A new edition of the Maratón de Valencia (Valencia Marathon) is here, raising the participation bar to 35,000 entrants and with one of the fastest circuits in the world (it only needs to have the day with the string of elites that come year after year to attack the WR) and an organization that is always up to par.
In this first chapter of the guide I am going to focus on the analysis of the route, written from my experience in many editions running this wonderful race and, even better, from the experience of Valencians who know it by heart, like my colleague Julio Belmin (who has made frames here as well as acting as a pacemaker).
If you have any doubts or questions, I am here for you. Be strong and enjoy it to the fullest.
PS: you already know that this year is marked by the tragedy of the DANA that has affected all the towns of the Horta Sud. The Valencia Marathon, after a period of reflection, decided to go ahead with the celebration of the race and has opened three ways of help for those affected, the direct one for participants (financial donation) is this one. Here you can collaborate and help.
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BASIC INFO VALENCIA MARATHON
- Place: Valencia
- Timing: 7/2/25 (8.15)
- WAVE 1 (8.15): sub 2h50′
- WAVE 2 (8.25): sub 3h00′
- WAVE 3 (8.35): sub 3h12′
- WAVE 4 (8.45): sub 3h20′
- WAVE 5 (8.55): sub 3h32′
- WAVE 6 (9.05): sub 3h43′
- WAVE 7 (9.15): sub 3h56′
- WAVE 8 (9.25): sub 4h10′
- WAVE 9 (9.35): + 4h10
- Distance: 42,195 km
- ¿To beta the chrono? Yes!
- Course Map
- Regulations
- Start boxes & pacemakers
- WAVE 1: sub 2h50′
- WAVE 2: sub 2h50′ 3 sub 3h00′
- WAVE 3: sub 3h00′
- WAVE 4: sub 3h15′
- WAVE 5: sub 3h30′
- WAVE 7: sub 3h45′
- WAVE 8: sub 4h
- WAVE 9: sub 4h15 · sub 4h30′ · sub 5h
- Aid Stations:
- Km 5,4 · 10, 14,5 · 18,7 · 23 · 28,3 · 33,1 · 37,1 · 40,4
- Gel at km 16,2 y 25,8
- Finish: complete
- Extras: Free metro for runners (with card provided by the organization), cloakroom, showers, live music and entertainment, Beginner’s Corner…
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MARATÓN VALENCIA
ESTRATEGY VALENCIA MARATHON
¿To beat the chrono in Marathon? Yes!
A very flat route, with hardly any slopes (the most I remember is about the level of the first leg of the Meridiana in the Barcelona Marathon, imagine), wide streets from the start of the race (I would say that 90% of the route is always on three lanes or more), this year with some modifications to adapt it to the pandemic situation but taking advantage again to reduce the number of turns as much as possible. It is the result of gradually refining over the years a route that seeks above all to be very fast without losing its ability to attract people in the surroundings (the fans will carry you away… although it is better to slow down). And on top of that, it is held at a time of year that usually has ideal weather for runners…
Here you have everything you need, if you have arrived with good legs, to beat the clock. Any buts? Few, if not almost none. Again we have a turn, this time to the left, shortly after crossing the bridge and another quite tight after 1 km. Even so, they are very wide avenues that should not give problems when it comes to be positioned within the peloton. The wind may blow at certain points of the course (especially in the first half and in the more open areas); and that minimum slope that I told you before appears at a crucial moment of the race: from km 24 to 32 (although the part that itches something is from 30 to 32 and, even then you can go at a pace without problems).
Marathon Estrategy: At race pace (as long as you can and your legs and the wind allow it)
…But, well, this is a marathon and, beyond certain athletic realities at the popular level with the distance (you always have to get to 30 whistling), each master has his own book.
What I do have clear, and Julio confirms me, is that it is a race that could be done at a fixed pace, even in the moment that it bites a little up since that trained race pace should serve you to overcome it without problems (otherwise, it is that perhaps you have imposed one that was a little above your possibilities).
