The course of the Zurich Marathon San Sebastián 2023, the most monumental of this city’s races

• The course of the great athletics festival in San Sebastián is the ideal circuit to discover the city while running it

San Sebastian has been chosen as the fifth best city in the world to visit, following the criteria of services offered by the place, the food and the atmosphere at the TOP10 of the Readers’ Choice Awards 2022, by CN Traveller magazine. A distinction that is one more reason to enjoy the Zurich Maratón San Sebastián on 26th of November, the great celebration of athletics in this city.

Preceding the Clásica Salto 15K (22th of October) and the Behobia (12th of November), the marathon is the culmination of the running season in San Sebastián. Moreover, this year is the 45th edition of this event, which was held for the first time in 1978. In fact, the Zurich Maratón San Sebastián is the second oldest marathon in Spain, and its participation is improving year after year. In the last edition, it sold out all three distances with a total of 6,000 runners and, for this year 2023, it already has more than 1,200 registrations for the 42K distance alone, with half a year to go until race day.

Next 26th of November, participants in the Donostia Marathon will be able to choose between three options to enjoy the day: the classic 42 kilometres, a half-marathon (21 kilometres) and a 10K, so that each runner can choose the distance that best suits their expectations and in which all types of runners can fit in.

A monumental, fast and flat course
The course of the Zurich Maratón San Sebastián in its three distances is urban and flat, passing through the most emblematic places of San Sebastián and always at sea level. It is a monumental route, ideal for setting personal bests.

The start and finish line are located in the privileged setting of Calle Hernani, the heart of the city centre, next to the City Hall and the Alderdi Eder gardens. It continues through the old town to find the Paseo Nuevo: up to 3 kilometres along the 3 most famous beaches of Donostia, Zurriola, La Concha and Ondarreta, passing through the central neighbourhoods of Amara and Gros, the Boulevard and the Kursaal bridge next to the Vitoria Eugenia Theatre. In addition, the 21K and 42K long distance runs also reach the Plaza Guipuzkoa, extending from Ondarreta towards the University Area and reaching the Anoeta Stadium.

Likewise, to fully enjoy the Zurich Maratón San Sebastián experience, it is essential to enjoy going out for Pintxos in Donostia, preferably after running. A city that is a reference point for gastronomic tourism and its culinary jewels are the Pintxos, which even have their own Institute.

Moreover, San Sebastián is also the city with the most Michelin Stars per square metre in Spain, the cradle of national haute cuisine and the world capital of these delicious morsels that we love so much. So, to complete this experience, it is necessary to let the gastronomy of San Sebastián help you regain your strength after completing any of the three distances of this event.