About the race
The Zurich Marató Barcelona is the annual city marathon of Barcelona, held over the classic 42.195 km, usually in March. World Athletics rates it a Silver Label road race, and the organiser describes the route as an urban circuit that is flat and fast.
History
A Catalan chemist, Ramón Oliu, started the race in 1978 after running the New York City Marathon. He could not get a permit for Barcelona, so the first two editions took place in Palafrugell. It moved to Barcelona in 1980. It has carried several names, including the Marathon Catalunya and the Marató de Catalunya, and became the Zurich Marató de Barcelona in 2012. The 2020 edition was postponed and then cancelled during the pandemic, and the race returned in November 2021.
The course
The route starts and finishes at Plaça d'Espanya, at the foot of Montjuïc. It passes Camp Nou, returns to Plaça d'Espanya, goes by the Sagrada Família, runs near the beach in the north-east, circles the old city and heads back along the shore. The route has many straight stretches separated by sharp corners. It feels flat, but a height profile shows some long, slow inclines, notably around 25 to 27 km and 39 to 41 km. The course was changed for 2019, and both course records fell that year.
The 2027 edition
The organiser's site advertises the next race for 14 March 2027 and shows registration as open, with a "register now" call to action.
Entry basics and cut-offs
Entry is online through the organiser's registration pages, which also cover changing owner and managing a registration. Time limits and any other conditions are set out in the race regulations.
Where to watch
Plaça d'Espanya serves as both start and finish and is the busiest point. Other points that suit supporters are the stretches by Camp Nou and the Sagrada Família, and the seafront section in the north-east.
Weather
March in Barcelona is a mild, early-spring month by the Mediterranean. Mornings can feel cool, the day warms as the sun climbs, and a sea breeze or a spell of rain can arrive, so layers are sensible for spectators.
SourcesZurich Marató Barcelona · Wikipedia: Barcelona Marathon