Total Energies Malaga Half Marathon updated review *new course*

I took part in the Total Energies Malaga Half Marathon for the 4th year in a row, but in 2025, the course was slightly different. Here’s my updated Malaga Half review, which is without a doubt one of my favourite races.

About the Total Energies Malaga Half Marathon

This half marathon is one of the flattest, if not the flattest half marathon in Europe, with only 6m of elevation gain across the entire course.

It has been gaining popularity in recent years, attracting more and more international runners and increasing the strength of the field.

Where does it start and finish?

In 2025, the course changed. Instead of starting and finishing by the stadium, a few miles away from the centre, the race start and finish lines were at the heart of Malaga, by Paseo del Parque.

It sounds like it will be the same course in 2026 and potentially beyond.

The expo

Runners need to collect their race number and goodie bag at the expo, held at the Stadium. Race number collection is not possible on race day.

Can you get a PB at Malaga Half?

Definitely yes! It’s a flat course and the conditions are usually good. I had a great race and PB’d every time I raced here. In 2025, I ran my fastest half marathon yet, finishing in 83:19. This Reel shows you what the course is like in 20 seconds.

Check out the course details on my Strava activity,

Total Energies Malaga Half Marathon review

Here’s my updated review based on my 2025 experience with the new course.

Watch this race vlog to see what it looks like:

What I love about this event

It’s fast and flat! The course is rather enjoyable, with a good stretch following the beach. You get to run surrounded by palm trees and can see a few landmarks, such as the lighthouse and the colourful Pompidou centre building.
As the event grows in popularity, the bigger field means that it’s easier to stay in a pack for longer, no matter your pace.
The goodie bag is usually worth it, with great snacks and bits that you’ll actually use. They also put more effort into each year’s race T-shirt, with a unique design, not just the event name and sponsor logos.
Despite a price rise since my first time entering this event, the entry fee is still very reasonable, if you enter early it’s 24 euros.
It’s definitely worth buying the full photo pack, you’ll get your money’s worth. There are photographers around every corner, you will get papped! My photo pack this year had over 100 shots of me.
The new course is easier to spectate for people who come to watch you, especially if they want to see you on the course more than once.

Any downsides?

The only downside about the new course itself is that you can no longer find shelter inside the stadium before the race start. On a chilly morning, it was quite handy.
The risk with the course itself is that if it’s a windy day, you’ll feel the wind even more by the beach and it’s pretty much an out and back so you could deal with headwind for a good chunk of the race.
Now that the start and finish are no longer by the stadium, I wish they brought the expo closer to the centre, for instance by the port like they do for the marathon.

Whilst a part of me is nostalgic about the previous course, I still had a fantastic experience at this year’s Malaga Half and I’m pretty sure I’ll come back to run it a 5th time!