Riga Marathon

Riga Marathon
Location: Riga
Country: Latvia
Website: https://rimirigamarathon.com/en/
2025 Marathon Date: 18/05/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 17/05/2026
Winning Time 2025: 02:13:20
% Sub-3s: 5–10%
# Sub-3s: 100–499
Total Runners: 1k–3k

The Riga Marathon is Latvia’s flagship running event and a growing fixture on the European racing calendar. Held each May in the capital city of Riga, the Riga Marathon offers a flat, modern course, reliable weather, and a competitive field that makes it a strong candidate for sub-3 runners.

The route begins and ends near the Freedom Monument in the heart of Riga. It crosses the Daugava River and loops through a mixture of historic architecture, tree-lined boulevards, and more industrial outskirts. The course is flat throughout, with wide tarmac roads and only a handful of gentle curves and bridges to break flow. It is run over two laps, which helps with pacing strategy and familiarisation on the second half.

Conditions in mid-May are generally excellent for distance running. Morning temperatures average between 10–13°C, and humidity is low. Winds are typically mild, though some exposure on the bridges and riverfront may require attention to pacing.

Support is strongest near the city centre and along popular stretches like the embankment and Old Town. While quieter patches exist on the second lap, the Rimi Riga Marathon benefits from growing local pride and increasing international participation. Aid stations and marshalling are reliable and efficient.

The sub-3 field is well-represented thanks to club runners from Latvia and neighbouring countries, with enough depth to provide consistent pacing targets. The Riga Marathon is ideal for runners seeking a flat, well-organised race in a compact European capital with good flight links, comfortable weather, and an increasingly serious amateur field.