A race to memorize each partial of 5 km and go nailing it. Even so, if you lose a few seconds in the sections where the wind picks up or makes very slight rise (up the avenue of the Alameda) is not at all a drama, think that there is the possibility of recovering some of that time in more favorable sections.
The goal is to reach the BioParc intact (which, let’s say, we can call it up and is located at km 34 approx.) and take advantage of the fact that you have not blocked the legs to go at a good pace to the finish, even easily recovering time if you had lost a few seconds before. And that the passage through the half marathon can be reached with the time nailed even if you lose some time in the initial km by the jumble of people.
COURSE ANALYSIS VALENCIA MARATHON
Keys of the circuit
1/ Remodeled circuit in 2023. It was given an extra twist due to, on the one hand, some construction work and, on the other hand, a perpetual obsession with polishing details to make it even faster.
1- Naranjos and Blasco Ibáñez (up to km 5 to 8.7 and km 15.3 to 20). The works of the Cabanyal station force to reformulate the passage through that area. We will continue with the comings and goings, but the connection between Naranjos and Blasco Ibáñez is not through Lluís Peixó but through Ramon Llull.
2- Av. Alfahuir (km 11): We stretch a little more the passage along this avenue extending to the height of Av. Valladolid.
3- Eduard Boscà (km 24): Av. del Port no longer connects directly with Paseo de la Alameda, now we turn left along Eduard Boscà to connect with the Turia.
4- Navarro Reverter (km 40). To connect with Pl. de Amèrica we will do it from Navarro Reverter Avenue (more open turn) and not through Justicia.
2/More than correct signaling and high kilometer points. A race that guides you and perfectly indicates your position. And this year, in addition, the posters will have images of the city and its surroundings to give a chance to the goodness of the area.
3/ The refreshment posts are very long and you don’t lose time. Solved in 2021 the problems that caused some of them (the one that came after the half marathon, now with much more space at km 25), you never have problems in catching the water and what they offer you. The refreshment posts are served on both sides of the road and until 33.1 there will be a distance of about 5 km between them (a refreshment post is added, the one at km 23, which allows that distance between the different supply points); from there you will have reinforcement at 37.1 (ideal for taking the last gel) and 40.4. These are refreshment posts where nothing is missing and are super well served by superb volunteers. Gels are given at km 16.2 and 25.8.
- Race aid stations:
- Km 5,4 · 10, 14,5 · 18,7 · 23 · 28,3 · 33,1 · 37,1 · 40,4
- Gel at km 16,2 y 25,8
- Finish: complete
4/ The first kilometer, now all straight and you just have to keep an eye on the bike lane. The exit is still massive, but taking advantage of the full width of the Monteolivete bridge and Padre Tomás Montañana street. Of course, you have to be careful with the separators eye of the bike lane of the latter avenue. After the first 800 meters and everything is very wide and easy and is where the runners of the two sides of the avenue merge (av. Balears).
5/ The first loop to half marathon is very flat. Very few streets where you can appreciate a minimum slope (maybe a little from km 3 to 7 and 8 to 11, but I would say that it does not reach 1% and is compensated on the return), plus you can run a lot.
6/ …But also a bit boring. We repeated several streets back and forth and that weighs mentally. Fortunately it is an area where the companions can encourage you several times from different points without making huge trips. That helps.
7/ …And you can get wind. In the Cabanyal sector (both going and returning), and in Ronda Norte (both in this first section of the Politécnico and in the second one at Benimaclet) it can also affect us.
8/ …And the first pass through the Alameda (and the previous kilometers) is spectacular. For the amount of people that crowd and all the animation that there is. In addition, this year will no longer be the provisioning arranged at that point which will allow even more people to turn and be on top. One of the most enjoyable areas.
9/ The second half marathon is a bit more challenging.
- It saves the Alameda, which at some point gives the feeling that it stings a little on the way out, but it is to maintain the pace of race without difficulty if we are sober.
