MORE than 1,500 runners have registered for Estepona’s first-ever marathon next month, with British and international athletes making up nearly half of the field.
The inaugural Estepona Garden of the Costa del Sol Marathon will take place on October 11, featuring both full and half marathon distances.
Foreigners account for 48.5% of the signups, with a particularly strong turnout expected from the UK alongside runners from Gibraltar, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium and Poland.
Organisers have attributed the massive international response to the town’s climate, the format of the race, and its proximity to both Malaga and Gibraltar airports.
The course itself promises to be a major draw, featuring 23km along the town’s scenic coastal corridor.
The route has been specifically designed to avoid areas with steep inclines to reduce the difficulty for runners.
The final kilometres will wind through the centre of Estepona before participants cross the finish line at the Municipal Athletics Stadium.
Despite the global appeal, the race maintains a strong local core, with 36% of competitors coming from Malaga province, including over 200 from Estepona itself.
Registration remains open via the official marathon website – with entry priced at €60 for the full marathon and €35 for the half.
It marks a major new addition to the sporting calendar for the Costa del Sol.
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