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Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona Runner Comments

Back to Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.5 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.4 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.9 
 
 
Number of comments: 86 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 > ]

 

Ü. B. from Turkey (6/17/2022)
"Superb marathon!" (about: 2022)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Not only being one of the most spectacular cities in the South Europe, but also one should experience Barcelona marathon which is more than a running event (like a carnival). There was not even one meter gap along the route without audience and crowd was full of energy. Even though I pushed full of effort during the race, I could not resist music beats. Expo was satisfying with various brands and staff was very friendly. It was possible to communicate with English and French. Course was nearly flat. If you adjust yourself with some long and mild climbs, it will be much more easier to hit your PB.

 

W. S. from Voorschoten, the Netherlands (4/28/2019)
"Very nice course, great people!" (about: 2018)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


With temperatures around 14 degrees and clouds for about 2 hours after the start I felt lucky running through Barcelona! Supposedly flat, but at some points rather tough (near Camp Nou, just around the Sagrada Familia at the 19/20K point). Many spectators and lots of cheers, the people of Barcelona make you feel good while running. I had a difficult last 10K due to an injury, but I made it to the finish line.

 

Alexey Tulupov from Moscow (3/30/2019)
"Enjoyed every step" (about: 2019)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Everything was just perfect. Course is quite flat. What disturbed me was a hill in the beginning from km 3 to 5 and another steep hill in the last 3 km. The weather was warmer I would prefer rising to 19-20 C and to sunny. But most of the route was shady. A very cheerful huge crowd of supporters all along the course. Water every 2,5 km in bottles! Unfortunately bottles without caps...

I want to come back and run it once again.

 

N. B. from Fort Worth Texas USA (3/18/2019)
"I celebrated my 100th marathon in Barcelona" (about: 2019)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my 100th marathon celebration and I was lucky to run it couldn't ask for an awesome place to run it. Perfect weather and the course was scenic. I enjoyed every steps into the finish line. Love it. I will go back.

 

E. S. from Clare, Ireland (3/16/2019)
"Brilliant introduction to marathoning" (about: 2019)

1 previous marathon | 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


A fabulous marathon! Crowd support was brilliant, many will cheer you on by name. Loads of volunteers. Water stations start at 5km and are every 2.5km with bottles of water and cups of sports drink (and loos). Some later ones have fresh fruit, dried fruit and nuts and gels.

Warmer than usual getting towards 20°c but lots of the course was in the shade and there was a cool breeze. Slight uphill in first 5km then another 15-18km..then the killer last 1.5km!!! Not really steep but definitely noticeable in an otherwise smoothish course.

Almost always something amazing to see except for 3km out plus back around 15-21km.

Start well managed, each wave getting a send off. Last group started around 17mins after elites.

Expo huge. Bibs and bags at start, shirts at end.

I would highly recommend this run and would definitely do it again.

 

N. L. from Michigan, USA (4/3/2018)
"This race is so good I had to run it twice!" (about: 2018)

6-10 previous marathons | 2 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelonas
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I first ran the Barcelona Marathon in 2012 and had an absolutely incredible experience that was hard to describe to my friends in the US. After a couple of years I wondered if I made all of that up in my head so I went back in 2018 and ran it again and again, I was blown away. The city of Barcelona is absolutely fantastic and the race route takes you on an excellent tour of the city. The course itself is not flat but has many long gradual grades both up and down. The race organizers do a world-class job organizing the race and giving participants a premium experience. However, the highlight to me on both experiences were the spectators. The wonderfully friendly people of Catalunya showed up for a party, not to spectate. The course was lined with drum lines, rock bands and people out to enjoy the day spectating...not simply looking for a runner, yelling and leaving (like I often experience in the US). In short, if you are traveling from afar, neither the race nor the city of Barcelona will let you down. I had to email the race director before the race regarding an update to my passport number and he/she replied that 'the city will welcome you with open arms'...this race lived up to every expectation I put on it.

