Valencia, Amsterdam, and Lisbon lead global sports tourism rankings

Valencia, Amsterdam, and Lisbon have emerged as leading destinations for sports tourism, according to a study by Holafly. The analysis, which evaluates marathons based on prestige, cultural appeal, and global interest, ranks the Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Marathon as the top destination. The Valencia event has already exhausted its 36,000 public registrations, though some spots may remain available through authorized international tour operators.

The TCS Amsterdam Marathon follows in second place, holding a World Athletics Platinum Label, while the EDP Lisbon Marathon ranks third. The study highlights a growing trend of runners seeking to combine personal athletic goals with travel to culturally significant locations.

In addition to tourism trends, the 35th edition of the Valencia Half Marathon is scheduled for October 25. The event features a highly competitive field, with athlete Rodrigue Kwizera holding the fastest time in the men's roster at 58:16. Kwizera is positioned to compete not only for the win but also for the European record, facing strong competition from Kenyan and Ethiopian runners. The women's field includes prominent athletes such as Tsigie Gebreselama and Yalemzerf Yehualaw.