Runners, beginners, and lovers of asphalt racing challenges, welcome to a new stage in my blog!
Although this space is primarily designed to share practical tips and motivation for getting started in the world of running and marathons, helping those taking their first steps in these disciplines, overcoming obstacles, and achieving their goals, I have decided to share experiences from the most important races of the year at least a couple of times a year, recounting my own experiences or those of someone I know, as will be the case here.
And I wanted to kick off this section with a story about the Seville Marathon 2025, known as the Zurich Seville Marathon, a race that holds a special place for both me and many of my friends with whom I share these adventures.
In fact, running marathons like the one in Seville, with its ideal weather conditions and physical challenges, is akin to navigating commercial geopolitics: both require a long-term vision, consistency, and unwavering determination to overcome moments of hardship, whether it’s the sun and heat on the streets or tariffs on the global stage.
Aimed at you, runners and entrepreneurs who want to dip your toes into this world, let me tell you why the Seville Marathon is an epic experience! Lace up your road running shoes and hit the streets of Seville with me!
What is the Seville Marathon?
The Zurich Seville Marathon is one of the most iconic and longstanding marathons in Spain. Held since 1985 in the heart of the Andalusian capital, it has become a true benchmark for urban running in Spain and a must-attend event for enthusiasts of long-distance road racing.
And by the way, this year it celebrated its 40th anniversary.
The traditional marathon route passes through the most iconic and spectacular corners of Seville:
- The start from Paseo de las Delicias.
- Paseo de Cristóbal Colón along the Guadalquivir River
- Avenida Torneo and the Barqueta Bridge.
- Neighborhoods like Triana and Los Remedios.
- Passing by the Torre del Oro, the Cathedral, and the Giralda.
- María Luisa Park and Plaza de España.
- Areas like Nervión and the Olympic Stadium.
- And the finish back at Paseo de las Delicias, with an ultra-flat and fast circuit.
A total of 42.195 km with a minimal elevation gain of just 5 meters, combining wide avenues, historic streets, and monuments that make you feel like you’re walking through an Andalusian postcard
But the Seville Marathon is not just a fast race. It’s an event with soul, where camaraderie, respect for running, and a festive spirit are felt in every stride. And you’re never alone: thousands of spectators and volunteers make it possible every year, cheering with claps, music, and good vibes.
In addition, the marathon is part of the official race circuit that awards:
- The World Athletics Label Road Race status, which makes it one of the fastest in Europe.
- Points for international rankings and a magnet for personal bests
The full event includes several activities:
- The main marathon (42K, the flagship race—and the one this chronicle is about).
- 5K Breakfast Run (a fun warm-up the day before).
- Kids’ races in María Luisa Park.
If you want to know more about this degree and its origins, I am sharing a link to the official website where there is plenty of historical information
Seville Marathon 2025: A Festival Under the Andalusian Sun.
The Zurich Seville Marathon 2025, which was run on February 23 through the streets of Seville, was a record-breaking edition on its 40th anniversary. With 14,000 runners (a new historical high, surpassing the 12,000 of 2024 and the 10,500 of 2022), the race saw a huge increase in participation, with 51.6% foreigners from over 100 countries and 20% women, the highest female percentage ever. Two moments defined this edition: ideal weather and elite results that literally flew over Seville.
A Perfect Climate That Made Them Fly
In the days leading up to the event, it was clear that the weather would be an ally: mild temperatures (around 15-20°C), little wind, and Andalusian sun without scorching heat. In the pre-race technical briefing, the organizers reminded the usual advice: stay well hydrated because from 11:30 a.m. the sun would start to get intense. And indeed, it did
Results That Made History
In the sports realm, the pros set the bar very high. In the men's category, Ethiopian Selemon Barega (Olympic 10,000m champion in Tokyo) made his marathon debut with an astounding 2:05:15 that left everyone amazed. He was followed by his compatriot Adisu Tesfahun Tafere (2:06:27) and Moroccan Mohamed Reda El Aaraby (2:06:45). What a level! No less than 17 guys finished under 2:08, 28 under 2:10, and 45 under 2:15. Among the Spanish runners, Ilias Fifa stood out with a 2:10:10 (29th place)
In the women's category, Ethiopian Anchinalu Dessie also had a spectacular debut, winning with a time of 2:22:17, just shy of the amazing time set in 2024. French runner Manon Trapp broke the French record with 2:23:38, and Kenyan Cynthia Chepchirchir finished third with 2:23:43. Spanish athlete Kaoutar Boulaid (2:24:05) barely missed the qualifying time for the Tokyo World Championships, followed by Meritxell Soler (2:26:05). Watch out, 10 women finished under 2:28! This shows the very high level of professional athletes who came to Seville.
In fact, these outstanding results had a huge impact in the media, with broadcasts on more than 300 TV channels reaching 350 million people. Media outlets like El País, Marca, and Antena 3 covered the entire race, including a YouTube streaming that attracted thousands of viewers. The Seville Marathon has truly become a major event both nationally and internationally.
The Seville Marathon 2025 From the Inside: Román's Experience
And now, to dive right into the heart of it, I bring you the testimony of a runner who experienced it firsthand. This is a chronicle written by Román, a friend of our 'Casa de Campo' group and, above all, a companion in countless battles in both marathons and mountain ultras. Román is one of those who keeps coming back to Seville because he knows it's a marathon that's really great for getting hooked on the distance. Here is his fresh and unfiltered chronicle:
"A great weekend of sport and friends. Seville is the only marathon I've repeated several times. It had been two years since I last ran one, and knowing it was a race I was already familiar with gave me more confidence that I could finish. It’s a distance that, for me, requires dedication and effort that only pays off if I’m almost sure that the race, the lead-up, and the aftermath are going to be spectacular. Seville never disappoints.
