About this race
One of Spain's best-loved city halves. The route winds past Málaga's cathedral, the Roman theatre, Picasso's birthplace and the yacht-lined marina before finishing on the Paseo del Parque. Fantastic support, great weather and a city built for a post-race weekend.
The race
The Zurich Málaga Half Marathon regularly attracts 8,000+ finishers and is a World Athletics-labelled Road Race, meaning fast fields at the front and superbly organised logistics for the rest of us. Chip timing, generous cut-offs, English-speaking briefings and a huge expo at the Palacio de Ferias make it an easy first Spanish race.
The course
A largely flat, city-centre loop starting on Avenida de Cervantes beside the port. Runners head east along the seafront to La Malagueta beach, back through the historic centre past the Alcazaba and Roman theatre, out towards the Guadalmedina river and then home along Muelle Uno. Two very gentle rises but nothing that will slow a PB attempt.
Course
Flat city-centre loop
Elevation gain
~60 m total
Field size
~8,000 runners
World Athletics
Labelled Road Race
The destination
Málaga has quietly become one of southern Europe's best short-break cities — the Picasso Museum, Centre Pompidou, Muelle Uno waterfront, Atarazanas food market and El Pimpi bodega are all within walking distance of the finish line. Direct high-speed AVE trains connect to Córdoba, Seville and Granada if you want to extend the trip.
Climate & race-day weather
March in Málaga averages 12°C at dawn rising to 20°C by lunchtime, with long dry spells and around 8 hours of sunshine a day. Warmer than a UK spring but rarely too hot to race.
Getting there
Málaga (AGP) is 15 minutes from the city by taxi or Cercanías train (line C1 direct to Málaga Centro–Alameda). Frequent direct flights from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin and more.
Trip highlights
- Historic city course past cathedral & marina
- Big crowd support throughout
- Ideal spring temperatures
- Andalucía at its most vibrant
