About the race
The Rio de Janeiro Marathon, or Maratona do Rio, is an annual road marathon that Wikipedia says has been hosted by the city since 1979. It is a World Athletics Label Road Race and a member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. The organiser describes its running festival as the biggest street-running festival in Latin America.
History
Brazilian runner Eleonora Mendonça organised the inaugural race through her company, Printer, and later ran in the first Olympic women's marathon in 1984. After its success, the city briefly hosted two marathons a year, including in 1980 and 1981, when a second was organised by the Jornal do Brasil.
The course
The first marathon started and finished in the stadium of the Army Physical Education School. In 2019 the route was changed to begin and end in Flamengo Park. Check the organiser's maps for the full route.
Distances
The festival offers 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon races. Runners can also take the Desafio Cidade Maravilhosa, running the half marathon on Saturday and the full marathon on Sunday; 1,400 runners completed it in 2022. A separate Rio de Janeiro Half Marathon is held in August.
The 2027 edition
The organiser's home page counts down to a festival on 27 to 30 May 2027. It has a 2027 rulebook and an entry manual, and a banner for a 21K race on 9 November with a registration lottery.
Cut-offs and entry
The home page links a regulations document, a frequently asked questions area and an entry manual explaining how 2027 registrations will work. Check them for time limits and fees.
Where to watch
Flamengo Park, the start and finish since 2019, is the one fixed location named for the event. Check the organiser for spectator details.
Weather
Rio has a tropical climate with hot, humid summers and long periods of heavy rain between December and March, followed by warm, sunny winters. Along the coast, onshore and offshore breezes moderate the temperature. This is general background, not a forecast.
SourcesMaratona do Rio home · Wikipedia: Rio de Janeiro Marathon · Wikipedia: Rio de Janeiro (climate)