Malaga Marathon 2026: Complete Guide — Dates, Route, Entry
I love traveling and sharing my experiences. For me it's important to share only practical and useful information in the blog, things that actually help, whether you're planning a trip to Costa del Sol or thinking about renting in Spain.
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Malaga Marathon 2026 runs 8 November — entry fees, VIP tiers, mild weather, and easy access to Costa del Sol stays. Here's what you need to know: dates, the course, entry fees, what VIP includes, the Kids Race and Brunch Run, and how to turn race weekend into a longer Costa del Sol trip.
Race Weekend at a Glance
Nearly everything happens at FYCMA (Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga), Avenida Ortega y Gasset 201 — just off the A-7, five minutes from Málaga airport. Venue page · Google Maps.
| Day | Event | Time |
| Fri 6 Nov | Expo & bib pickup, FYCMA | 10:00–20:00 |
| Sat 7 Nov | Expo & bib pickup, FYCMA | 10:00–20:00* |
| Sat 7 Nov | Brunch Run 5K, near FYCMA | 12:00 |
| Sat 7 Nov | Kids Race, near FYCMA | 13:00 |
| Sun 8 Nov | Marathon & Half Marathon | 8:30 |
Bibs are never handed out on race day — collect yours Friday or Saturday. If someone else is collecting for you, they'll need a signed note from you, a copy of your ID, and your registration confirmation.
Book one of our apartments, and we'll take care of picking up your race pack — bib included — so you can spend race weekend enjoying the Costa del Sol instead of queuing at the expo.
Where to Stay Malaga Marathon
Where to stay for the Malaga Marathon? More and more runners choose to stay along the Costa del Sol instead of the city centre. Popular options include apartments in Sotogrande, apartments in Manilva, and apartments in Estepona — another solid pick if you'd rather stay closer to the marathon route on your way down the coast. Combine race day with a proper post-marathon holiday in Spain: think beach apartments Costa del Sol, a spa day on the coast, or simply a Sotogrande beach afternoon to let your legs recover.
Apartments by the Sea on the Costa del Sol
Mijas Costa
Miraflores Pool & Sea View Apartment, Mijas Costa
Sea views, glazed terrace and pools near the beach.
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Estepona
Elegant apartment with spectacular garden and pool, Costalita
Garden, pool and a calm beach-area location.
View apartmentMalaga Marathon Route 2026
Wondering about the Malaga Marathon route or whether the Malaga Marathon is flat? Here's the short answer, plus the course map below.
The route is new for the second year running, fixing the two biggest complaints from 2024: the climb to La Rosaleda stadium has moved from the punishing final third to the middle of the race, and the dull industrial stretches through Huelin and San Andrés are gone in favour of more coastline.
The trade-off is wind exposure — around 29 km runs along the open seafront. Malaga Marathon elevation gain should be lower than the old route's 117m (marathon) / 59m (half marathon), though those numbers predate this year's redesign.
The reward is the final kilometre: through the historic centre via Calle Cisneros onto Calle Larios, the most photographed stretch of the race.
Malaga Half Marathon 2026: How It Differs from the Marathon
The Malaga Half Marathon route shares most of its course with the full marathon — here's where they split.
- Both share the first ~21 km and start together
- Marathon finishes at Paseo del Parque; half marathon finishes separately at the Malagueta bullring
- Cut-off: 5h30 for the marathon, 2h45 for the half
New: Wave Starts
For the first time, runners go off in three waves, ten minutes apart, instead of one 20,000-person mass start.
| Wave | Marathon | Half Marathon |
| 1 (8:30) | Elite / sub-3:15 | Elite / sub-1:30 |
| 2 (8:40) | 3:15–4:00 | 1:30–1:45 |
| 3 (8:50) | 4:00–5:30 | 1:45–2:30 |
Your wave is set by the finish time you enter at registration, so enter a realistic time rather than an optimistic one — slower runners drifting into faster waves was a real problem in 2024.
