Maratón de la Atenas Veracruzana

The Maraton de la Atenas Veracruzana is Xalapa's flagship road race, drawing thousands of runners each spring to the hilly capital of Veracruz state -- a city nicknamed 'the Athens of Veracruz' for its universities, museums, and cultural life. Organized by the nonprofit Menos Kilos, Mas Vida, the race starts and finishes at Estadio Xalapeno Heriberto Jara Corona and sends marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K fields through Xalapa's coffee-country hills on staggered pre-dawn starts. The course's climbs and cool mountain air have made it a draw for East African elite runners: Kenyan athletes swept the marathon podium at the 2026 edition, which drew more than 2,500 finishers across all four distances and sold out ahead of race day. Cash prizes are awarded by age group in every distance, and the event closes a dozen downtown streets each year. With registration opening months in advance and past editions selling out, runners planning for the Maraton de la Atenas Veracruzana should register early.