Madrid Marathon
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Elevation Gain
100m
Elevation Range
43m
Avg Temperature
55°F / 13°C
Course Profile
rolling
Course Map & Elevation
This route is generated and may not follow the exact official course.
Course Overview
A rolling city loop with approximately 100m of total elevation gain, entirely at 635-678m above sea level — making Madrid the highest-elevation major city marathon in Western Europe. The course starts and finishes on Paseo del Prado near Retiro Park. The defining feature is altitude: your aerobic system works 2-3% harder than at sea level, and the combination of altitude with gentle but persistent undulations is the real challenge, not any single hill.
Key Segments
City Centre Climb & Gran Via
Terrain: Gentle climb from 655m to course high point of 675m near km 10, passing through Plaza de Cibeles, Gran Via, and Plaza de Espana
Challenge: The energy cost of even a gentle uphill at 650m+ altitude is higher than it feels. The adrenaline of passing Gran Via tempts fast opening splits.
Tactic: Run the first 5km at least 5-8 sec/km slower than your sea-level target. The altitude penalty is invisible early but devastating later.
Casa de Campo & Manzanares River
Terrain: Descent from 675m to the course low point at 635m near the Manzanares River, then flat along the river
Challenge: The descent into Casa de Campo feels like free speed, but the river section is where you should settle in, not accelerate.
Tactic: Enjoy the shade in Casa de Campo on warm days. Settle into marathon pace along the river and focus on fuelling. Take carbohydrates at every opportunity from km 15 onward.
The Decisive Climb Back
Terrain: Sustained climb of ~40m over 8km from the river (635m) back through the Royal Palace and Puerta del Sol to 678m
Challenge: The most important section of the race. Altitude plus accumulated fatigue plus uphill conspire to break runners who went out too fast.
Tactic: Shorten stride, keep cadence high, run by effort not pace. If you have been disciplined early, this is where you pass people.
Rolling Return to Retiro
Terrain: Rolling terrain between 640m and 660m through eastern Madrid, finishing flat along Paseo del Prado at 655m
Challenge: The altitude fatigue peaks in the final 12km. The rolling terrain offers no true rest, but the last 3km along Paseo del Prado are essentially flat.
Tactic: Hold form through the rolling kilometres. The flat final stretch past the Prado Museum is your reward for pacing discipline.
Race-Specific Training
- •If you live and train near sea level, arrive in Madrid at least 48 hours early to partially acclimatise, and set your goal pace 5-10 sec/km slower than you would target at a sea-level race
- •Include hill repeats of 200-400m at 3-5% gradient to prepare for the gentle but persistent undulations that accumulate at altitude
- •Practice drinking at every aid station from the start — the combination of 650m altitude and Madrid's dry continental climate increases fluid loss beyond what you might expect
Conditions & Environment
Altitude
The entire course sits at 635-678m above sea level. Reduced oxygen availability means your aerobic system works ~2-3% harder than at sea level.
Weather
April. Morning temps 8-12C (46-54F) at the 9am start, rising to 16-20C (61-68F) by midday. Occasional warm spells can push above 22C (72F). Very dry with low humidity.
Sun & Wind
Low humidity aids cooling but increases dehydration risk. Wind is generally not a factor in Madrid's urban streets, though Casa de Campo park can be exposed.
What to Wear
Light layers for the cool morning start, strippable as temperatures rise. The dry air means sweat evaporates fast — you may not realise how much fluid you are losing.
Pacing Strategy
| Segment | Pace | Note |
|---|---|---|
| km 0-10 | 5-8 sec/km slower than sea-level goal pace | Gentle climb to 675m. Do not chase pace — the altitude penalty is invisible early but devastating later. |
| km 10-22 | Goal pace (altitude-adjusted) | Descent to river and flat stretch. Settle in and fuel aggressively. |
| km 22-30 | Effort-based, 5-15 sec/km slower on climbs | The decisive climb back to 678m. Run by effort. This is where disciplined early pacing pays off. |
| km 30-42.195 | Goal pace (altitude-adjusted) or faster | Rolling return to Retiro. Hold form through the undulations. Flat final 3km along the Prado. |
Race Day Tip
Drink at every aid station from the start, even if you do not feel thirsty. The combination of 650m altitude and Madrid's dry continental air increases fluid loss far beyond what most sea-level-trained runners expect. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already behind on hydration.
Race details subject to change. Verify with the official race website.
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