This coming Sunday, February 15, the 41st edition of the Zurich Maratón de Sevilla will take place, attracting a record number of 17,000 runners. This is 3,000 more than last year, making the event the city's third most important economic occasion. However, organizers had to contend with major railway disruptions, offering affected participants the option to defer their start to 2027.

Historic attendance record

17,000 people will take part in the race, a record number in the marathon's 41-year history, exceeding last year by 3,000 starters.

Disruptions for travelers

Due to a failure of the AVE high-speed rail, organizers have enabled runners to defer their start to 2027 without additional fees.

Traffic paralysis in Seville

From Friday evening until Sunday afternoon, numerous streets will be closed, and 9 bus lines of Tussam have changed their regular routes.

The upcoming 41st edition of the Zurich Maratón de Sevilla will go down in history as record-breaking in terms of attendance. 17,000 participants will line up at the starting line on Avenida de María Luisa, representing an increase of 3,000 runners compared to last year. This event, alongside Holy Week celebrations and the April Fair, has become the third economic pillar of the Andalusian capital. The marathon route, known for its flat profile, attracts both amateurs and 200 elite athletes hoping to set personal bests in favorable climatic conditions. However, preparations for the race were not without complications. Serious failures in the AVE rail network prevented many competitors from reaching the city on time. In response to this crisis situation, the Seville city authorities and the company Sportlife decided on an unprecedented gesture: runners stranded at stations will be able to transfer their race packages free of charge to the 2027 edition. Meanwhile, in the city itself, strict traffic organization changes have been in effect since Friday evening, including the closure of key arteries and modifications to the routes of the municipal bus operator Tussam. The tradition of the marathon in Seville dates back to 1985, and the event has for decades promoted a sporting tribute to Pheidippides, the Greek messenger whose run from Marathon to Athens became the foundation of the modern 42.195 km distance.City services are urging residents to use the metro and suburban rail services, as the city center will be completely closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday from 8:30 until early afternoon hours. The record number of registrations also includes the highest-ever percentage of women and foreign runners, confirming the international status of the event which holds a Gold Label certificate from World Athletics. 17 000 — runners will start in this year's marathon It is worth noting that the marathon is not only a sporting challenge but also a logistical one. Since Friday, the Expo del Corredor exhibition center has been operating at Fibes, where participants collect their race numbers. The city anticipates that the benefit for the local hotel and gastronomy sector will exceed results from previous years, which is crucial for the stability of the Andalusian regional budget. Growth in marathon participants: 2025: 14000, 2026: 17000 Seville Marathon Schedule: February 13, 18:00 — Start of Tussam bus detours; February 15, 08:30 — Marathon start at Avenida de María Luisa; February 15, 14:30 — Planned restoration of vehicular traffic

Mentioned People

  • Pheidippides — the Greek messenger whose run from Marathon to Athens became the foundation of the modern 42.195 km distance