The Zurich Maraton de Seville has sold out with more than three weeks until the 32nd edition of the race which boasts a five-star rating from European Athletics takes place on 21 February.
Organisers are expecting 13,000 runners from across the globe to toe the start-line in La Cartuja where they will embark on a 26.2-mile challenge around the streets of Spain’s fourth largest city.
Aside from the city itself, one key factor contributing to the race’s burgeoning reputation as a must-visit stop on the continental road-racing circuit is the fact the course has been rated the flattest in Europe ahead of renowned marathon destinations such as Berlin, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
The elevation of the new-and-improved course rises no more than ten metres above sea-level from start-to-finish, and more than 700 runners last year made the most of this to break the three-hour mark for the distance.
The speed of the course was one of the main considerations for staging the Spanish Championships in Seville this year. Fans will be able to watch the leading Spanish runners - as well as a distinguished elite field - chase qualifying times for the Olympic Games, before cheering on friends and colleagues in the mass ranks.
The race also starts and finishes inside an arena steeped in sporting history: the multi-purpose La Cartuja hosted the 1999 World Athletics Championships, two Davis Cup finals and the 2003 UEFA Cup Final among other events.
There will be online video streaming of the marathon, plus live results and tracking on www.zurichmaratonsevilla.es.
The European Athletics Quality Road Race standards act as an assurance for road runners throughout Europe. They distinguish between races that respect the standards and those that haven’t sought certification or assessment. They form the foundation of Running for All, a strong recognisable brand for running activities throughout Europe.
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