Marathon guide · Valencia, Spain
Valencia Marathon 2027 training plan and pace guide
The 2026 edition runs on Sunday 6 December and is sold out; it is too close to start a plan now. For 2027, expect the first Sunday of December again, on one of the fastest courses in the world.
OpenAthlete is not affiliated with the organisers. This is an independent preparation guide.
Key facts
2027
- Date
- 2027 date not announced yetUsually the first Sunday of December. The 2026 edition is on Sunday 6 December 2026 and is sold out.
- Start
- 08:15 for the first wave in 2026
- Distance
- 42.195 km
- Elevation
- ≈ +47 mApproximate, from GPS data (marathon-index.com). The organisers do not publish a figure.
- Time limit
- About 5h30 according to secondary sources; not confirmed in the official regulation
- Course
- Flat, at sea level, on asphalt. Start on Plaça de la Marató, finish on the walkway over the water at the City of Arts and Sciences.
- Usual weather
- December: 8 to 17 °C on average (AEMET normals, Valencia). Often dry and cool.
Facts checked on 4 November 2026. Organisers change things: confirm on the official site before you book anything.
The course, seen by a coach
Valencia Marathon: what it asks of you, and how to train for it
A course that will not slow you down
About 47 m of climbing by GPS, sea level and a December morning: the men's course record is 2:01:48 (Sisay Lemma, 2023). If a PB is the goal, train its pace with precision. Long runs with 2 × 8 km at goal pace in the last six weeks, on flat ground, and nothing faster than planned.
A build that starts in August
Counted back from the first Sunday of December, a 16-week plan starts in the second half of August, so the first month is hot. Keep it easy, run early, and save the fast work for September and October. Once the 2027 date is official, this page will show the exact Monday.
A huge field: seed yourself honestly
Expect the first 5 km to be crowded. Starting in a box faster than your real level only means being passed and pushed. Lose 20 seconds in the first kilometres rather than two minutes after km 35.
Pace and plan by goal
Valencia Marathon: pick your goal time
Each goal links to its pace chart: splits every 5 km, every kilometre and a printable pace band. Eight goals also have a free 16-week plan with paces worked out from your VMA. Pick the goal your recent half marathon supports, not the one you hope for.
When to start a 16-week plan
The date is not out yet: here is how to count back
Take the Monday of race week and go back 16 weeks minus one: that Monday is week 1, and race week is the last one. Sign up first and set the plan once the date is official.
Import a plan into OpenAthleteFree. Sessions go to your Garmin, COROS or Suunto watch.
| Goal | Pace | Halfway | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:45 | 3:55/km | 1:22:30 | – |
| 3:00 | 4:16/km | 1:30:00 | 16 weeks |
| 3:15 | 4:37/km | 1:37:30 | – |
| 3:30 | 4:59/km | 1:45:00 | 16 weeks |
| 3:45 | 5:20/km | 1:52:30 | 16 weeks |
| 4:00 | 5:41/km | 2:00:00 | 16 weeks |
| 4:15 | 6:03/km | 2:07:30 | 16 weeks |
| 4:30 | 6:24/km | 2:15:00 | 16 weeks |
| 4:45 | 6:45/km | 2:22:30 | – |
| 5:00 | 7:07/km | 2:30:00 | 16 weeks |
| 5:30 | 7:49/km | 2:45:00 | 16 weeks |
| 6:00 | 8:32/km | 3:00:00 | – |
Even pace on a flat course. Hills, heat, wind and crowded first kilometres all cost time: the course notes above say where.
Valencia Marathon: questions runners ask
Not announced yet (checked on 4 November 2026). The race is usually held on the first Sunday of December: 7 December in 2025, 6 December in 2026. Wait for the official date before booking travel.
For a full 16-week plan, yes. With about four weeks left, open one of our marathon plans and follow its last four weeks: one more long run with goal-pace blocks, then a two-week taper. Fitness is built now; the aim is to arrive fresh.
Our marathon plans last 16 weeks. Once the date is official, take the Monday of race week and go back 15 weeks: that is day one. Before that, build a base: three or four runs a week, with a long run of about 1h15 that feels comfortable.
No. OpenAthlete is not affiliated with the organisers of Valencia Marathon. This is an independent preparation guide written from the official information available on 4 November 2026. Registration, rules and the final course are on the official site.
Prepare the Valencia Marathon with the plan on your watch
Import a free plan into OpenAthlete, move sessions around your week, and send them to your Garmin, COROS or Suunto watch. Everything is free on Cloud.
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