The Medellin Marathon takes runners through the streets of Colombia's "City of Eternal Spring," nestled in a lush valley in the Andes mountains at 1,500 metres elevation. Once notorious for its troubled past, Medellin has transformed into one of South America's most innovative and welcoming cities. The race showcases the city's remarkable urban renewal, vibrant neighbourhoods, and the warmth of the Paisa people, all set against a backdrop of green mountains.
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The Event
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | Medellin Marathon 2026 |
| Date | Sunday, October 18, 2026 |
| Venue | Estadio Atanasio Girardot (Start & Finish) |
| Address | Carrera 74 #48-139, Medellin, Antioquia |
| Airport | Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) |
Weather: October in Medellin is one of the wetter months, with average highs of 27°C (81°F) and lows of 17°C (63°F). Thanks to its elevation at 1,500 metres, temperatures are warm but not oppressive. Morning showers are possible but often clear by midday. Humidity is moderate.
The Venue: Estadio Atanasio Girardot
The Estadio Atanasio Girardot is Medellin's main sports complex, home to the city's two major football clubs, Atletico Nacional and Independiente Medellin. The surrounding Unidad Deportiva sports precinct includes athletics tracks, swimming pools, and green spaces, providing a festive and well-organised race village for the marathon start and finish. The race expo is typically held within the sports complex in the days before the event.
What's nearby:
- Estadio Metro Station — The Metro station directly serves the venue, making race-morning access simple and car-free
- Parque de los Deseos — A popular public square near the Planetarium and Botanical Garden with interactive water features and open-air cinema screenings
- Universidad de Antioquia — The historic main campus with beautiful architecture and murals, adjacent to the sports complex
- Barrio Laureles — A leafy, walkable neighbourhood with excellent local restaurants, bakeries, and cafes just south of the stadium
Important: Medellin sits at 1,500 metres (4,900 feet) elevation. If you are not accustomed to running at altitude, arrive at least 2-3 days early to acclimatise. The elevation can significantly affect your pace, so adjust your race strategy accordingly.
Where to Stay
The best areas to stay are El Poblado (the main tourist district with hotels, restaurants, and nightlife), Laureles (a more local, residential neighbourhood close to the venue), and the Centro/La Candelaria area (budget-friendly, historic, close to cultural attractions). Laureles is the most convenient for the marathon start at the Estadio.
Hotel Dann Carlton Medellin — Best for Race Day Convenience
Located on Carrera 43A in El Poblado, this established four-star hotel offers spacious rooms, a pool, and a generous breakfast buffet. Well-connected to the Estadio by Metro or a short taxi ride. Expect rates around COP 450,000-700,000 per night (approximately USD $100-160).
The Charlee Hotel — Premium Pick
A stylish lifestyle hotel in the heart of El Poblado's Parque Lleras area, with a famous rooftop pool, excellent restaurant, and buzzing social scene. About 20 minutes by taxi or Metro to the race venue. Rates start around COP 800,000-1,200,000 per night (approximately USD $180-270).
Wanderland Hostel Medellin — Best Budget-Friendly Option
This highly rated hostel in Laureles offers both dorms and private rooms, a pool, a social atmosphere, and is just a 15-minute walk from the Estadio. Ideal for budget-conscious runners who want proximity to the race. Private rooms are typically COP 150,000-250,000 per night (approximately USD $35-58).
Getting There
From Jose Maria Cordova Airport (MDE)
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colectivo shared van | ~60-80 min | COP 18,000-22,000 | Shared minivans depart from outside arrivals; drop off at San Diego Mall or designated stops |
| Taxi (official white) | ~50-70 min | COP 95,000-120,000 | Fixed-rate official taxis from the airport counter; agree on price before departing |
| Uber / InDriver | ~50-70 min | COP 60,000-90,000 | Pick up from departures level to avoid issues; InDriver is also popular in Medellin |
Public Transport
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Metro / Metroplus single ride | COP 3,200 |
| Integrated bus transfer | COP 0 (included with Metro ticket within time window) |
Medellin's Metro is the pride of the city and the only metro system in Colombia. It is clean, efficient, and safe. The Metro connects the north-south valley corridor, with an integrated system of Metroplus buses, cable cars (Metrocable), and trams. Use a rechargeable Civica card, available at any Metro station. The Estadio station on Line A provides direct access to the race venue.
Where to Eat
El Poblado — The main tourist dining district with international restaurants, Colombian fusion cuisine, craft cocktail bars, and trendy brunch spots concentrated around Parque Lleras and Via Primavera. Laureles (Carrera 70) — A vibrant local dining strip packed with traditional Antioquian restaurants, panaderias (bakeries), arepas stands, and casual eateries. Great for authentic Paisa food at local prices.
