In just a few years, the Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich has transformed from a mostly Spanish running event into an international showcase where foreign participants are now the majority. This shift hasn’t happened by chance—behind it is a clear strategy that mixes global visibility, elite competition and a strong economic return for the city. In this article, we break down how participation has changed, why fewer Spanish runners are getting bibs, how international tourism impacts the city, and what this all means for the race’s identity.
A quick look at the numbers: foreign runners now lead
The growth of international participation is not just visible—it’s measurable. In 2019, 39% of marathon participants were from outside Spain. Fast forward to 2024, and 63% of all runners were foreigners, totaling over 20,000 international entries.
France, Italy, and the UK lead the list, but countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and the USA are quickly rising. Part of this trend comes from the Platinum Label awarded by World Athletics, but the boom also reflects aggressive promotion at international expos and on social media, as well as solid word-of-mouth among runners.
But this shift also raises an important question—what’s the tradeoff?
Tourist impact: how much do foreign runners spend?
Foreign runners don’t just come to race—they come to travel. And it shows. In 2024, the average daily spend of international runners was €194.70, compared to €161 for Spanish participants. They also tend to stay more days, generating more hotel nights and spending on food, retail, and transport.
The overall economic impact of the event grew from €31.3 million in 2023 to €39.9 million in 2024, a 27.5% jump. This growth benefits not only hotels and restaurants but also local shops, tourist services, and large side events like Expo Deporte, the runner’s fair, which keeps getting bigger every year.
Plus, for every €1 invested in organizing the event, the city sees €5.3 in return through tourist spending and €1.9 in public revenue—making the marathon a major financial asset for the local government.
But that success has its consequences.
A strategy focused on profitability
Valencia’s rise didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of a deliberate, revenue-driven strategy:
Increasingly expensive bibs
Marketing efforts aimed at international runners
Fast sell-outs, like the 2025 edition, which sold out in just weeks. Here’s more about the registration process.
The event now operates like a World Marathon Major, offering a premium experience—but clearly targeted at a runner profile with greater spending power.
This approach hasn’t gone unnoticed by Spanish locals, who feel it’s becoming harder and harder to take part unless you’re fast, rich, or very lucky.
What’s left of the race’s popular spirit?
Valencia has achieved what many European cities have tried for years: a high-profile, well-organized marathon with live international coverage and global prestige. But in building that reputation, it may have lost part of its identity as a grassroots, accessible race.
The real question is no longer whether the marathon is a success (it is), but whether it still feels like a local event and is truly open to everyone.
If you’re planning to run in Valencia in 2025 and don’t have a bib yet, you might want to check out this guide to the waiting list and alternatives. Because yes—it’s getting harder… and more expensive.
