A paradise for marathon lovers The term ‘Ciudad del Running’ no longer does justice to the Valencia Marathon: more than 30,000 finishers made history 15 The Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich has entered a new dimension. The race has become a veritable amusement park for runners from all over the world. Valencia is now like heaven for runners, a kind of paradise for marathon runners of all kinds who come to the city with the simple yet challenging goal of fulfilling their dream. Valencia is a mecca for fun runners and for those who take running a little more seriously, for the most experienced and complete beginners, and for the national and international elite who have travelled here from all over the world. The flags of up to 150 countries were represented on the race bibs of the 36,000 runners who had signed up almost a year ago, shortly after the previous year's race finished. Almost 25,000 people from overseas –67% of the official participation figures for the event– took to the streets of the city. And of them, 30,777 finishers made this marathon the biggest in its 45-year history. Never before have so many people experienced the sensation of heading down the ramp towards the City of Arts and Sciences, running across the water of the l'Hemisfèric lake and crossing a finish line that has gone viral among the international running community. That is judging by the impressions of those who have travelled from far away –from even further than one could imagine– and who insist that the start and finish line of the Valencia Marathon is now a must on the itinerary of any self-respecting adventurous runner. Valencia is to running what the Maldives, Mount Fuji or Bora Bora are to a romantic getaway. A short stroll through the post-finish area was enough to meet hundreds and hundreds of finishers who had come from abroad, but also from within our country. To run through the city's streets and then leisurely amble along them. Many, almost 17,000, came to discover the race and then visit the city for the first time. Others even flew several thousand kilometres just to run in what they had been told was the ciudad del running. “Yes, what they say is true”, commented Berna, a Mexican who had packed his suitcase in More than 24,000 runners from 150 different countries took part in the most international version of the Valencia Marathon to date
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