Medellin Food to Try
- Bandeja Paisa — The iconic Antioquian platter featuring red beans, rice, chicharron (fried pork belly), ground meat, chorizo, fried egg, plantain, avocado, and an arepa. A mountain of food perfect for carb-loading.
- Arepa — A grilled or fried corn cake served with butter, cheese, or hogao (tomato and onion sauce). Antioquian arepas are thick, white, and delicious. Available everywhere from street carts to restaurants.
- Empanadas — Crispy deep-fried corn empanadas filled with seasoned potato and meat, served with aji (hot sauce). A staple street food found at every corner for COP 2,000-3,000 each.
- Mondongo — A hearty tripe soup with potatoes, vegetables, and cilantro, considered comfort food in Antioquia. Try it at a traditional fonda (country-style restaurant).
- Juan Valdez or local specialty coffee — Medellin is in the heart of Colombia's coffee region. Visit a specialty coffee shop like Pergamino or Cafe Velvet for exceptional single-origin Colombian coffee.
Budget eating: Medellin is extremely affordable. Almuerzo ejecutivo (set lunch) at local restaurants includes soup, a main course, rice, salad, and juice for COP 12,000-18,000 (about USD $3-4). Street food like empanadas, arepas, and chorizos cost COP 2,000-5,000. The food courts at Centro Comercial Santafe and El Tesoro offer variety for COP 15,000-25,000.
Essential Medellin Tips
Currency. Colombian Peso (COP). Cash vs card. Cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops in El Poblado and Laureles. Smaller restaurants, street vendors, and local shops often require cash. ATMs are plentiful; withdraw from bank ATMs inside shopping centres for safety. Tipping. A 10% voluntary service charge (propina voluntaria) is typically added to restaurant bills and your server will ask if you would like to include it. It is customary to say yes. Tip taxi drivers by rounding up. Language. Spanish. Paisas (Medellin locals) are known for their friendly, clear Spanish, making it one of the easier Colombian cities for Spanish learners. English is spoken at tourist hotels and some restaurants in El Poblado but not widely elsewhere. Weather in October. Warm with average highs of 27°C (81°F) and lows of 17°C (63°F). October is one of the rainier months, with afternoon and evening showers common. Mornings are usually drier. The "eternal spring" climate means temperatures are remarkably consistent year-round. Safety. Medellin has undergone a dramatic transformation and is much safer than its reputation suggests. El Poblado and Laureles are safe for tourists. Use common sense: avoid displaying expensive electronics, use Uber/InDriver instead of hailing taxis at night, and stay in well-populated areas after dark. Avoid venturing into unfamiliar neighbourhoods alone at night.
What to See
- Comuna 13 — Once the most dangerous neighbourhood in Medellin, now a vibrant open-air art gallery with colourful murals, outdoor escalators, street performers, and an inspiring story of urban transformation. Take a guided tour for the full experience.
- Jardin Botanico — Medellin's beautiful botanical garden with tropical plants, a butterfly house, and a striking wooden orchid display structure, located near the race venue.
- Plaza Botero — An open-air gallery in the city centre featuring 23 monumental bronze sculptures by Fernando Botero, Medellin's most famous artist. Free to visit and photograph.
- Parque Arvi — Take the Metrocable from the city up into the mountains to this ecological nature reserve with hiking trails, local markets, and fresh mountain air. Perfect recovery day activity.
- Guatape & El Penol — A colourful lakeside town about 2 hours east of Medellin, famous for the 740-step climb up the El Penol rock for staggering panoramic views. A popular day trip.
- Museo de Antioquia — Located on Plaza Botero, this museum houses an extensive collection of Botero's paintings and sculptures alongside pre-Columbian, colonial, and contemporary Colombian art.
Quick Reference
| Need | Answer |
|---|---|
| Airport | Jose Maria Cordova (MDE), 35 km southeast (in Rionegro) |
| Venue | Estadio Atanasio Girardot, Carrera 74 #48-139 |
| Nearest station | Estadio (Metro Line A) — direct access to venue |
| Transport to venue | Metro Line A to Estadio; taxi or rideshare |
| Currency | Colombian Peso (COP) |
| Cash needed? | Yes, for street food, local restaurants, and small vendors |
| Language | Spanish |
| Weather | Warm: 17-27°C (63-81°F), afternoon rain possible |
| Tipping | 10% voluntary service charge typically added to bills |
| Emergency | 123 (national emergency number) |
This guide will be updated as more event details are confirmed. Last updated: May 2026.