter visitors to the Costa Brava.
For flights, compare Girona-Costa Brava (GRO), about 45 minutes by road, with Barcelona (BCN), about an hour and a half. By rail, take a train to Figueres or Flaçà and a bus to L’Escala. Enter online before the race weekend, since there are no entries on the Saturday or Sunday, and arrive by Saturday afternoon to collect the bib before the fair closes.
See & Do
The finish is beside the ruins, and everything below is within a flat 2 km of the line.
MAC-Empúries archaeological site
The Greek town of Emporion and the Roman city beside it, with a museum, laid out on low ground above the sea. Visit on the Friday or Saturday; the site is large and uneven underfoot. Check opening hours and prices.
Sant Martí d’Empúries
A small walled village on the site of the first Greek settlement, with a church and cafés on its square. A short, level walk from the ruins and the easiest outing on the day after.
L’Escala old town and seafront
The old fishing quarter and its promenade, reached along the coast from Empúries. Flat walking and lunch, and the anchovy shops, some of which offer visits.
After the Race
Late April in the Empordà is green and mild, before the summer crowds. L’Escala sits between two of Catalonia’s best day trips: Figueres and the Dalí Theatre-Museum, and Girona’s old town above the Onyar. Cadaqués, at the end of the Cap de Creus road, is worth two nights. The ruins themselves deserve a slow morning without a race number.
See the Greek and Roman ruins properly, without a race number, and walk the flat promenade to the walled village of Sant Martí d’Empúries for lunch.
The Dalí Theatre-Museum, the artist’s own monument to himself. It is closed on Mondays in April, so go on the Tuesday after the race or the Saturday before.
Coloured houses above the Onyar, a cathedral at the top of a Baroque stairway and a flat riverside for tired legs, with an airport 25 minutes away.
A whitewashed fishing village at the end of the Cap de Creus road, with Dalí’s house at Portlligat, open daily in April and bookable in advance.