Generali Maratón Málaga

Mario Garcia

Author

Running coach

Mario García Cárdenas is a Málaga-based coach with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Granada and a Master’s in Sports Research.

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Thinking about running in Málaga, whether the marathon (42K) or half marathon (21K)? This article is for you: clear information, practical insights about the course, and most importantly, real experiences from runners who have already taken on the distance.

What exactly is the Generali Maratón Málaga?

• City: Málaga, Costa del Sol
• Next date (reference): Sunday, December 14th (2025 in the official guide, format stays the same year after year)
• Distances:
  • Marathon: 42.195 km
  • Half marathon: 21.097 km (share the first 21 km)
• Start times and waves: Starts from 8:30am, in three waves (8:30, 8:40, and 8:50) based on your level:
  • 1st: elite and sub 3h15' (42K) / sub 1h30' (21K)
  • 2nd: 3h15'–4h (42K) / 1h30–1h45' (21K)
  • 3rd: 4h–5h30' (42K) / 1h45–2h30' (21K)
• Cut-off times:
  • Marathon: 5h30'
  • Half: 2h45'
• Aid stations:
  • Marathon: 12 points + finish
  • Half: 4 points + finish B
• Pacers:
  • Marathon: 3:00 · 3:15 · 3:30 · 3:45 · 4:00 · 4:15 · 4:30
  • Half (equivalent): 1:30 · 1:38 · 1:45 · 1:53 · 2:00 · 2:08 · 2:15
• Extras: free bus for runners, bag drop, showers, live music, finisher medal and some extra goodies for marathon runners

In short, this is a race with excellent organizational and athletic standards, well-established and beautifully structured. It also gives runners the chance to combine competition with a proper city break: sun, sea, and a marathon or half marathon perfect for closing out the year in Málaga's eternal summer.

The course: sea, city… and a few hidden traps

New and more "coastal" circuit

The course was revamped in 2025: more stretches along the sea, fewer ugly sections on highways and industrial areas, and even gentler elevation for both the marathon and half.

Key points of the new route:

• The first 21 km are shared by marathon and half (same start, different finish).
• Initial loop through a more urban area (Mármoles / La Aurora) before hitting the coast.
• The climb to La Rosaleda has been moved to after the half marathon point, so it won't destroy you at km 25.
• Much more running along the sea heading east and west from km 25 to 40.

Conclusion: the course is now more attractive, flatter, and visually very rewarding, but keep in mind the potential wind factor and the certain monotony of accumulating so many similar kilometers.

The half marathon from the inside: a runner's voice

Here's where the human element comes in. This runner could be speaking directly to you, and this is how she experienced the race from the inside:

"This half marathon was my fifth, but no matter how many you run, I always think it's a distance you need to respect; it forces you to train, to be physically and mentally prepared. I don't have a time goal (though improving makes you happy), my main objective is to finish without suffering."

The pre-race buzz

"It all starts with picking up your bib, that's the first rush, where the nerves kick in, where you never sleep well the night before…"

Málaga helps:

• Big expo at the Cruise Terminal.
• Great atmosphere over two days.
• You go to bed with your bib in the bag… and your head racing.

Half marathon experiences through the years

She tells it unfiltered:

First half: "I learned you can't follow someone if you're not at their level… the last kilometers felt endless, I arrived and bonked hard. Awful."

Second half: "I trained, but I missed sessions; km 18 was my wall, where you think: 'why do I put myself through this'."

Sound familiar? Going out too fast, not arriving fresh at km 18-20, fading just when the atmosphere is at its best.

Now the beautiful part:

"This year I think it was the first time I truly enjoyed it, where sure you arrive tired, but not destroyed. I've learned to hold back at the start, especially where the crowd and the atmosphere speed you up…"

"This year I knew the pace I could hold without problems to finish… it didn't feel endless. My head was counting down, not up: it wasn't km 15, but 'only 6 left and then the final straight'."

Confidence in the training

"This year I was much more confident in my training, it was logically structured… trusting yourself, the work you've put in… Because that's how I felt kilometer by kilometer, I felt good with my pace, it's the first half where I didn't stop. At km 18 there were only 3 km left and it was done."

This story shows exactly what you want to convey: it's not just about Málaga, but about arriving in Málaga with a plan and believing in it.

The finish: medal, smile, and belonging to a group

The description of the arrival is perfect for any runner:

"The feeling of crossing the finish line is incredible, you tell yourself: you did it, you made it through, challenge completed and yes, when you enjoy it a smile just appears, you feel amazing… It's a feeling of total euphoria where you put on your medal with so much pride for having made it."

And then comes the social moment:

"When you have your medal you look for the people you know to share that feeling… We all looked for each other, we worried about how everyone had finished, who did better, who had a tough time… We shared that pride of finishing and enjoyed that moment together."

Organization from the inside: what shines and what could improve

The very positive

"Perfect organization from registration management, expo and events well organized."

• Clear registration, good prior communication.
• Expo at the Cruise Terminal: spacious, well set up, long hours Friday and Saturday.
• Music and animation at points along the course, active volunteers.
• Free bus, bag drop, showers, and a beautiful medal.

Water and waste: room for improvement

"Water bottle perfect (it's better than a cup of water) but there's a lack of places to throw away trash (water and gel) away from the aid station."

This is important:

• Positive: Bottle = better for drinking properly without choking.
• To improve: More bins and signage are needed just after aid stations, when you want to get rid of your bottle and wrappers.

Direct tips for you (marathon and half)

Based on everything above, plus the technical analysis:

If you're running the marathon (42K)

• First 5 km: cool head; don't get swept up by the start or the pacers from minute 1.
• On the coastal stretch (km 5–22 and 28.5–finish):
  • Adjust your pace to the wind.
  • Use groups at your level for protection, but don't stick to massive packs.
• La Rosaleda (km 22–28.5):
  • Think "save" instead of "attack." What you save here will pay back in the last 10K.
• Last 12 km:
  • Start with an energy reserve.
  • Accept the hill around km 41 as part of the game, not personal betrayal.

If you're running the half (21K)

• Respect the distance like she does: don't trust "it's just a half."
• Arrive at km 15 thinking "this is where it gets good," not "I'm already dead."
• Use the surroundings (sea, crowd, group) to change your mental narrative from "how much left" to "what I've already done."

Now it's your turn: write your own Málaga story

If you're going to run the Generali Maratón Málaga , 42K or 21K , we'd love to read your story.

Tell us what you were looking for, what mistakes you repeated (or avoided), where your wall was, and what that smile was like when you crossed the finish with the medal around your neck.