The world marathon champions Martín Fiz, who recently ran his last 42-kilometer race in New York, and Abel Antón sponsored this Friday the official launch of the Generali Málaga Marathon, which will take place this Sunday starting at 8:30 a.m., in what promises to be a historic edition with more than double the number of runners across its two distances: the marathon and the half-marathon.
The event, held at the Runner Fair at the Palace of Fairs and Congresses of Málaga (FYCMA), also featured Daniel Pérez Martínez, the Director General of Sports for the Málaga City Council; Manuel Ruiz, Generali’s Southeast Regional Director; and Pablo Gálvez, Director of the Generali Málaga Marathon and representative of Last Lap-Atresmedia.
The event will bring together 17,000 runners, evenly split between the marathon and the half-marathon, a figure that is more than double the 7,864 participants registered in 2022. The international dimension remains one of the main indicators of the race’s growth: 69% of entrants will be foreigners, compared to 31% national participants, among whom 13% of the total are Málaga runners. United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Poland, and Belgium lead the list of countries with the highest representation.
In terms of participation profile, 66% of the runners will be men and 34% women. These figures reflect the growing appeal of an event that has established itself as one of the city’s major sporting and tourist happenings.
A GROWTH THAT EXTENDS BEYOND ITS BORDERS
“It is a pride to be here and to see how an event I have known since its beginnings has grown. We fought many days and nights to get here, and I know what it takes to organize a race of this magnitude,” said Daniel Pérez. The Director General of Sports thanked the work of the organizers, the volunteers, the sponsors and all bodies involved, as well as the warm reception from the people of Málaga, who “embrace the race as their own.” “Years ago we dreamed of a race like this, but we scarcely believed it could become a reality. Now it is. On behalf of the entire City Council and the mayor, this event is a luxury, a source of pride and a pleasure,” he added, welcoming both local participants and those arriving from other countries.
The 2026 edition also debuts a new date, moving from December to early November to avoid clashing with Christmas preparations, reduce mobility problems and encourage the city to take advantage of the economic and tourist impact of thousands of visitors during a less saturated period.
THE COURSE, FAST, COMFORTABLE AND SCENIC
It also presents a modified route, flatter and with fewer curves, which will allow for a faster course with greater prominence given to Málaga’s coastline. The new circuit nevertheless preserves passage through some of the city’s most emblematic landmarks. In the last two kilometers, runners will pass through Constitution Square, Larios Street and Marina Square before finishing at the Paseo del Parque.
In sporting terms, two indispensable figures of Spanish athletics will serve as ambassadors of the event. Abel Antón thanked the city of Málaga for its hospitality and highlighted the satisfaction of seeing the marathon continue to grow. The two-time world champion at the distance will also feature on the asphalt, as he will participate in the half-marathon.
Meanwhile, Martín Fiz arrives in Málaga after bidding farewell to the 42 kilometers at the New York Marathon. The 1995 world champion highlighted the growth of the Málaga race and encouraged dreamers to aim high. “Comparisons with New York are difficult, but this event is getting closer all the time. Why not dream of a marathon with 30,000 people? I hope I can keep running here at 80,” he commented.
Pablo Gálvez, director of the Generali Málaga Marathon, wished to emphasize the collective effort that makes a race of this scale possible.
“I want to thank all the bodies that make it possible for this race to keep growing: the organizers, the City Hall, the sponsors and, of course, the participants. It is everyone’s work that allows us to keep moving forward,” he said.
GENERALI, FIVE YEARS OF COMMITMENT TO MALAGA
The commitment of Generali to the event now reaches five years of collaboration. Manuel Ruiz, the company’s Southeast Regional Director, expressed his satisfaction at being part of a project that contributes to Málaga’s international profile. “As a Málaga native, it is a pride that our city is known for a race that draws so many people from outside. That we at Generali are walking this path alongside the Málaga Marathon is very satisfying,” he explained. The insurer also maintains its links with other major international events, such as the Berlin and Milan marathons.
Sport and well-being form part of Generali’s philosophy, which promotes physical activity and fights sedentary living through values such as perseverance, improvement, discipline, personal relationships and a sense of community.
The Generali Málaga Marathon will also broaden its international projection through television broadcasting, reaching 150 countries and 250 channels, with coverage extending especially to the American continent. The race will be broadcast via RTVE, DAZN and Eurosport.
The event also maintains its charitable commitment. During the ceremony, Daniel Pérez and Manuel Ruiz presented a check for €5,000 to The Human Safety Net, Generali’s foundation that supports vulnerable families with young children and refugees in their social and employment integration processes. The contribution comes from the collaboration of the runners who finished the previous edition.
Participants will be able to pick up their bib numbers at the Runner’s Fair, open this Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November, from 10:00 to 20:00 at FYCMA. The marathon and half-marathon races will begin on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. from the Paseo del Parque, with eight corrals and three starting waves.
