Maratón Internacional Elche-Alicante

Location: Elche to Alicante

Country:  Spain
Website:  https://maratonelchealicante.com/
2025 Marathon Date:  30/11/2025
2026 Marathon Date:  TBC
Winning Time 2025: 2:12:53

% Sub-3s:  5-10%
# Sub-3s:  100-499
Total Runners: 3-10k

The Maratón Internacional Elche–Alicante is a striking new addition to Spain’s road racing calendar, offering a rare point-to-point journey between two historic cities on the Costa Blanca. First held on November 30, 2025, the event immediately drew significant attention, attracting between 3,500 and 4,400 runners in its inaugural year. Organised by the Montemar Athletics Club in collaboration with the city councils of Elche and Alicante, the marathon aims to showcase the cultural richness and natural beauty of the region while creating a fast, scenic route designed for strong performances.

The race begins near the Altamira Palace in Elche at roughly 80 metres above sea level, setting runners off amid the city’s historic centre and its UNESCO-listed palm groves. These early kilometres highlight Elche’s deep cultural heritage, including the expansive Palmeral, the Misteri d’Elx tradition and the legacy of the Dama de Elche — elements that shape the identity of this inland city. The first 11 kilometres weave through Elche’s urban core before the course opens into a 20-kilometre interurban stretch linking the two municipalities. This middle segment emphasises the marathon’s unique character: a long, gently descending route designed for rhythm, pace and the experience of travelling between cities with the Mediterranean landscape unfolding alongside.

The final 11 kilometres enter Alicante, guiding runners through the centre and toward the waterfront, with the Mediterranean Sea signalling the approach to the finish. The concluding stretch at Muelle 12 in the Port of Alicante — within the Ocean Race area — provides a dramatic sea-level finale, framed by the city’s coastal setting and overlooked by the Santa Bárbara Castle. The overall profile of the marathon is predominantly flat with a slight downhill trajectory, making it attractive for those targeting personal bests.

Though new, the marathon builds on a strong running tradition in Elche, home to the world’s oldest continuous half marathon, founded in 1968. The full marathon represents a natural evolution of regional collaboration and pride, aiming to position the Costa Blanca as a premier destination for sports tourism. Finishers receive a commemorative medal featuring the Lady of Elche and the Moor’s Face, symbolising the cultural connection between the two cities and marking their participation in a historic inaugural race.