San Sebastián’s marathon is a flat, sea-level road race through the Basque city, with the bay nearby and a 10K on the same day. Held in November, the Zurich Maratón Donostia San Sebastián offers runners an urban course designed for consistent pacing, personal-best attempts, and first-time marathoners seeking a fast route without inclines.
The race is the second oldest marathon in Spain, and its history lends it significant local importance: the city’s mayor has likened finishing it to reaching a personal Olympus for San Sebastián residents. The route runs alongside the bay and through the eastern part of the city, while club runners, visitors aiming for fast times, 10K participants, and locals all contribute to the race weekend. Runners frequently mention the crowd support as a key attraction, alongside the opportunity to combine a quick marathon with a post-race pintxos meal.