After passing Plaza Mayor, it goes north past the Royal Palace of Madrid and reaches the half marathon mark at Parque del Oeste.

[3] After exiting the park, it traces a path south for a few kilometres and includes a six-kilometre loop within Casa de Campo.

After a section which loops back south and north, the course heads east, uphill towards Madrid Atocha railway station.

[3] The combination of an undulating course, the last 10 km approximately uphill, and the altitude of the city has made it difficult for runners to produce fast marathon times.

[6] The 2020 edition of the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, with all registrants given the option of transferring their entry to 2021, 2022, or 2023, or obtaining a refund (minus management fees).