Weather in November
Malaga Marathon weather in November, in short: mild and mostly sunny. Expect highs around 18–20°C. November is one of Malaga's wetter months (6–12 rainy days, 60–100mm), but most days stay dry. The 8:30 start is cooler — bring a throwaway layer. Coastal winds run 10–15 km/h, sometimes gusting higher, which matters given ~29 km of the route runs along open coastline. Good weather, too, for unwinding by the sea after the race.
Entry Fees Malaga Marathon
Here's how Malaga Marathon registration works and how much it costs to sign up.
Entry Prices
Registration runs from 29 December 2025 until 7 November 2026 at 8:00 PM, or until the 12,000 half-marathon bibs sell out. Both standard entries also include the one-day licence fee (€5 for the marathon / €3 for the half marathon).
You must be 18 or older to enter either distance. There is no junior category, which means runners aged 15–17 do not have a separate race distance at this event.
What Does the VIP Package Include?
Cancellation Insurance
Cancellation insurance refunds 100% of your bib price, excluding separately purchased products such as sunglasses or race photos. The cost of the insurance itself is non-refundable.
Other Add-Ons
One photo costs €8, while a pack of 5 or more photos costs €25. Sunglasses are available for expo pickup only. Magnetic bib pins let you attach your race number without making holes in your shirt.
Why the Date Changed "Malaga's December marathon"
This race used to run in December — the 14th edition on 15 December 2024, the 15th on 14 December 2025, both record-breaking. The 16th edition breaks that pattern: race day is now 8 November 2026, a full month earlier. If you think of this as "Malaga's December marathon," this is worth double-checking before booking flights or hotels — searches defaulting to December will show you the wrong weekend.
This new Malaga Marathon date in November is one of the bigger changes to Spain's autumn racing calendar for 2026.
Brunch Run and Kids Race Marathon
The Kids Race and Brunch Run are the two family-friendly events of race weekend.
Brunch Run 5K: a relaxed, non-competitive run near FYCMA, Saturday 7 November at 12:00. €12, T-shirt included, free with VIP. Registration closes 11:50 AM that day.
Kids Race: same location, 13:00 the same day. €5, includes T-shirt and medal. Open to children born 2012–2021, with distance by age:
| Category | Born | Distance |
| U8 | 2019–2021 | 100 m |
| U10 | 2017–2018 | 300 m |
| U12 & U14 | 2012–2016 | 1,000 m |
Registration needs a responsible adult's contact details alongside the child's.
Getting to Málaga
Start and finish: Paseo del Parque, by Málaga City Hall (Ayuntamiento). View on Google Maps.
Runners registered for the race can get a discount on AVE train tickets via "My Registration" on the official site — most useful coming from Madrid, Barcelona or Seville. From the Costa del Sol, driving is usually easier anyway.
Málaga airport is right by the city, so flying in, running the race, and heading down the coast afterwards works well. Driving times to Málaga:
- Sotogrande: ~110 km, about 1h15 via the AP-7 toll road
- Estepona: ~90 km, about 1h10–15 via the AP-7 toll road
- Manilva: ~104 km, about 1h25–30
Petrol stations are scarce along that stretch, so fill up before leaving Málaga.
Without a car: there's no direct train line along this stretch of coast — a well-known gap in Spain's rail network. The nearest station to Sotogrande (San Roque-Pueblo Nuevo) sits on the Algeciras–Ronda line, which only reaches Málaga via a long detour through the mountains (4+ hours, few services) — impractical for race day. A more realistic option is the regular coastal coach (ALSA/Avanza), running roughly hourly on the route Algeciras–La Línea–Sotogrande–Estepona–Sabinillas (Manilva)–Marbella–Fuengirola–Málaga. Journey time to Málaga's bus station is typically 1.5–2.5 hours depending on where you board, for around €10–20. Where to catch it:
Estepona: bus station, Av. Litoral 45 — Google Maps
Sotogrande: stop on the N-340 — Google Maps
Where to Stay Near Málaga
Picture this: you arrive a few days before the marathon, settling into a Sunset Rental apartment near Málaga with time to spare. Our team collects your bib for you, so instead of queuing at the expo, you spend the afternoon walking the coastline and lingering over a long lunch by the sea. Sotogrande and Manilva make an easy base for race weekend, many with pools or sea views — and once you've crossed the finish line, they're just as good a place to properly unwind, with tired legs and nowhere else you need to be.
