2026 San Sebastián Marathon - Nov 22 Countdown

Q: How do I register for the 2026 San Sebastián Marathon?

Registration is first-come, first-served through the official site (zurichmaratonsansebastian.com), not a lottery. Pricing is tiered by bib number, starting around EUR59 for the earliest bibs and rising to EUR95 for bibs 5,501-7,000 (prices include 21% VAT). Non-federated runners also pay a mandatory EUR5 one-day RFEA licence. The 7,000-bib marathon quota sold out for 2026, so a waiting list applies if the main entry is closed.

Q: What does the course look like?

It is a multi-loop city circuit made of three laps (one short loop plus two longer asymmetric loops) starting on Calle Hernani by the town hall and finishing on the Boulevard. The route borders La Concha bay and its promenade, passes the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, the Victoria Eugenia Theatre and the modern Kursaal, and ends with a flat 1 km finishing straight. The loop format means strong, predictable crowd support.

Q: Is the San Sebastián Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The course is RFEA-certified through a World Athletics-authorized measurement commissioner, and World Athletics certification is the standard the Boston Athletic Association accepts for qualifying times. Some third-party race portals list it as not a Boston qualifier, but that conflicts with its certified status and is treated here as a portal data error. You still need a qualifying time and to register with Boston separately to use it.

Q: What is the time limit?

The official time limit is 5 hours to complete the 42.195 km. After the cutoff, course closures begin and any remaining runners continue at their own responsibility under normal traffic rules and are scored as having finished outside the limit. With a 9:00 a.m. start, you must reach the finish by roughly 2:00 p.m.

Q: When and what time does the race start?

The 2026 edition is on Sunday, November 22, 2026, with the marathon starting at 9:00 a.m. local time from Calle Hernani in the city center. A separate 10K and kids' races are held the same weekend; the November Zurich event offers only the marathon, 10K and children's races (there is no half marathon).

Q: How do I get to San Sebastián and where do I fly in?

The closest airport is San Sebastián Airport (EAS), about 20 km away in Hondarribia, with domestic links to Madrid and Barcelona. For wider international and European flights, use Bilbao Airport (BIO), roughly 100 km west, with a direct bus to San Sebastián in about 1h15m. Biarritz (France) is another nearby option. The compact city center means most accommodation is within walking distance of the start and finish.

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Race Information

Race	2026 San Sebastián Marathon - Nov 22
City	San Sebastián (Donostia)
Date	2026-11-22 at 09:00
Field Size	~7,000 runners
Time Limit	5 hours
Cutoff pace	7:07/km
Timezone	Europe/Madrid
Official Site	Zurich Maratón Donostia-San Sebastián

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	11.8°C / 53°F
Humidity	81%
Wind	23.4 km/h
Rain Chance	50%
Typical Conditions	Cool, humid Atlantic coast at around 11°C (52°F); November is Donostia's wettest month with roughly 50% rain odds and an onshore breeze near 13 km/h.

What to Prepare: Pack a light rain shell and a cap for the bay headwinds. The mild 11°C air is near-ideal racing temperature, but a damp start line means a throwaway top is worth it.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 23.4 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

	Cooler	Typical	Warmer
Temperature	8.4°C	12°C	15°C
Dew point	4.7°C	8.6°C	11.9°C

Wet-day chance: 50% Runnability: 71/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course Type	Multi-loop city circuit (3 loops: one short plus two longer asymmetric laps)
Elevation Gain	13m
Terrain	Fully paved urban roads and seafront promenade, hugging La Concha bay and the city center; smooth tarmac throughout with a flat 1 km finishing straight on the Boulevard.
Profile	Essentially pancake-flat at sea level with only about 13 m (43 ft) of total elevation gain across 42.195 km, one of the lowest profiles of any European marathon.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 San Sebastián Marathon - Nov 22

Use our free training tools to get race-ready:

Running Pace Calculator — Min/km, Finish Time & Pace Chart

Free running pace calculator for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. Get min/km or min/mile, your ...

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Free Pace Band Generator — Printable Race Day Wristband

Free printable pace band for marathon, half marathon, or custom distance. Choose even, negative, or ...

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Marathon Wake-Up Time Calculator — Race Morning Timeline

7 AM race, wake at 3:45 AM? Enter the gun time; we work backward through meal, gear, bathroom, warm-...

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Dew Point Running Calculator — Pace Adjustment Chart

Enter temperature and humidity to calculate dew point and its impact on your running pace. 7-zone ch...

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Marathon Predictor — 5K, 10K & Half Marathon Race Predictor

Free marathon predictor — convert your 5K, 10K, or half marathon time into race-day estimates from R...

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Race Finish Time Calculator & Predictor — Free

Predict your race finish time from pace, or set a goal time to find required pace. Free instant calc...

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for the 2026 San Sebastián Marathon?

Registration is first-come, first-served through the official site (zurichmaratonsansebastian.com), not a lottery. Pricing is tiered by bib number, starting around EUR59 for the earliest bibs and rising to EUR95 for bibs 5,501-7,000 (prices include 21% VAT). Non-federated runners also pay a mandatory EUR5 one-day RFEA licence. The 7,000-bib marathon quota sold out for 2026, so a waiting list applies if the main entry is closed.

Is the San Sebastián Marathon flat and fast?

Yes, it is one of the flattest marathons in Europe. The course runs entirely at sea level with only about 13 m of total elevation gain over the full 42.195 km, with no climbs of note. In 2023 a remarkable 79% of finishers came in under 4 hours, the best sub-4 rate of any Spanish marathon, which makes this a strong choice for a personal best.

What does the course look like?

It is a multi-loop city circuit made of three laps (one short loop plus two longer asymmetric loops) starting on Calle Hernani by the town hall and finishing on the Boulevard. The route borders La Concha bay and its promenade, passes the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, the Victoria Eugenia Theatre and the modern Kursaal, and ends with a flat 1 km finishing straight. The loop format means strong, predictable crowd support.

Is the San Sebastián Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The course is RFEA-certified through a World Athletics-authorized measurement commissioner, and World Athletics certification is the standard the Boston Athletic Association accepts for qualifying times. Some third-party race portals list it as not a Boston qualifier, but that conflicts with its certified status and is treated here as a portal data error. You still need a qualifying time and to register with Boston separately to use it.

What is the time limit?

The official time limit is 5 hours to complete the 42.195 km. After the cutoff, course closures begin and any remaining runners continue at their own responsibility under normal traffic rules and are scored as having finished outside the limit. With a 9:00 a.m. start, you must reach the finish by roughly 2:00 p.m.

When and what time does the race start?

The 2026 edition is on Sunday, November 22, 2026, with the marathon starting at 9:00 a.m. local time from Calle Hernani in the city center. A separate 10K and kids' races are held the same weekend; the November Zurich event offers only the marathon, 10K and children's races (there is no half marathon).

What should I wear for race day?

Plan for cool, damp Atlantic-coast weather: air temperature is around 11°C (52°F) with high humidity and roughly a 50% chance of rain, since November is Donostia's wettest month. A singlet or short-sleeve top with arm sleeves works well; bring a light rain shell, a cap and a throwaway layer for the start, and expect a breeze near 13 km/h along the exposed seafront sections.

How do I get to San Sebastián and where do I fly in?

The closest airport is San Sebastián Airport (EAS), about 20 km away in Hondarribia, with domestic links to Madrid and Barcelona. For wider international and European flights, use Bilbao Airport (BIO), roughly 100 km west, with a direct bus to San Sebastián in about 1h15m. Biarritz (France) is another nearby option. The compact city center means most accommodation is within walking distance of the start and finish.