The next edition of the Maratón de Barcelona, or the Zurich Marató de Barcelona as it’s officially knownwill be held on March 10, 2019, and it will be its 41st edition.
The route, which has been modified after being the same for 3 years, begins and ends in Plaza Espanya, on Avenida Reina María Cristina. Recognised with Bronze Label status by the IAAF (the International Association of International Athletics) the Barcelona marathon meets its strict criteria including the participation of world class athletes, and provision of refreshment stations at every 5 km offering water and other essentials.
A scenic route combining fitness and tourist sights
The Barcelona marathon course is a circular one, predominantly flat and takes in many of the most iconic and popular tourist sights of the city as well as its most important arteries. Highlights include the Camp Nou (FC Barcelona’s home ground), Pedralbes (where the Spanish Royal family stayed while visiting the city), Passeig de Gràcia (the city’s most elegant and principal shopping avenue), La Sagrada Familia (Gaudí’s unfinished cathedral), the Natural History and Science Museum (designed by Herzog & De Meuron), Glòries (with its collection of 21st Century architecture), Ciutadella Park and Via Laietana passing directly in front of the Grand Hotel Central.
The consolidation of Barcelona’s marathon as a global reference
More than 17,000 people participated in the Barcelona Marathon in 2018, whose winners were the Kenyan athlete Anthony Maritim with a time of 2 hours, 8 minutes and 8 seconds (men's category) and also the Kenyan Ruth Chebitok (female category) with a time of 2 hours, 25 minutes and 49 seconds. The race record is held by another Kenyan, Jackson Kipkoech Kotut whose time of 2hrs, 7min 3 sec is also the fastest marathon ever run in Spain. Last year the participants had 87 different nationalities. The fact that the city of Barcelona lies at such a low altitude and that the climactic conditions at that time of year are so benign with clear blue skies practically guaranteed makes it a popular choice for marathon runners, visitors and local enthusiasts.
Other popular races in Barcelona
Interest in keeping fit generally and jogging and marathon running specifically has increased steadily over the decades and has been formalised by the proliferation of marathons, half-marathons and other road races that are held throughout the country. Each of the major Spanish cities has its own event, with Madrid and Valencia hosting Gold Label road races annually. Barcelona’s marathon is only one of the many athletic events that are organised throughout the year, both serious and more light-hearted.
Every May or April for the last 20 years the city has hosted the Cursa de Bombers, a 10 K road race through the city where firemen run the course in full garb, some even with oxygen tanks strapped to their backs. 350 firefighters participated in the 2018 race, which is also open to the general public. At Christmas the Copa Nadal is celebrated, a 200 meters open water swim across the city port held on December 25th and organised by the Club Natació Barcelona with competitors often taking part in fancy dress costume. Ongoing since 1907 it’s the oldest swimming race in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe.
Training in Barcelona against an inspirational backdrop
Anyone interested in training for the marathon whether living in Barcelona or just visiting has an exceptional array of locations to choose from. The Paseo Marítimo is an uninterrupted linear park that connects Barceloneta with Badalona, the neighbouring municipality. Completed just recently this ambitious urban project marked a new relationship between Barcelona and its beaches which were formerly considered the preserve of local fishermen but since the 1992 Olympic Games are now rightly appreciated as a unique amenity for sporting activities. With an overall length of approximately 10 K runners can choose between its different stretches that include the Sant Sebastiá, Mar Bella, Bogatell and Icaria beaches.
Another popular route is the Carretera de las Aigues, within the Parc de Collserola, the green hills that form the western edge of Barcelona. A serpentine dirt track, closed to vehicles that is formally anchored by Pla de les Maduixeres and the Plaça Mireia d’Esplugues at either end, offering spectacular views of the city within an area that is designated a nature reserve. The short route covers approximately 9 K while the longer route is 20 K (a loop circuit) and is a predominantly flat course. Its name (literally water road) comes from the time when Barcelona’s water supply arrived via this route.
The Monjuïc promontory which overlooks the city on its southern edge is another area that combines challenging inclines with breathtaking scenery in a natural setting that features a cactus park (Jardines de Mossa Costa i Llobera), open air amphitheatre (Teatre Grec), the Olympic Diving Pool and the very extraordinary Joan Miró Foundation designed by Josep Lluís Sert.
The beginnings of Barcelona’s marathon
The first Barcelona Marathon was held in 1978 (although strictly speaking the race was held in Palafrugell, a village located on the Costa Brava) when Chemist Ramón Oliu returning to Spain from having lived and worked in the United States organised the race after having become interested in running and participated in several marathons while living abroad. It was the first ‘popular’ marathon held in Spain (predating the Madrid Marathon by a month) and was won by Dave Patterson in a time of 2hrs, 23min 15sec. With Matilde Gómez winning the women’s race 3hrs 55min 33sec. In 1980 the marathon was relocated to Barcelona where it has been held since and the 1992 edition famously formed part of the Olympic Games that year finishing within the Olympic Stadium on Monjuïc.
A sport for the entire family
The Zurich Marató de Barcelona appeals to all the family, in recent years there is even a Kids Race organised the day before (set for March 9th 2019) that includes different age categories and distances. It is also held at the Plaza España and takes place over the morning and afternoon.
Official Barcelona Marathon site and inscriptions: https://zurichmaratobarcelona.es/eng
General info about restaurants and bars in Barcelona: Guía Punto
