Estepona will make sporting history this autumn when the city hosts the first Maratón de Estepona Jardín de la Costa del Sol, bringing runners from around the world to one of the most attractive stretches of the Mediterranean coastline.
The event will take place on Sunday 11 October 2026, with both a full marathon and half marathon starting at 8.30 am from the Municipal Athletics Stadium in Estepona. The new 42-kilometre race will be held alongside the fifth edition of the city’s established half marathon.
A marathon beside the Mediterranean
The full marathon will cover the official distance of 42 kilometres and 195 metres, following a route that makes extensive use of Estepona’s coastal corridor.
Participants will be able to experience the town from a unique perspective as they run beside the Mediterranean and through areas that have helped establish Estepona’s reputation as the Garden of the Costa del Sol.
The route has been designed to showcase the city’s coastline, urban centre and garden-filled streets while creating a memorable challenge for both local and visiting athletes. Organisers hope the combination of sport, sea views and Estepona’s typically mild autumn weather will help establish the race as an important fixture on the national and international running calendar.
Two distances available
Runners can choose between the full 42K marathon and the traditional 21K half marathon.
The marathon provides an opportunity for experienced distance runners to take part in the first edition of a completely new event, while the half marathon offers a more accessible challenge for those not yet ready to tackle the full distance.
Although the 42K race is being held for the first time, the event builds on the success of Estepona’s previous half marathons, which have attracted increasing numbers of competitors during their first four editions.
A boutique running experience
Rather than attempting to create a heavily crowded mass-participation race, the Maratón de Estepona is being promoted as a carefully managed “boutique marathon”.
Participation in the inaugural event is limited to 2,000 runners, allowing organisers to offer a more personalised experience and avoid excessive congestion, particularly along narrower sections of the coastal path.
Interest has already been strong. By 27 July, more than 1,000 runners representing over 50 nationalities had registered. International participation has been particularly notable among runners from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Ireland.
Estepona’s proximity to both Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport and Gibraltar Airport is expected to make the event especially attractive to runners looking to combine a sporting challenge with a short break on the Costa del Sol.
Registration details
Registrations are currently open through the official Maratón Costa del Sol Estepona website.
The current entry fee is €60 for the full marathon and €35 for the half marathon, with taxes included. As the race is limited to 2,000 participants and more than half of the available places have already been reserved, anyone wishing to take part is advised to register early.
During the online registration process, participants must select either the marathon or half-marathon distance and provide the required personal and runner information. Registration is managed through the RockTheSport platform.
The official race website will also publish the latest information concerning the course, race regulations, collection of race numbers and services available to participants.
A showcase for Estepona
The Maratón de Estepona Jardín de la Costa del Sol is intended to be more than simply a road race. It forms part of the town’s continuing efforts to establish itself as an international destination for active tourism, combining sport with quality of life and the natural attractions of the Costa del Sol.
With a scenic coastal course, a limited field and runners arriving from dozens of countries, the first edition promises to deliver a memorable day for competitors, spectators and the wider community.
Whether attempting the complete marathon distance or taking on the 21K challenge, participants will have the opportunity to become part of a new chapter in Estepona’s sporting history.
Maratón de Estepona Jardín de la Costa del Sol
The race takes place on Sunday 11 October 2026, starting at 8.30 am from the Municipal Athletics Stadium in Estepona. The available distances are 42K and 21K, with current registration fees of €60 and €35 respectively.
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