Puebla Marathon Guide for US Runners

MEXICO · SPORT GUIDE

Mexico’s colonial city of Puebla hosts a marathon weekend on its historic main square. Entries close the day before the race.

The Puebla Marathon runs on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in Puebla, Mexico. It starts and finishes at the Zócalo, the main square of the historic centre.

Four distances are on offer: marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K. The first start is at 6:25 am local time, which is 7:25 am US Eastern.

Why the Puebla Marathon Matters to US Runners

Puebla is a colonial city founded in 1531, and UNESCO, the United Nations cultural agency, lists its historic centre as World Heritage. It lies about 100 km east of Mexico City.

The Government of the State of Puebla organises the race through its Secretariat of Sport and Youth. Entries run through asdeporte.com and entusmarcas.com, two Mexican race-registration sites.

The field is capped at 20,000 runners across all four distances. The top marathon prize is MXN 200,000 (about US$10,640), so expect a competitive front of the race.

Race Day Schedule in US Eastern Time

Puebla keeps Mexico’s central time, UTC-6, all year. The US East Coast returned to Standard Time on Sunday, 1 November, so Puebla is one hour behind Eastern.

Athletes with motor disabilities start first, at 6:25 am local time (7:25 am Eastern), in the marathon and half marathon. The open marathon and the visual-disability category start at 6:30 am (7:30 am Eastern).

The open half marathon starts at 6:40 am (7:40 am Eastern). The 10K starts at 6:50 am (7:50 am Eastern) and the 5K at 6:57 am (7:57 am Eastern).

Prize presentations begin at 10:00 am local time (11:00 am Eastern) at the awards stand. The organiser lists no finish-line time limits.

Categories and Prizes

Categories include Elite, Master, disability classes and a Poblano category for runners from Puebla state. The Juvenile category applies to the 10K and 5K only.

The top three in the elite marathon win MXN 200,000, 100,000 and 50,000 (about US$10,640, US$5,320 and US$2,660). The top three in the elite half marathon win MXN 40,000, 20,000 and 10,000 (about US$2,130, US$1,060 and US$530).

Prize money carries a withholding tax of 7% for Mexican runners and 14% for foreign runners. Winners are paid by cheque and must show an original official ID.

Entry Fees and How to Register

The marathon costs MXN 410.10 (about US$21.82) and the half marathon MXN 324 (about US$17.24). The 10K costs MXN 216 (about US$11.49) and the 5K MXN 108 (about US$5.75).

Registration closes on Saturday, 28 November, at 1:00 pm local time, or earlier if the 20,000 places sell out. You can register online at asdeporte.com or entusmarcas.com, or in person at state sports offices.

Kits are handed out at the Auditorio Metropolitano from Thursday, 26 November, to Saturday, 28 November, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. Bring official ID, a printed QR confirmation and the signed liability waiver.

Dollar figures use the Bank of Mexico’s FIX rate of MXN 18.7962 per US$ on 30 October 2026, the latest published. Registration sites may add a service fee, which was not checked.

Getting to Puebla and the Start Line

The start is at the Zócalo, the main square of the historic centre. A hotel nearby saves a long pre-dawn trip for the first start at 6:25 am.

The marathon course runs out along Reforma and Juárez avenues to the Recta a Cholula. It returns to the historic centre by Atlixco boulevard and Avenida Las Torres.

UNESCO puts Puebla about 100 km east of Mexico City, and a Rio Times guide calls it a day trip by road. Flights, buses and transfers were not checked.

The Tecate Comuna Puebla music festival is on Saturday, 28 November, at Foro Cholula, the day before the race. Book a room early if you want to stay near the Zócalo.

Safety and Entry Rules for US Visitors

The State Department rates Puebla state Level 2, meaning exercise increased caution, due to crime and kidnapping. It says criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.

The Puebla section says US citizens have been victims of kidnapping. The version read for this guide is dated 6 September 2024, so check for updates before you fly.

US government employees may not hail taxis on the street or travel between cities after dark. Private travellers may wish to follow the same rules.

Mexico City is also Level 2, due to crime, with extra care advised at night outside frequented tourist areas. If you fly in through the capital, plan the road trip to Puebla in daylight.

The State Department’s Mexico country page, which sets out entry rules, would not open for this check. Confirm passport and entry rules there before you book.

Mexico’s consulate in New York says US citizens need a valid passport and no visa for stays up to 180 days. Its page, last updated in November 2023, adds that tourists generally fill in an entry form.

Buy travel medical insurance, and check the advisory again just before departure. No refund, transfer or insurance terms were found for the race.

How to Watch From the United States

No live broadcast or livestream has been announced, and no US broadcaster is named. Most US followers will look for results later, since the marathon starts at 7:30 am Eastern.

What It Means for You

For a US runner this is a destination race in a World Heritage city, with a marathon entry of about US$22. Add flights, a hotel near the Zócalo and insurance.

Register only through the listed sites and keep a screenshot of your confirmation. With 26 days to go, check that places remain and book travel before the 28 November deadline.

What Is Not Known

The organiser has published no refund or transfer policy, no results provider and no list of elite entrants. The phone and email fields on the registrar’s event page are blank.

The State Department’s entry-rules page could not be read, and the advisory text read for this guide dates from 2024. Confirm entry status and details through the registration sites before you book.

Connected Coverage

The Rio Times Mexico hub and its Puebla City Guide 2026 cover costs and safety in the city. The Mexico City guide helps if you fly in through the capital.

The Tecate Comuna Puebla festival on 28 November falls the day before the race. Other Mexican race weekends include the Ironman Cozumel triathlon on 22 November and the Mazatlán Marathon on 6 December.

Two more races fall on 13 December, the Mexico City half marathon and the Monterrey Marathon, which is sold out. Both have Rio Times guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Puebla Marathon in 2026?

The marathon is on Sunday, 29 November 2026, starting at 6:30 am Puebla time. That is 7:30 am US Eastern.

How much does the Puebla Marathon cost?

The marathon entry is MXN 410.10 (about US$21.82), and the half marathon is MXN 324 (about US$17.24). Registration closes on Saturday, 28 November, at 1:00 pm local time.

Can I watch the Puebla Marathon live in the United States?

No broadcast or livestream has been announced, and no US broadcaster is named. The marathon starts at 7:30 am Eastern, so most followers will check results later.

Is Puebla safe for US visitors?

The State Department rates Puebla state Level 2, exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping. Its staff may not hail street taxis or travel between cities after dark.

Sources: Maratón Puebla 2026, registrar event page (asdeporte.com); US State Department, Mexico travel advisory; UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Historic Centre of Puebla; Bank of Mexico, FIX exchange rate; Consulate General of Mexico in New York, planning resources (all accessed 3 November 2026).