XM Limassol Marathon

The XM Limassol Marathon is Cyprus's flagship running event and one of the Mediterranean's most popular early-season marathons, drawing 17,000+ runners from over 50 countries to this sunny coastal city each March. The flat, fast, AIMS-certified course follows the Mediterranean seafront from the vibrant Molos Park promenade eastward to the ancient ruins of Amathus — a royal city dating back to 1100 BC — and back, with a maximum altitude of just 18 meters above sea level. The route passes Limassol Castle, a medieval fortress linked to Richard the Lionheart's wedding, and the charming narrow streets of the old town before opening up along kilometers of uninterrupted seaside promenade. The course's exceptional flatness and sea-level profile make it a favorite for personal bests and Boston Qualifying attempts, while the early spring timing means runners escape the worst of Northern European winter for Mediterranean sunshine and temperatures around 11-19°C. The two-day race weekend features six distances from a corporate 5K on Saturday to the full marathon on Sunday, creating an inclusive festival atmosphere. Early-bird pricing at just 42 EUR makes this one of the most affordable international marathons, and Limassol's excellent hotels, beach culture, and lively waterfront restaurants add up to an ideal race-cation destination.