From a sporting perspective, it’s not just the race profile or the pleasant weather; every year, people become more enthusiastic in cheering. This year, quite a few people cheered me on by name, written on my bib, and that gave me a lot of encouragement during the race. As always in long races, there are several races within the race. In my case, I fell behind my group of friends at 8 km because I had to go to the bathroom, but then I caught up with one of them because he got a cramp in his calf.
The first 12 km felt tougher than the next 20. I stayed with him for several kilometers, and we finally finished together, which gives a lot of encouragement. I noticed there were many aid stations with very willing volunteers, which is important in this race because from 11:30 the sun starts to get intense and hydration is key. I’m sure many well-prepared runners struggled in the last kilometers if they only took the half-cup they were given without asking for more water at each aid station."The first 12 kilometers felt harder to me than the next 20. I stayed with him for several kilometers and we finally finished together, which is very encouraging. It seemed to me there were many aid stations with very willing people, which is important in this race because from 11:30 the sun starts to get intense and hydration is key. I’m sure many well-prepared runners struggled in the last kilometers if they only took the half cup they were given without asking for more water at each aid station.
Finally, 4:05 is within the range I initially expected to finish, and my feelings were very good in the last kilometers. Great race and great experience for the runners of Seville!
Off the sporting track, Seville is one of the best cities to enjoy with family and friends. Having tapas at Plaza del Salvador on Saturday already makes the trip worthwhile. From Madrid, the AVE high-speed train takes just a short time. The hotel gave us a room to shower after the race, and from there we went to eat before taking the AVE back
Next, I also share some photos that Román himself sent us with the group of friends from 'Casa de Campo' who ran together: Román, Javi, Mario, Jorge, and Rodri.
By the way, in case anyone is wondering; Román ran this marathon with a wonderful pair of Hoka Clifton 9 shoes, which we recommend from TRADE & TRAIL
As he mentioned in his article, he hadn’t run a long race in two years; so, given this situation and the distance, we recommended he take on this adventure with the Hoka Clifton 9, mainly for their comfort and cushioning. Needless to say, once he tried them, he was definitely hooked on everything related to HOKA.
If you want to see more information about this shoe, we refer you to our published article on the 'Running Shoe Guide'.
https://tradeandtrail.net/es/como-elegir-las-zapatillas-correctas-para-comenzar-a-correr/
Why Seville? Because It’s an Amazing Plan
As Román mentioned in his article, Seville is not just a marathon; it’s an amazing plan that makes you want to come back year after year.
Imagine this: you arrive on Friday by AVE, pick up your race bib, and wander through the historic quarter, enjoying tapas at Plaza del Salvador with your friends while the sun gently warms you and the atmosphere already smells like race day. On Saturday, you relax strolling through the María Luisa Park or visiting the Cathedral. If you are with family, there are plenty of plans: from climbing the Giralda to taking a boat ride on the Guadalquivir River. And if you are an entrepreneur, Seville is a goldmine: you can sell at the Expo, set up a booth with products for runners, or even run with your clients to build camaraderie and promote your brand.
And then,
Race day is amazing. The course takes you through such beautiful places that you almost forget you’re running 42 km. The organization is top-notch: wonderful volunteers, aid stations every few kilometers, and a medal at the finish that you'll want to hang in your living room.
Seville is a hard challenge, but with friends and this city, everything is worth it.
And when you cross the finish line, the adrenaline rush is incredible: you shower (many hotels hold a room for you post-race), go out to eat with your friends, toast with a cold beer, and head back on the AVE train sharing stories.
For novice runners, Seville is the perfect marathon to debut in: flat, lively, and with an atmosphere that pushes you. And for entrepreneurial businesspeople, it’s a golden opportunity to combine sport with business.
Preparing for the Marathon (Without Dying Trying)
Taking advantage of this article and before finishing, we leave you with a few tips to prepare for a marathon like this one.
So, if you’re new to running or an entrepreneur wanting to get into this scene, here are some tips to help you arrive in Seville like a pro:
- Plan smart: A marathon is cooked slowly. If you're new, aim for 16-20 weeks of training; if you already have some base, 12-14 weeks will suffice. Find a plan that combines long runs (to get used to being out for 3-4 hours), intervals (to build speed), and rest days (yes, resting is part of the plan)
- Equip yourself properly: Good running shoes are sacred (at the Marathon Expo, you get excellent advice). Add comfortable tights, blister-proof socks, a cap, and hydration suited to the weather. As we always say at TRADE & TRAIL: "Bad shoes are a ticket to hell."
- Nutrition and hydration: Learn to eat and hydrate during the race. Gels and isotonic drinks are your friends starting from kilometer 20. Test them in training because your stomach might give you a surprise.
- The mind is key: A marathon is 50% legs and 50% brain. Running with friends saves you during tough moments. And if you face it alone, keep in mind that mental training is a very important part of the whole process.
- Enjoy the journey: If it’s your first marathon, don’t stress about the time. The goal is to finish, enjoy the atmosphere, and celebrate with a beer in hand. And if it’s not your first, the advice is the same. As we always say at TRADE & TRAIL: “Enjoy suffering.
Links y Videos del Maratón de Sevilla 2025
And to top it off, here are a couple of cool links. The first is the official streaming on YouTube where you can relive the elite race and the amazing atmosphere. The second is the live race broadcasted on television.
Maratón Sevilla 2025 – YouTube Streaming
Maratón Sevilla 2025 – Directo TVE
And remember .... YOU'LL NEVER RUN ALONE!!
If you are interested in training plans for this type of races or others, you just have to visit our “Contact” page and write to us: https://tradeandtrail.net/en/contacto/