Week of changes in the Valencia Marathon. After the celebration of the race this past Sunday, with more than 35,000 runners through the streets of the city, the race is preparing for its first edition, in which access will be by lottery.
The organizers of the Trinidad Alfonso Zurich Valencia Marathon have announced a radical change in the registration system for the 2026 edition. From now on, the race will abandon the direct sales system to implement a draw or ballot model, with the aim of managing the high demand and avoiding the technical collapse of the sales platforms experienced in previous years.
The new protocol will eliminate the “dissatisfaction or frustration” generated by the system of “the fastest one gets it”.
Valencia Marathon 2026 registration deadlines
The registration process for the 2026 Marathon, which will have a maximum quota of 35,000 bibs, will be divided into two stages:
- Loyalty Phase (December 11 to 15): a four-day preferential period will be opened exclusively for people registered for the 2025 edition (whether they completed the race or not). These runners will be able to secure their place without going through the draw.
- Registration for the Draw (from December 16): Once the preferential phase has been completed, registration will be open to the general public. Those interested will have 10 days to pre-register for the draw for the remaining places.
After registration closes, the organization will carry out the drawing of lots before a notary public. The winners will have a period of 12 days to formalize registration and payment.
If they do not complete the process within this period, they will lose their right to a race bib and the place will go to the runners on the waiting list.
The organization will communicate by email to all participants if they have been awarded a place in order to register for 2026.
With this decision, Valencia will be aligned with major international Majors such as London, Tokyo or New York, which use lottery systems to manage a demand that far exceeds supply.