Barcelona Marathon

The Barcelona Marathon is not yet in the pantheon of Europe's great marathons — and we love it exactly for that reason. It doesn't have the fame of London or Berlin, it doesn't have Boston's waiting times, it doesn't have New York's prices. And yet it's one of the most characterful marathons on the continent: over 30,000 participants, a course that winds through the city's most beautiful neighbourhoods from El Born to the seafront, along the Diagonal and through the old town, with perfect conditions for a personal best.

It runs in March, when in Barcelona the morning light is that sharp winter clarity that makes everything more vivid and temperatures are ideal for running fast. It's the perfect moment for those who want to get ahead of the big April races — London, Boston, Rotterdam — with a fast and beautiful marathon, in a city that knows how to treat runners well.

The RunAway team has already run it four times. We know where to stay, how to manage the days before, what to eat, how to arrive at the start line in the best shape. We bring you here with everything you need: accommodation in Gràcia, away from the city centre chaos but right next to the real Barcelona, race bib pick-up at the expo, mobility and stretching session, Saturday evening pasta party and plenty of rest. Sunday morning: 42 km with Barcelona all to yourself.