Historic participation record at the 46th edition of the Zurich International Marathon Donostia–San Sebastián with 11,500 registered runners

● The race will take place on Sunday, November 23, featuring two distances: 10K and 42K.
● A total of 70 nationalities will be represented, with 29% female participation and 35% international athletes.
● The Expo Sports will open on Friday, November 21 at 4:00 PM at the Kursaal Congress Centre.

20.11.2025 – The second-oldest marathon in Spain, the Zurich International Marathon Donostia–San Sebastián, celebrates its 46th edition this year, reaching a historic participation record.

A total of 11,500 runners will take part: 7,000 in the marathon (42K) and 4,500 in the 10K race.

The event was officially presented this morning at the City Hall of Donostia–San Sebastián, chaired by the city’s new mayor, Ion Insasuti, who will also be present at the starting line on race day. Institutional representatives, organizers, and sponsors also attended, including Carlos Chapa, Regional Director North Area of Zurich Insurance, main sponsor of the event, along with notable figures from Gipuzkoan athletics.

The 2025 edition will feature athletes from 70 countries. Spain (7,450 runners), France (2,109), and the UK (806) are the most represented nations. International participation reaches 35%, while 65% come from across Spain. The most populated age group is 25–34 years old, with 3,600 athletes, confirming the race’s growing appeal among younger runners.

One of the fastest marathons in Spain

One of the key highlights of this edition is that the Zurich International Marathon San Sebastián will not feature international elite athletes, making it the only major Spanish marathon composed entirely of amateur runners. This creates a more open and emotionally engaging race while maintaining its fast nature.

In the previous edition, the average finishing time was 3:34:45, positioning San Sebastián among the fastest marathons in the country. Additionally, 79% of participants finished under 4 hours, and 18% completed the race in under 3 hours.

The course, redesigned in 2022 and adapted this year to accommodate increased participation, features two identical large loops and a modified first short loop. The certified route passes through Amara, Anoeta, El Antiguo, Centro, and Gros. The start line will be located on Hernani Street, with the finish at the iconic Boulevard of Donostia–San Sebastián, a landmark for major sporting events such as the Tour de France, La Vuelta, and the Behobia–San Sebastián.

Eight pacing groups will guide runners at different target times between 2:45 and 5 hours. The event will also serve as the Gipuzkoa and Basque Country Marathon Championships, in both individual and team categories.

Start times are set for 8:15 AM (10K) and 9:00 AM (42K), with wave starts implemented for the first time in the race’s history (two waves in the 10K and three in the marathon). More than 500 volunteers from local athletics clubs will support the event across aid stations, logistics, and race services. The course will include 8 entertainment points.

The Kursaal Congress Centre will once again serve as the event’s hub, hosting the Expo Sports from Friday 4:00 PM, where runners will collect their bibs and race kits.

Zurich Insurance, main sponsor for the 10th consecutive year

Zurich Insurance celebrates a decade as main sponsor of the San Sebastián Marathon, which is part of the “Las 5 Grandes” marathon circuit. A total of 259 runners will aim to complete the five major Spanish marathons in San Sebastián this year.

Additionally, the Z Zurich Foundation will donate €1 per finisher to UNICEF.

This year also marks the arrival of Aena as a new main sponsor, reinforcing the increasingly international profile of the race, as its airports welcome thousands of runners and companions from 70 countries.