Madrid isn't just about soccer! 😌 There's also the marathon 🏃♀️, which has earned the gold label 🏅 from the World Athletics Federation and stands out as one of the biggest running events in Spain 🇪🇦. The icing on the cake: it's now part of the prestigious Rock’n’roll Marathon Series circuit, a collection of events across about ten countries, featuring routes dotted with concerts 🎶, shows 🎭, and lively refreshment stations 🥳. So, expect a feast for your legs, eyes, and ears as you race through the heart of the Spanish capital! 😍 We're looking forward to seeing you next April, when the beautiful weather arrives, for the 46th edition of the Madrid Marathon.
Located in the heart of Spain, Madrid thrives to the rhythm of fans from two globally renowned soccer clubs - Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid 🙌. While the city has a deep-rooted football culture ⚽, it's also a major economic hub in Southern Europe and a cultural hotspot. Several world-renowned museums 🏛️, like the Prado, the Reina Sofia 👑, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza 🖼️, add to Madrid's charm, along with its cosmopolitan vibe, historical sites 📖 (Plaza Mayor, the impressive Royal Palace 🤴, and the Almudena Cathedral ⛪), ultra-modern districts (including the business district with its skyscrapers 🏙️), bustling shopping avenues 🛍️, vast green spaces 🌲 like the Retiro Park, the Royal Botanical Garden, and the Campo del Moro Garden 🌼. And what about the movida? Ah, the infamous creative cultural movement that livens up Madrid's nights… ✨😏 While the nightlife might not be the best pre-marathon activity 😅, it's definitely worth exploring post-race: you simply must drag your tired feet to century-old bistros for some delicious tapas 😋 and wander through the vibrant neighborhoods under the starlit sky 🌟🌃.
So, what about the running? The organizers of the Zurich Rock 'n' Roll Running Series Madrid Marathon have indeed pulled off a masterstroke (pun intended 😂): offering a comprehensive tour of the city and a range of distances for all runners 🤩. While the Madrid marathon, established in 1978, remains the crown jewel, you can also opt for the Madrid half-marathon (introduced in 2012) or the 10 km 🤏 (added in 2010). According to previous participants (and there were many, with 38,000 runners from around the globe in 2023 🌎), these well-organized events showcase landmarks like the National Library 📚, the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium 🏟️, the Cuatro Torres 🌆, the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, the Casa de Campo, and the Buen Retiro Park ⛲. And because not just anyone makes it into the Rock’n’roll Marathon Series 🎸, rest assured the routes feature live bands and performances 🔊🎊 that might just make you forget the courses aren't as flat as a soccer field (360 m of elevation gain for the marathon... Yes, it's going to be tough! 🙄). You can also expect the support of thousands of spectators 👀 cheering you on with Iberian fervor. Let’s rock in Spanish on Sunday, April 27, 2025 ! 📍
Oh, and one more thing: once you've crossed the finish line 🏁, make sure to recover in one of the city's tapas bars 😊. Go easy on the cerveza 🍻 and local white wines 🍷, but don’t hesitate to try the famous cocido de tres vuelcos (stew), soldaditos de Pavia (breaded cod sticks), or bartolillos (cream-filled pastries 🤤) to replenish your energy (and calories! 🫄). And if you're utterly exhausted, there's always a tourist bus 🚌 that can take you to the most famous spots in the city, in case you didn’t have the chance to admire them during the race… 😜
Ready to take on the 42.195 km of Madrid 🇪🇸 and its 390 m elevation gain? A fantastic challenge awaits you, here are the details: 😛
The race kicks off with a lively start 🏃♀️ at the Plaza de Gregorio Maranon, right in the city center, in the cool morning air (9 AM) 🌬️. From there, you'll dash up a slight incline towards the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium 🏟️⚽️, 1.5 km further north, before heading to the Plaza de Castilla on a perfectly flat section 😌. At the 4 km mark, the course loops back along the iconic Cuatro Torres 🌆. You'll then return to the Plaza de Castilla before taking the long Calle Bravo Murillo, and turning onto Calle de Raimundo Fernandez Villaverde. At the 8 km mark, you'll pass the Complejo Azca, the economic and financial heart 💰 of the capital of Spain, where you'll see magnificent buildings that can rival those in New York 😉.
