Estepona market makes way for marathon. What you need to know about road closures and supporting the runners

Fancy a Sunday stroll round the stalls at Estepona Port? Well not this weekend as your usual browse needs to make way for more than 1,500 runners on a landmark day for the town.

Port market closed Sunday, October 11

Estepona Marina’s traditional Sunday market will not go ahead on October 11, as the route of the Estepona Marathon passes straight through the harbour. Only this one date is affected and stalls will return on October 18 with the same hours and location, and port management has thanked traders, residents and visitors for their understanding.

Mega milestone for Estepona

Estepona has never hosted a race over this distance. Runners will cover 42 kilometres and 195 metres through several parts of town and its coastline, including the marina. A half marathon takes place on the same day, so there is a distance to suit most abilities. Race listings are capped at 2,000 in this debut edition, in a “boutique marathon” format. The event grows out of Estepona’s successful existing half marathon

The route truly makes the most of the beauty of Estepona. Runners start at 8:30am from the local athletics stadium, head for the seafront and follow the coastal path that links the town’s 23 kilometres of shoreline. Beaches such as La Cala, Saladillo and Guadalmansa feature on the course, as does the Torre del Velerin. Quaint streets, flower-filled corners and the gorgeous med on one side make quite a backdrop for a debut.

Road closures and local impact

With the race running from 8:30am to a 2pm finish limit, significant traffic adjustments will be in place throughout the morning.

Key routes including Avenida Juan Carlos I, Avenida España, the Paseo Maritimo, access roads around the marina, and coastal stretches toward Bel-Air will be closed to vehicle traffic during race hours. Drivers are advised to avoid entering the town centre or marina area by car until streets reopen around midday, with local authorities recommending travel on foot or by bicycle where possible.

Want to go along and cheer? The Paseo Maritimo in the town centre offers one of the best viewing spots, allowing spectators to watch runners pass three separate times without moving location. Grab a coffee at a harbour cafe, pick a spot along the course and clap for every finisher. Bring the family too, and be part of the first full marathon in the town. All the information on the day can be found here on the official website.