Zurich Marató Barcelona 2024 unveils a new course

“We have designed this new route with all types of runners in mind, with the help of different profiles that have been actively involved with the Zurich Marató Barcelona in recent years. The objective is very clear: to maintain the essence of the city, to have a fast route to achieve the best times, and at the same time to be very lively for all the citizens and visitors on the day of the Marató. We have put everything in the shaker and, with the technical premises of mobility and many hours invested, we have come up with a great circuit, which we will be able to enjoy next 10th of March”, explains the race director, Mauro Llorens.

David Escudé, Sports Councillor of the Barcelona City Council, has declared: “During all these years of history, Barcelona’s Marathon has had many different routes and every change has always been to improve this great event. Now, after almost two decades with the same circuit, a new stage arrives with the Zurich Marató Barcelona 2024, which will be faster, with only 33 turns, more central, with a start line in Passeig de Gràcia and a finish tile at the Arc de Triomf, and very monumental”.

In fact, the new route will pass through more than fifteen emblematic spots in Barcelona: from the start line in Passeig de Gràcia to the finish line at the Arc de Triomf, passing through the Monumental, Casa Batlló, Bac de Roda’s Bridge, Sagrada Familia, Ninot Market, University of Barcelona, Sant Antoni Market, Plaça Catalunya, Columbus Monument, Estació de França, Parc de la Ciutadella, Hotel Arts or Parc del Fòrum.

The new course will be flatter and faster than ever before in the history of this race, reducing the elevation gain by more than 30 metres compared to the previous circuit. The lowest point will be only 8 metres above sea level and the highest point will be 50 metres above sea level. In addition, up to six turns have been reduced compared to the old course. The new circuit will have only 33 turns, making it one of the marathons with the fewest turns in the world. The longest straight will be 4.9 kilometres. The new circuit will be the ninth change of course since the birth of the Barcelona Marathon in 1980. For the first time, the runners will run down Avinguda Paral·lel: the last two kilometres of the old circuit, which were among the most difficult, will now be two of the fastest of the entire course.

The 45th edition of the Marató is expected to reach or exceed 17,000 registered participants. With six months to go, this event already has more than 4,500 registered participants.