Barcelona Marathon 2025: history and current route of this awaited sport event

The Barcelona Marathon is one of the most important sport events in the city and one of the most popular marathons in Europe. Every year, runners from all over the world gather to participate in this iconic 42.195-kilometer race through Barcelona’s most emblematic streets. In 2025, the Barcelona Marathon is expected to be even more special, aiming to be one of the most vibrant, inclusive, and diverse marathons on the continent.

History of the Barcelona Marathon

The first edition of the Barcelona Marathon was held in 1980, although it had two precedents in the previous years (1978 and 1979) in Palafrugell, known as the Catalonia Marathon.

Since then, the Barcelona Marathon has become an unmissable event for running enthusiasts. Over its 50 previous editions, the marathon has grown in popularity and attracted elite runners from around the world. Additionally, this race has witnessed numerous records and unforgettable moments.

From its beginnings, the Barcelona Marathon has had a route that allowed participants to enjoy the beauty and history of the city. During the early years, the route primarily focused on the city center, passing by iconic places such as the Sagrada Familia, Parc de la Ciutadella, and Plaça d’Espanya.

In its latest edition, 2024, the marathon estimated 18,000 participants, with 15,000 people already registered by early January, but eventually, over 20,000 participants joined the event.

Schedule and Date of the Barcelona Marathon 2025

The 2025 Barcelona Marathon will take place on the second weekend of March, precisely on Sunday, March 16, exactly one month after the February half marathon. The start times will be staggered into different waves, depending on the time each runner estimates they will take to complete the race. This allows for better organization and ensures an optimal experience for all participants.

As usual, the event is expected to attract thousands of international and local runners, along with a large number of spectators who will line the streets of Barcelona to cheer on the participants.

In the 2024 edition, the men’s race record was broken by Swiss-Eritrean athlete Abraham Tadesse with a time of 2h:05:01, surpassing Bahraini Marius Kimutai’s 2023 time of 2:05:06. On the women’s side, the victory went to Degitu Azimeraw with a time of 2h:19:52, just a few seconds shy of the 2023 record set by Ethiopian athlete Zeineba Yimer, who still holds the record with 2:19:44.

New Route of the Barcelona Marathon in 2025

One of the novelties introduced in the 2024 Barcelona Marathon was the new route, which will be maintained for 2025. The route has been carefully designed to include some of the city’s most emblematic landmarks and provide runners with a unique experience.

The start line of this new marathon route will be located on Passeig de Gràcia, and the finish line will be at the Arc de Triomf. This year’s route is much more central, with half of the marathon taking place in the Eixample district, and it features less elevation.

Participants will pass by some of the city’s most iconic spots, such as La Monumental, Parc del Fòrum, the Sagrada Familia, and the Columbus Monument.

Proposals for Athletics Enthusiasts

One of the standout initiatives is DONAnt Pas, a program aimed at boosting female participation through various activities, including official women-only training sessions.

The 2025 Barcelona Marathon promises to be a historic and exciting edition. With its new route showcasing the city’s most emblematic landmarks, this race will offer runners a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty and history of Barcelona while pushing their physical limits and aiming to break recent records.

Whether you’re a participant or a spectator, this event will undoubtedly leave you with unforgettable memories.