- It is very favorable and fast until 31 (the return of the Alameda and the entire stretch that leads to the Gran Via). It is true that Ciutat Vella is a little narrower than the rest of the circuit and that in large groups you will not go so comfortable.
- Then we have to run to the Bio Parc extending through Vall de la Ballestera by very wide avenues and with a slope that is positive but that for some years is very smoothed and where less stretch is done (much better mentally and physical effort). The slope is almost negligible (the same as before: if your running pace was the right one, here you could keep it without problems; if you’re just right, better to go down a little).
- From Bio Parc -Pío Baroja- (km 34) you can run a lot.
10/ … And it also saves you the most grateful parts of the route. The longest stretch of the Paseo de la Alameda and the passage through Ciutat Vella, plus a final 5 kilometers approaching the finish crowded with people (although fans are not lacking almost at any time along the entire route).
11/ The end: simply spectacular. Since 2021 there are fewer meters but I think it makes it more spectacular and grateful: at the time of facing the ramp down we will have just over 300 meters that will be on the legendary blue floating platform. Now yes, you take the ramp and gas!
ROUTE DESCRIPTION VALENCIA MARATHON
Amber: Medium difficulty (gentle false-rolling, wind or overcrowding).
Green: Low difficulty (flat or downhill).
1/ Start & firts meters
START TO km 2,5
Already from the start the Valencia Marathon impresses: just in front of us is located the Monteolivete bridge and there we will have to go through and then go around the traffic circle of Europa sq. and continue on both sides of the street Padre Tomás Montañana.
With so many people you know that these first meters usually go a little slower and you have to be careful not to bump into the separators of the bike lane or push with fellow laborers, but I think that after the first km you can go looking for your race pace with some more calm.
2/ Cabanyal, av. de los Naranjos & Blasco Ibáñez
Km 2,5 TO 8,7
Already from the Cabanyal, we get more than 4 kilometers between chest and back in just two streets, and up to Av. Catalunya are two more streets, but much shorter (especially Blasco Ibáñez, where we will kick more when we are back), but I tell you that this will come in handy to know in what state we are that day.
Already with our space in the peloton agreed it’s time to go printing a race pace that will be according to what we had memorized in training but adapted to two factors: how we have woken up that day (WITH EAGER: we continue with the plan; WITH BAD FEELINGS: we slow down a point) and the wind that may appear (especially along the street Eugenia Vinyes which is the closest to the sea). Totally flat, the out and back of the Av. de los Naranjos (which is much shorter on the way back -watch out for the streetcar rails when we make the double 90º turn around Av. Cataluña-) will be the first point where the companions will be there to cheer you on.
3/ Benimaclet and Pla del Real loop
Km 8,7 to 15,3
A lap that goes from the blandest and least lively of the race (the part on the outskirts of Benimaclet along the Boulevard Periférico Norte; watch out for the possible wind) to one of the most attractive and noisy (starting at Dolores Marqués -watch out for the streetcar rails at Dr. Vicente Zaragozá- and continuing down the Passeig de la Alameda for the first time).
The plan remains the same: maintain a steady pace and nothing agonizing that allows us to run with the feeling that at any time we can give much more gas.
4/Returning through Blasco Ibánez and Av. Naranjos
Km 15,3 to 20
It can be a little tiring, mostly because before and returning from the previous loop was almost straight to the Cabanyal and now we have a round trip through Blasco Ibáñez and back through the Naranjos.
There is not much mystery, but it is true that it can be a bit uphill with so much back and forth, so there is nothing else to do but keep a cool mind, square pace and let’s do it without problems.
5/ Returning to Passeig de l’Albareda
Km 20 to 24,2
We go down again to Cabanyal to redo part of the path of the beginning of the race although this time we will not get so close to the sea (so we go a little more sheltered from the wind that, even so, can affect by carrer de la Reina) and, fortunately, we avoid tracing in reverse the same streets.
