Valencia Marathon

The race that produces the most fast finishers. At the 2024 edition, 18.4% of the whole field broke three hours, about 5,000 runners, the highest share in a comparison of the best-known fast marathons. The course is flat, laid out on wide boulevards and long out-and-backs with few turns, and ends on a blue walkway over the water at the City of Arts and Sciences. Pacers run at 2:50 and every 15 minutes from 3:00 to 5:00, so almost every goal has a group. Early December typically brings highs around 63°F and lows near 46°F; the 2026 race is on December 6. The catch is getting in: with around 35,000 runners, entry now goes through a ballot.