 

n. f. from Atlanta, USA (9/22/2017)
"Pretty awesome" (about: 2017)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my 5th Marathon. I've ran 3 in US and Paris previously. I've been to Barcelona before and was really excited to run this marathon although I was well aware that I might not make the 6 hour cut off. For the back of the packers like me, they do keep finish line open until about 6 hours, 30 minutes after race start. The course is amazing and mostly flat. The first half is harder than the second. Loved running past Sagrada Familia. Lots of people spectators cheering you on. Loved having my name on the bib and hearing it yelled out by the crowd. It's a non-stop party atmosphere. Loved hearing all the bands on the course. There are 2 stretches of the course where it's out and back. As I was running these parts, I could see the bus on the opposite side which was driving behind the last runners and picking up those who fell behind. That was a bit unnerving. I didn't want to be on that bus. I am so thankful that I finished within the cutoff. All in all great course, awesome spectators, lots water, powerade, raisins and nuts at the aid stations, mostly flat, party atmosphere. I would love to do it again, just not sure if I could make the cutoff time again. Here is hoping to be back in a few years.

 

D. R. from Istria, Croatia (4/3/2017)
"Stunning race!" (about: 2017)

3 previous marathons | 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


My impressions from Barcelona marathon... I knew it would be good. But I could not imagine so much good. This energy, this passion, this love and support from the crowd.. it is impossible to describe in words.

18,000 runners at the start of the race listening to the beautiful song from Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé.. 'Barcelona'

In Barcelona runners are cheered by names by the supporters.

Volunteers at the track are not ordinary volunteers.. they are the first fans of every runner...

Also after the race you feel all the love from them, because they really care for each runner.

Running a marathon is a real struggle, it's hard, exhausting but it's worth it.

You see runners with tears of happiness.. I was among them, because the best thing of every marathon is when you see at the finish line your love and you get a hug that makes disappear all the pain... d

The applause from the entire underground that saw me in the racing outfit made my day =L=L

If anyone still wonders why I run a marathon; The answer could be that:
Imagine that you're doing something you love and that a whole city gives you support for this ...

I can not wait for the next challenge ...

 

C. P. from New York (3/18/2017)
"excellent Spain Marathon" (about: 2017)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Pretty big Expo with good merchandise. T-shirt included in entry, and entry fee is very low for such a quality Marathon.

Excellent course - only minor ups and downs - a course to PR. Wide streets from the beginning to the end. You will see most of the major tourist attractions in Barcelona - study up so that you don't run right past them - they are amazing.

Organization is incredible. Every 2.5k, you will receive a BOTTLE of water, and electrolyte drink (bottled if you prefer, or in a small cup). I've never experienced that. You will NOT be dehydrated.

Barcelona has an excellent Metro (subway). Buy the 10 trip for 9.60 Euro. If you are coming from the airport, there is a bus that will take you to the city center for 5.90 Euro, and it leaves every 5 minutes!! You can buy your ticket on the bus.

Weather. Expect 65F for a high on race day, and starting out in the mid-50's.

 

K. N. from Chicago, USA (3/15/2017)
"Spectacular City Run" (about: 2017)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Marathon Catalunya - Barcelona
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


The Barceleona Marathon: scenic course through the streets of the city, slow inclines and declines with no real hills, joyous spectators, rock bands, LOTS of drummers, well-stocked aid stations with liquids and fruits, enthusiastic volunteers, and fantastic weather. The expo is large with t-shirt pickup at the end (I needed help navigating). The location is wonderful at the foot of Montjuic (the Jewish Mountain), near the art museum. Runners from all over the world: Morocco, Israel, France, Ireland, South Africa, Holland, and more. Must stay at the Catalonia Barcelona Plaza Hotel near the start; spotty service but great breakfast buffet (extra early on race day) and a pretty building. Brush up on Catalan and Spanish phrases. Walk the boulevards and side streets. City is clean but lots of graffiti. Go to the beach near Port Olympic. Enjoy the vibe. This was a great experience all around.

 

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