Sports
Buenos Aires Marathon: Pre-Race Routine, Food, and Expo
Logistics tips, dining options in Palermo and Recoleta, and what to expect from the official 42k expo in Argentina.
Discover how pre-marathon logistics work in Buenos Aires, from carb-loading food choices to navigating the official expo. Here is what you need to know before race day.
Running an international marathon involves much more than just lacing up your shoes on Sunday. The entire dynamic of the preceding days—finding where to eat, adjusting your carb-loading routine, picking up your race bib, and staying off your feet—sets the tone for the starting line. At the Buenos Aires Marathon, this pre-race routine has distinct characteristics compared to the major World Marathon Majors.
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City atmosphere and pre-race dining
Unlike races such as Chicago, New York, or Berlin, where the entire city revolves around the event and restaurants near the start line book out months in advance, Buenos Aires maintains a more accessible pace for its roughly 18,000 registered runners. The city does not get overwhelmed, and finding pasta spots in traditional neighborhoods like Palermo and Recoleta is relatively straightforward using local maps.
For those who prefer total control over their pre-race nutrition, booking an Airbnb proves to be a strategic move. Having a kitchen available allows you to prepare your pre-race dinner without the stress of waitlists or unfamiliar dishes upsetting your stomach.
Shakeout runs and resting the day before
On the day before the race, training routines typically include an easy 5 km shakeout run to loosen up muscles. In Buenos Aires, the parks in the Palermo neighborhood serve as a common meeting spot for running clubs and runners warming up.
Still, keeping your schedule on track on Saturday is crucial. Delaying your first meal of the day after a shakeout run can disrupt the caloric and fluid intake planned for your carb load. To prevent physical exhaustion and unnecessary stress, the best approach during the 24 hours leading up to the marathon is to limit sightseeing walks, prioritize horizontal rest at your accommodation, and stay consistently hydrated.
Expo setup and bib pickup
The official Buenos Aires Marathon expo features a lean, functional setup, far from the mega-expos of major international events or large regional races like the Rio Marathon. The space focuses primarily on fast bib and timing-chip pickup, anchored by the official store of race sponsor Adidas and a few peripheral booths.
For those planning to purchase the official jacket or commemorative collector items, the best strategy is arriving right when the doors open. While the entrance line moves quickly due to the efficient setup, the official store checkout lines can see longer waits later in the afternoon.
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