The gradients are still negligible and at most you might notice that it is very lightly choppy for the long straight of Av. del Port, which this year will not connect directly to the passeig de l’Albareda but we will do it by Eduard Boscà. You can run at race pace although there is already a tendency at the end of the race to slightly uphill. Watch out for the wind!
6/ Passeig de l’Albareda to Pont de les Arts
Km 24,5 to 29
Before we had witnessed a teaser of what is coming in terms of race atmosphere and now we have to live it fully up parallel to the Turia riverbed.
It’s amazing, you’ll see. Lots of people crowded in the surroundings cheering you and a long and beautiful avenue that until km 27.5 (that is, before turning around) remains between flat or slightly uphill (at the end something is noticeable) but not enough to be a brake on our race pace (unless you feel you’re going forced or the wind appears; in that case it is better to go down a gear). Then when you go half a lap you will notice that profile is more favorable, you’ll see.
7/ Ciutat Vella
Km 29 to 31
We will enter the old part of the city, the most commercial and monumental part. We will continue to have a large presence of fans and fallers giving encouragement and in a very favorable stretch in terms of slope and really beautiful that runs through avenues even more beautiful but also the most twisty.
It is allowed to let yourself be enraptured but do not forget to continue giving wax to the legs (and do not let yourself come too high with the encouragement of the people!)
8/ To the Bio Parc
Km 31 to 34
The other stretch that itches… and I can already tell you that it is a minutiae, at most 1% and occasionally (and this year it has been cut). It is only noticeable if you arrive here with just enough legs… So the important thing is to be aware of what is our optimal pace and not to force it.
The important thing is to finish this section that is tobogganing (until just beyond reaching the Av. general Avilés. about km 33.5) without blocking your legs so you can then run faster and easily recover that time. The wind may make an appearance and, then, you have to have a lot of head and adapt the pace in this area because the legs begin to fail and the kilometers pass very slowly.
9/ To the Center
Km 34 a 38,5
If we’ve done our homework well and haven’t messed up by going on fire, here you can either a/keep up your race pace; or b/express yourself a bit and easily make up for lost time earlier. You have the terrain (it starts gently downhill and ends up flat) and legs for it. But, as Julio points out to me, it is perhaps the stretch where the bogeyman plays a key role. The area near the Bioparc is a 2 km straight (which is not the longest: the Alameda was longer but the people carry you on their backs) that is mentally hard because it is long and the points of the course where there are fewer people cheering, but it will help you to concentrate and go for it.
Advice: Don’t get blinded running at full speed because there are still 9 kilometers to the finish line and you will end up suffering when the terrain is not so favorable, better to recover little by little.
10/ To the Ciutat de les Arts
Km 38,5 to 41,8
There is no longer any slope to feel loose but it is compensated by the fact that little by little the atmosphere will become livelier until you reach a point where you find yourself back in the heart of the city and with many people clapping their hands.
Not to mention when you face the Passeig de la Ciutadella towards the Ciutat de les Arts, with the sides crowded with people. It is a stretch of pure and hard endurance, trying to maintain a steady race pace although the legs are no longer so fresh.
11/ The big finish
Km 41,8 to FINISH
400 meters of tribute to you that you have worked hard. If you’re going for a record, then you have no choice but to keep giving gas from the moment you see the downhill ramp that will already be decked in blue and presents the majestic finish line, but if you do not come from that I recommend you to go down a gear and enjoy both the environment and the great atmosphere. I did it at the time and it is a memory that I take with me forever.
CHEAT SHEET VALENCIA MARATHON
Blogmaldito is a blog with a ‘Non Profit’ philosophy. What does this mean? It means that I have as a principle that all the contents are yours as long as you don’t make a commercial and interested use of them. I do what I do as a hobby and from the perspective of a popular runner for the rest of the runners and friends I meet in the races. That’s why I can’t and don’t want to make money from running. I don’t accept invitations or gifts. I am not for sale. For me it’s already a gift that someone bothers to take the time to read me and talk about this madness of freaks running around the streets and mountains.
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