More Apartments on the Costa del Sol
Sotogrande
Exclusive apartment in Sotogrande Marina
Marina location, restaurants and the sea nearby.
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Casares
2 bedroom apartment with terrace and pool
Private terrace, community pools and a calm Casares location.
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San Roque
Modern Apartment with Sea & Golf Views, Pools, Gym, Sauna and Jacuzzi
Sea and golf views with pools, gym, sauna and jacuzzi.
View apartmentGetting Around Málaga Itself
A taxi from María Zambrano train station or the city centre to Paseo del Parque usually runs €5–9; from the airport to the centre, more like €18–25. Taxi ranks sit right at Paseo del Parque, so it's easy to grab one after the race. Alternative: the airport express bus (line A) runs straight to Paseo del Parque in about 45 minutes for €4, and regular city buses (€1.40, pay the driver) stop at "Paseo del Parque" right by the start.
The Photo Contest
After the race, the organiser runs a photo contest on Instagram (@maratonmalaga): submit one race photo by email, entries compete in Instagram Stories polls, and category winners get a free bib for next year.
History and Records
Malaga Marathon results and winners from recent editions:
| Year | Finishers | Winning times |
| 2023 | 10,000+ | 2:08:54 / 2:33:52 |
| 2024 | ~16,000 | 2:08:05 / 2:25:10 |
| 2025 | 22,000 (record) | 2:06:07* / 2:24:43* |
| 2026 | 20,000+ registered | TBD, 8 November |
Course records, set by Mande Bushendich (Uganda) and Misgane Alemayehu Wolteji (Ethiopia). The previous men's record (2:07:39, 2021) held through 2023 and 2024. In 2025, about two-thirds of runners came from outside Spain — the UK, Netherlands, France and Belgium led the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Malaga Marathon 2026?
Sunday, 8 November 2026, at 8:30 AM — around a month earlier than the December dates used in 2024 and 2025.
Where does it start and finish?
Both races start at Paseo del Parque. The marathon also finishes there, while the half marathon finishes separately near the Malagueta bullring.
How much does it cost?
As of mid-September 2026: €140 for the marathon, €98 for the half marathon, €280 for Marathon VIP and €258 for Half Marathon VIP. Prices may rise as race day approaches, so check the official site for the current rate.
Is there an age minimum?
Yes. Participants must be at least 18 years old for both distances. There is no junior category.
Where do I collect my bib?
Race packs can be collected at FYCMA on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Bib collection is not available on race day.
What's new about the route?
The La Rosaleda climb has been moved to the middle of the race, some industrial sections have been removed, and wave starts are being introduced for the first time.
What's the cut-off time?
The marathon time limit is 5 hours 30 minutes. The half marathon limit is 2 hours 45 minutes.
Is there a Kids Race?
Yes. Race weekend also includes a Kids Race and the Brunch Run 5K, both scheduled for Saturday 7 November near FYCMA.
What's the weather like?
November in Málaga is usually mild. Daytime temperatures are often around 18–20°C, with cooler conditions around the 8:30 AM start.
Sources
This guide was prepared by the Sunset Rental Sotogrande team — we live on the Costa del Sol and know the region firsthand.
Race dates, route and registration terms were checked against the official Generali Maratón Málaga website , where registration also takes place.
Entry fees and VIP pricing were checked against the live RockTheSport registration form in September 2026. Course details were reviewed using the organiser's route materials and independent runner guides.
Historical information was compared with Spanish sports press coverage from the 2023–2025 editions. Expo and venue details were checked with FYCMA, while transport and journey information was cross-checked using Google Maps, EMT Málaga, ALSA, Avanza and local taxi operators.
I love traveling and sharing my experiences. For me it's important to share only practical and useful information in the blog, things that actually help, whether you're planning a trip to Costa del Sol or thinking about renting in Spain.
