Málaga Marathon 2026: 17,000 runners and half marathon showdown

The Málaga Marathon 2026 will bring together around 17,000 participants across the marathon and half marathon on Sunday 8 November. Both races will start together at 8.30 on Paseo del Parque, opposite Málaga City Hall, with Dani Mateo and Jorge Blanco among the favourites over the shorter distance.

Participants are split roughly equally between the two races. It is the first edition in November, following the move from December to ease overcrowding and transport problems during the Christmas period.

Most participants come from abroad

Race director Pablo Gálvez said that 69.1% of participants are from abroad. The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Poland and Belgium are among the countries represented.

Runners from Málaga account for 13% of the total. By sex, 66% are men and 34% are women.

Mateo and Blanco face off in the half marathon

Dani Mateo and Jorge Blanco are the leading names in the men’s half marathon. Olympian Mateo comes into the race with a personal best of 1:01:34, set in 2019, and is using the race to prepare for the Valencia Marathon.

Blanco, Spanish marathon champion in 2022, has a personal best of 1:01:45 and will be aiming for the qualifying standard for the 2027 European Half Marathon Championships in Belgrade.

Among the favourites in the women’s race is Lidia Campo, Spanish half marathon runner-up in Mérida and national 10 km road champion in 2024. Her personal best over the distance is 1:11:37, set in Seville that same year.

Abel Antón will also run the half marathon

Abel Antón will take part in the half marathon and is an event ambassador alongside Martín Fiz. Both attended the presentation held on 6 November at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga.

During the event, a cheque for 5,000 euros was presented to The Human Safety Net to support vulnerable families and refugees. The money came from charitable contributions by those who crossed the finish line at the previous edition.

Marathon favourites and records

In the men’s marathon, Alejandro Jiménez will compete. He was Spanish runner-up in 2023 and has a personal best of 2:10:29, set in Valencia in 2024. Gonzalo Parra will act as his pacemaker to help him maintain the pace.

Also competing is Gaddisa Tafa Dekeba, who ran 2:07:02 in Wuxi in 2025. The men’s course record belongs to Mande Bushendich, with 2:06:07 in 2025.

Among the favourites in the women’s marathon are Ivyne Jeruto Lagat, with 2:22:21 in Amsterdam in 2024; Rodah Jepkorir Tanui, with 2:23:13 in Copenhagen in 2023; and Rebecca Kangogo Chesir. The women’s course record belongs to Misgane Alemayehu Wolteji, with 2h24:43 in 2025.

Route, race numbers and live coverage

The start will be organised into eight starting pens and three waves. The flat course has fewer turns than the usual route and features the coastline prominently. Its eastern limit is El Palo, while the Martín Carpena and Ciudad de Málaga stadium mark its western limit.

The final two kilometres pass through Plaza de la Constitución, Calle Larios and Plaza de la Marina. The marathon finish will be on Paseo del Parque.

Race number collection takes place on 6 and 7 November, from 10.00 to 20.00, at the Runner’s Expo at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga, FYCMA. Marathon finishers will receive a medal featuring espetos and a rotating circle with the city’s skyline, as well as a blue and yellow T-shirt inspired by Picasso.

The race will be shown live on Teledeporte and RTVE Play, with coverage starting at 8.15. It will also be broadcast in Spain on DAZN and Eurosport.