Experience one of the greatest feats of mankind while running the most challenging marathon of your life. The Great Wall Marathon will put your physical ability to the test with its steep ascent of 5,164 steps. The World Heritage listed fortification is the largest human-made structure in the world and symbolises sheer human strength and fortitude. Tap into the special Great Wall spirit and join us for this spectacular run which will take you on a journey through ancient Chinese history and stunning scenery. Take on the Great Wall!
Combine the thrilling marathon experience with a classic African safari vacation and sign up for the Big Five Marathon. Running in the Entabeni Private Game Reserve of South Africa, you will encounter zebras, giraffes and antelopes. The spectacular course will even take you through lion territory and you may chance upon a rhino although we advise you to keep on running if you do!
Discover Jordan’s lost city and be challenged by the boundless desert surrounding it. This desert run starts in the ancient city of Petra amid rose-tinted sandstone monuments created thousands of years ago. The course continues into the barren desert landscape before looping back to the city. Experience Jordan’s finest treasure combined with a challenging desert race. Run back in time with us!
Ice as far as the eye beholds. Impossibly beautiful, blue skies. Incredibly fresh air. Musk oxen and arctic foxes on the unique and stark landscape of the arctic tundra. Yes, we are in one of the most remote corners of the world: Greenland. Feel the soft crunch of snow beneath your shoes while running through the arctic desert and Greenland Ice Sheet and immerse yourself in this rare and exceptional natural beauty. This will undoubtedly be the coolest experience of your life.
Tucked away in central Myanmar and home to more than 2,000 temples, Bagan’s beauty and historical significance is unsurpassed. Sacred pagodas and beautiful temples are scattered across the plains of Bagan creating a mystical, striking landscape. The marathon course will take runners on a voyage of discovery into this alluring and untouched land.
World's Fastest Marathon
It's fast.
Unbelievably fast.
Perhaps, the World's Fastest?
Humans are instinctively hardwired to innovate, optimize, question the impossible – to push the limit.
At Albatros Adventure Marathons, our passion for pushing the limit, sharing great experiences and achieving something extraordinary led us to originate the “adventure marathon” concept 20 years ago.
In the all-new World’s Fastest Marathon, runners will dash down a paved route that makes a sweeping, serpentine-like descent through the Sierra Nevada Mountains into the historic city of Granada.
With a 100% downhill route (less than 1km is without decline), an altitude drop of 1,938 meters (6,358 feet) and a total average descent of 4.6%, this race will keep your legs light and feet flying toward the finish line… FAST.
How much will you shave off your PR? How far will you push the limit? And who knows, maybe someone will push it below the 2-hour barrier?
The Event
Beat your best and visit an incredibly captivating destination, Granada. This is the perfect opportunity to combine a running adventure with an unforgettable travel. Runners and spectators alike, there's something for everyone!
Race Info
Everything you need to know about the race should be right here. If there is something specific you are looking for that you can’t find, contact us.
Register for the event
Choose one of the following options, and join us for a one-of-a-kind running event in an exceptional destination - the Andalucia region of southern Spain.
International Runners: 5-day Tour
Join passionate runners from around the world for a legendary week in Andalucia's historic town of Granada and the Sierra Nevada.
Mikkeller Running Club - 5-day package
Join MRC at the first edition of the World's Fastest Marathon, and have the time of your life with Mikkeller runners from around the world!
Mikkeller is not only a co-organizer of the World's Fastest Marathon, but they are also the Official Beer Partner of Albatros Adventure Marathons.
Local Runners: Race-Only Entry
Spanish passport holders, as well as permanent residents of Spain and Gibraltar, are eligible for "race only" entry.
Los corredores locales: Entrada a la maratón
Tanto los ciudadanos españoles como los residentes permanentes en España y Gibraltar pueden inscribirse en la maratón de forma exclusiva.
Excursions
Travel further afar. These optional excursions offer the chance to experience the history, culture and varied landscapes - both mountainous and coastal - surrounding Granada.
Frigiliana & Nerja
Visit two charming Spanish villages on this half-day excursion (6-7 hours) to the rural “White City” of Frigiliana and seaside Nerja on the Costa del Sol, “Coast of the Sun”. Both stops will include a brief, guided introduction provided by your tour leader, followed by time to explore on your own.
The Alhambra
The UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site known as The Alhambra is the most sought-after attraction in Granada and it definitely tops the “must-see list” in the Andalucia region and Spain. Tickets are often difficult to secure, but with this excursion, your entry to this world-class monument is guaranteed.
Route Inspection
Inspect the route with a drive up and down the mountain to the start area situated at 2,605 meters (8,546 feet) above sea level.
Experiences
Experience the taste of southern Spain with delicious tapas and locally produced wines.
Wines of Málaga - unique, sweet and perfect!
Málaga is famous for sun, sea and sand, but not many know that it is also one of the oldest wine regions in Spain.
Tapas - Classic Spanish fare you must not miss!
Mmmm... Here's our guide to the 13 mouthwatering tapas dishes you must try when dining in the south of Spain.
The Area
A journey through the sunny south of Spain along the Mediterranean coastline is much more than the beaches of Costa del Sol. It’s also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and the artful dance of flamenco. It is tapas and wine bars. It is rows of olive trees, avocado trees and vineyards. It is home to the Alhambra, the famous Moorish fortress and palace of the Nasrid Dynasty’s reign in the Iberian Peninsula (1238-1492). It is the spectacular, dramatic and mountainous terrain of Sierra Nevada.. And now, it is the site of the World’s Fastest Marathon.
Partners
Albatros Adventure Marathons proudly presents our partners for the World's Fastest Marathon:
Mikkeller
Official Beer Partner and founder of the world's largest running club, MRC
Newline
Official Merchandise Supplier