Rest assured, the entire stretch up to the 21 km mark is on a gentle downhill 😮💨 and straight roads, which should help you gather strength for the remainder of the race 💪. In the meantime, you'll make a loop in the eastern center 🔄 of the city, passing through the Salamanca district 🦎, a major commercial and aristocratic area where you can admire luxurious apartments and buildings 💫. At the 19 km mark, you'll reach the Plaza de Callao, one of the city's main squares 🏙️, before heading towards the Puerta del Sol, the "Gate of the Sun" 🌞. As you can guess, you're entering one of the most interesting parts of your route, where you'll have the opportunity to see many beautiful monuments 🗽. Noteworthy among them are those at La Plaza de la Villa, beautifully preserved historic sites from the 17th century, designed in the unique Baroque style of Madrid architecture. Tempting, right? If you're up for it 👢, know that less than a km away, you'll pass the stunning Royal Palace 👑 and the Plaza de España 👈, all while enjoying an incredible atmosphere 🎉 and energetic concerts 🎸.
We hope these activities will give you enough energy for the second half ✌️ of your race. Yes, you'll be halfway through! Make sure to take a moment to admire the Faro de Moncloa 👀 and enjoy the greenery of the university city 🌳 and the Parque del Oeste as you pass through! Next, you'll enter the lush Casa de Campo before running alongside the amusement park 🎢 that will make your head spin 🤪 (your legs will already be feeling it! 😂). You'll come close to the old town, running along the river 💦. At the 36 km mark, you'll get into the thick of it, passing by the Almudena Cathedral ⛪️ where your legs might start begging for mercy 😅. Hang in there because a gentle incline will lead you to the finish line! Take heart: you'll pass by the Reina Sofia Art Center 🎨, the Atocha Station, the Prado Museum, the Neptune Fountain ⛲️, and the Palacio de Cibeles 🏰. You'll finally cross the finish line 🏁 on the Paseo de Recoletos 🏛, near the magnificent National Library 📕.
If it’s any consolation, the entire course is dotted with entertainment 🥳 that should give you wings! 🪽 Refreshment stations are also scattered along the route, approximately every 5 km 😋.
Curious about what the middle distance of the event has to offer? 🧐 With a total of 175 mD+ and 21.097 km, the Madrid Half Marathon takes you through some of the city's most memorable spots. Let's dive into the details right here 👇.
First off, the initial 19 km are shared with the marathon route: starting at Plaza de Gregorio Maranon, under the cool morning air (9am) 🤭, then a gentle climb towards the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium 🏟️⚽️, before reaching the Plaza de Castilla (thankfully, it's flat!). A U-turn 🔄 by the iconic Cuatro Torres 🌆 at the 4km mark, followed by 6km of sheer joy on a gentle descent towards the Plaza de Castilla! 📉 Next, you'll take Calle Bravo Murillo and turn onto Calle de Raimundo Fernandez Villaverde. At km 8, you'll pass by the Azca Complex, the financial heart 💴 of the city. Then, you'll loop through the eastern center 👉 of the city, particularly through the Salamanca district 🦎, a major commercial and aristocratic area of the city.
At km 19, the Plaza de Callao awaits you, and further on, the Puerta del Sol, the "Gate of the Sun" 🌞. As you can see, you're entering one of the most interesting parts of your journey, where numerous beautiful monuments 🗽 are a must-see, including La Plaza de la Villa where you'll find beautifully preserved historical sites from the 17th century, done in the unique Madrilenian Baroque style. Your next stop will be the Congreso de los Diputados, the Fountain of Neptune ⛲️, the Palace of Cybele 🏰 before storming down to the Paseo de Recoletos, your finish line 🏁.
