Valencia Marathon (Trinidad Alfonso Zurich Marathon): Dates, Tickets & Venue (Valencia)

A finish line over water

Most marathons end on tarmac. This one ends on a raised blue runway above the shallow pools of the City of Arts and Sciences. Runners come down that final stretch with Santiago Calatrava’s white concrete and glass buildings on both sides. The Hemisfèric, shaped like a giant eye, and the ribbed Museu de les Ciències sit right next to the line.

The 46th edition runs on Sunday, December 6, 2026. It holds a World Athletics Platinum Label, the sport’s top road-race status. That puts it in the same tier as the big-city majors.

Why runners chase times here

Valencia sits almost at sea level, and the route has very little climbing. That is why it has become one of the fastest marathons on the calendar. Elite fields come for records, and amateurs come for personal bests.

Early December weather helps. Mornings on this stretch of the Mediterranean coast are usually cool and dry, which suits a long effort. Pack a layer for the start pen and the walk afterwards. The air drops quickly once you stop moving.

• Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
• Start and finish: City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències)
• Status: World Athletics Platinum Label
• Entry: registration through the official race site; places are capped

Getting to the City of Arts and Sciences

The complex sits at the southeastern end of the Turia Gardens. This is the long sunken park built in the old riverbed after the river was diverted. On race morning, roads around the course close, so leave the car behind.

Metrovalencia’s Alameda station is the most practical stop. From there, walk downhill through the Turia Gardens towards the complex, roughly 20 to 25 minutes on flat paths. A lot of runners do exactly this as a warm-up. If you are staying near the Ciutat Vella, the same riverbed path is the easiest route, and you never have to cross traffic.

Watching from the kerb

Spectating is free and needs no ticket. Your main decision is where to stand. The finish area draws the biggest crowds, and the space along the barriers near the blue carpet fills early. If you want to see someone cross the line, get there well before you think you need to.

To see a runner more than once, use the Turia Gardens as your shortcut. The course loops through the city around the old riverbed. A spectator on foot can cut across the park and catch the race at several points while runners cover the long way round. Download the official race app or tracking service before the day. Mobile networks near the finish come under heavy strain.

Cheering, eating and moving like a Valenciano

Race day here works to Spanish rhythms. These habits will help:

• Cheer in the local language. “¡Ánimo!” or “¡Vamos!” is what the crowd shouts. In Valencian you will also hear “Ànim!” A runner’s name, printed on many bibs, gets a bigger reaction than generic clapping.
• Eat paella at lunchtime, not dinner. Valencians treat it as a midday dish, and Sunday lunch starts late, often around 2pm. Restaurants along Malvarrosa beach and in El Palmar, in the Albufera rice fields south of the city, are the traditional places for it. Book a table for race Sunday, because thousands of hungry runners have the same idea.
• Order paella valenciana if you want the original. The local version uses chicken, rabbit and green beans, not seafood. Arròs a banda and arròs negre are the seafood rice dishes.
• Pay as you would anywhere in Spain. Cards and contactless work almost everywhere. Tipping is small and optional; rounding up or leaving some coins is normal.

Hotels near the course fill months in advance for marathon weekend. If you are running, staying within walking distance of the Turia Gardens means you skip public transport entirely that morning.

Before you commit to the trip

Bib collection happens at a race expo in the days before. Its location and opening times are set by the organisers each year, so check them on the official site before you book flights. Leave at least a full day before the race to collect your number without rushing.

A shorter 10K race has traditionally been held alongside the marathon, which gives companions a reason to pin on a bib too. If you plan to stay on, the City of Arts and Sciences is worth a second visit on a quieter day. The Oceanogràfic aquarium and the science museum are both on site.

Confirm the date, start times, registration and expo details on the official Valencia Marathon website before you travel.