Valencia Marathon 2024: An edition at risk

On October 29 and 30, Spain’s third-largest city experienced unprecedented flooding. The Valencia Marathon organizers are doing their best to support the DANA (which stands for “depresion aislada en niveles alto,” or isolated high-level depression), but with 217 deaths and visible damages throughout the city, it’s difficult to imagine hosting an international marathon in less than a month.

In an email sent on November 4, just days after the tragic disaster, the organizers have refrained from making a decision and are waiting to see how the city’s restoration progresses. They have not yet commented on the potential cancellation of this eagerly anticipated event by elite athletes and marathon runners.

This edition was meant to be special: a one-million-euro prize was announced for a world record set during the marathon. This sum might become a controversial topic if the event goes ahead, as it could be used to aid many of Valencia’s flood victims.