The Barcelona Marathon modifies its route and opts for a faster circuit through the center

2023-09-21 15:15:29

BarcelonaThe Zurich Barcelona Marathon next March changes its route. The works on Plaça Espanya required it to be done, but it was also an opportunity to “have a new layout that allows for a better brand”, according to David Escudé, Councilor for Sports at the City Council. If the test was already consolidated in terms of participation, now the works are being used to make a route that will not climb more than 50 meters above sea level, with large straights to try to attract more runners who are looking to improve the mark.

The race on March 10 will have a new, more urban and faster route, away from the ramps of Montjuïc. It will have “only 33 curves” and renews “60% of the route”, starting at Paseo de Gràcia and ending at the Arc del Triomf. It passes through 15 emblematic places in the city, from Casa Batlló to the Sagrada Família, from the Monumental to Plaça Catalunya, from Columbus to Parc del Fòrum. The route, designed by a team of experts, will allow “not to lose the essence of the city, to obtain better brands and make it easier for all Barcelona residents to cheer”, according to the race director Mauro Llorens.

After leaving Paseo de Gràcia, the circuit will take Carrer València towards the west, return along Carrer Aragó to Meridiana, turn again to go up Carrer Mallorca passing the Sagrada Família and go down Calabria to the Grand Via Then it will return to Passeig de Gràcia, go down to Plaça Catalunya and retrace the entire outer perimeter of Ciutat Vella through streets such as Sepúlveda, Urgell, El Paral·lel, Passeig de Colom and up to Parc de la Ciutadella. The last section will follow Avinguda Litoral to the Fòrum and take a section of Diagonal there and back before climbing towards Arc de Triomf via Llull. The circuit will have little unevenness and will avoid problem areas like doing the entire Meridiana. Now the longest straight will be 4.9 km, and the Parallel will only be downhill.

“The priority remains the popular runner”

The organizers have planned different actions, such as places where they can cheer, taking advantage of the fact that the route will allow spectators to see their friends and family several times. In addition, an initiative is created under the slogan Make it yours (make it yours), which, through an app, will allow you to accumulate 32 km anywhere in the world in the seven days before the race, so that you only need to sign up to do the last 10 km. “Although we are looking for runners who can achieve a good mark – says Escudé -, our look always prioritizes the popular runner, the people. Our model in this sense is the New York Marathon. It is clear that we are looking for elite athletes , but we prioritize people.”