If it's any consolation, know that the entire course is peppered with entertainment 🥳 that's bound to give you wings! 🪽 Plus, there are refreshment stations spread out about every 5 km 😋.
For those who love fast and intense races, these 10 km of Madrid with a downhill profile are perfect for a great time! ⏱️
Starting from Plaza de Gregorio Maranon at 8 AM, you’ll face a slight uphill until the 2nd km near the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium 🏟️. After that, it's 8 kilometers of gentle downhill running at full speed! ⚽️ The heritage festival kicks off at the 8 km mark as you pass the Plaza de Callao, then further on to the Puerta del Sol, the "Gate of the Sun" 🌞. You’ll enter one of the most interesting sections of your route, with many beautiful monuments 🗽 to see, including the Congreso de los Diputados, the Fountain of Neptune ⛲️, the Palacio de Cibeles 🏰 before speeding towards the Paseo de Recoletos, your finish line 🏁.
For the Marathon: €65 until 09/30/2024, then €75 until 12/31/2024, then €85 until 02/28/2025, then €95 until 04/15/2025
For the Half Marathon: €35 until 09/30/2024, then €50 until 12/31/2024, then €60 until 02/28/2025, then €70 until 04/15/2025
For the 10K: €25 until 09/30/2024, then €30 until 12/31/2024, then €35 until 02/28/2025, then €40 until 04/15/2025
Please note, a license from the Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA) is mandatory for participation. This license is not included in the registration fee. The license costs €5 for the marathon, €3 for the half marathon, and €3 for the 10K.
You can pick up your race bib at the CORRIDOR FAIR (IFEMA) during the following hours:
Friday, April 25, 2025, from 10 AM to 8 PM
Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10 AM to 8 PM
Please be aware that no race bibs will be distributed on race day.
For the Marathon: start at 9 AM
For the Half Marathon: start at 9 AM
For the 10K: start at 8 AM
The races will start at Paseo de la Castellana (Plaza de Gregorio Marañón). You can use public transportation, especially the metro:
Line 7 and 10: stop "Gregorio Marañón"
Line 5: stop Rubén Darío
Participants must possess a federation license or a runner's card issued by the RFEA (Royal Spanish Athletics Federation) on the day of the event. Those who do not have a federation license or a runner's card issued by RFEA can acquire a one-day federation license during the registration process.
Yes, there is a maximum time allowed to complete each distance:
For the Marathon: 6 hours
For the Half Marathon: 3 hours
For the 10K: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yes, pacers will be available to help you achieve your goals for each distance:
For the Marathon: 3h, 3h15, 3h30, 3h45, 4h, 4h15, 4h30, 5h
For the Half Marathon: 1h30, 1h40, 1h50, 2h
For the 10K: 40 min, 45 min, 50 min, 55 min, 60 min
There will be refreshment stations at the following kilometers:
5.5
10
15
20.5
23
26
30.5
35
38
40.5
at the finish lines
You must be at least 18 years old to participate in the races.
Here’s how the ranking works:
Overall Men and Women
Spanish Ranking
Category Rankings
Rankings for male and female wheelchair athletes
Athletes with functional disabilities (physical disabilities, cerebral palsy, and brain injuries)
Athletes with sensory disabilities (blind and deaf)
Athletes with intellectual disabilities
Trophies will be awarded to:
Top three places in the general male ranking
Top three places in the general female ranking
First place in the Spanish ranking
First place in the Spanish ranking
Top three places in the male wheelchair ranking
Top three places in the female wheelchair ranking
Additionally, financial prizes will be awarded to the winners, with amounts varying based on the race, category, and position of the runner. To see these prizes, click here.
Want to lend a hand? You can sign up as a volunteer by clicking here.
Have more questions? You can contact the organizers via email: info@rocknrollmadridrun.com
There will be free changing rooms available for participants. They will be located in the Meta neighborhood on Paseo de la Castellana, between Hermosilla and Marqués de Villamagna streets, and will be accessible from 7 AM to 3:30 PM on April 27, 2025.
If you're the organizer of this race and want to enhance your page's content, claim it here.
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