On 16th November 2025, I took part in the Larnaka International Marathon. This is the 3rd time I have ran, and organised the Pace Team in Larnaka. Larnaka International Marathon was my 177th Marathon (plus) and my 132nd time as an official pacer (including 69 marathons). It was my 16th marathon of 2025, and 13th as a pacer this year.
After last year’s thunderstorm I was really pleased to see the sun, with temperatures in mid 20⁰ every day. I love the balance going to Larnaka, with a smaller (but growing) field size, and relaxed atmosphere. Paired with great, friendly organisation. It certainly isn’t the biggest events I have been to, with the marathon reaching 1,100 runners, but there is something special about running in Cyprus. In fact it felt really busy this year. With larger numbers in the half marathon, plus the 10k, 5k and kids 1k, it had the feeling of a larger event.
I flew out early on Friday this year, arriving at 15:00. My hotel and and race venue for Larnaka International Marathon are a very short drive from the airport. I received an invite to take part in the Torch Relay, which was a lovely experience. I travelled to the old airport, a few kilometres away from the race start / finish, and listened to the ceremony (in Greek so don’t ask me what they said). Then we all got into a few coaches.
The torch was lit at the ceremony and then runners were let out the coach around 150 metres apart. I was let out around half way, and waited in the dark, until the torch arrived held by a runner, along with all the previous runners. The torch was passed to me, and then I ran until the next person, where I passed them the torch and joined with everyone else.
We made out way to the presentation stage where a large bowl was lit by the torch. A really nice experience to be part of. After this I checked into my hotel, and realised I had booked the same hotel as fellow pacers, Moneil and Geoff. We went out and decided to go for a Greek restaurant. I had a “supreme mixed grill” which was enough to feed two, and I also ordered a Greek salad. Obviously I finished it.
The benefit of flying early Friday, rather than later or even on Saturday as I have before, is I had a lot of free time on Saturday. I didn’t sleep very well, and when I set my alarm for an early morning run and breakfast, I turned it off. I then finally jumped out of bed at 09:35 to not miss breakfast in my hotel. I took the day very slowly, walking down the seafront for fries and a pint of keo, before going to registration. I had arranged to meet all the pacers at 16:00 to collect kit, but I went a couple of hours early to sort out the flags, and put all the kit together for them.
After meeting the pacers and ensuring everyone had everything, a few of us went for some food. We went to a different Greek restaurant, and somehow I ended up with another mixed grill. Clearly not the most ideal pre-race food, but its not every day I get to enjoy this food.
I ended up staying out later than I usually would, as I meet the remaining pacers who had a later flight, so I could give them their race kit. Then it was time for my #flatlay then bed.
Larnaka International Marathon
Race morning arrived, and I set my alarm for 05:00, as I had arranged for pacers to meet at 06:00. I am definitely not a morning person, but races are always early starts, either for logistics or in Cyprus, to avoid the heat. It was cold in the morning, but with a crisp sky as we watched the sunrise, it was clear it would be a warm day.
We had a pacer photo at 06:30, then all made our way to the start pen. The marathon started at 07:00, and after we started the half marathon filled the pen for 07:15. I had a good crowd for the 4 hour group, with a number of first time marathon runners, and over a lot of people aiming to break 4 hours for the first time.
The route was nice and mostly flat. We do a first lap which follows most of the half marathon route, before coming through the finish. We then do the same route, but follow for the whole half marathon and extend for about 6km. This 6km, which is between 32km and 38km, is the hardest part of the course with the only real incline of the race.
The event is planned and organised well, with all the races overlapping, but not getting in the way. The leaders of the half marathon caught me at just over 30 minutes, considering they started about 15 minutes behind is crazy. But they passed on the left, lead by bikes and whistles and it really wasn’t an issue. Likewise, the lead marathon runners would have passed the back of the half marathon runners. When I finished we merged with the 10km runners for the final 3km, which made it busy, but not too much that we could not easily pass. The 5km runners had already finished, and a while after I finished the corporate 5km and finally the 1km kids race happened.
The aid stations are perfect in Larnaka. They are every 2km with water, and toilets, then every 5km there is gatorade and bananas. After 20km there is coke every 5km, and there were also gels in the final stages. My strategy was to take water (in bottles) every station. I drank half and poured the rest over my head. I also really appreciated the coke.
To be honest I actually felt a little unwell at the start, which worried me a little. I thought I might be sick, and part of me thought this might help, as I was worried about taking on fuel. It was likely the heavy meal I had the night before sitting in my stomach. Fortunately it settled after a few KM, and I was cautious to not take on too much fuel.
I found the event brilliant, and kept a steady pace throughout. The plan was always to get around 80 seconds ahead of schedule for the inclines at 32 km. The idea being to pace around 5 seconds a mile faster so everyone could sustain the pace, which enabled us to take the inclines more gently. It worked perfectly and we eased off, and during this time I went from 80 seconds ahead to 30 seconds. The plan being to just coast the final 5km.
The only criticism I have for the event is the markers. They were not consistent, but felt worse in the final stages. Whilst they were not perfect, for the first 35km they felt roughly reliable and where I expected them to be. But at 36km I went from 30 seconds ahead, to 10 seconds behind. I thought this must be just a poor placement of the marking, so I started looking out on the road for the paint. I saw this was often a few hundred metres before the flag, but even then the paint marking (which I assumed would be accurate for the course) had me too close for comfort, and the flag had me at one point 25 seconds behind target. At 38km, despite planning to ease off and coast the final 4km, I decided to hold pace like I had for the first half, as I didn’t want to risk runners missing their target. I had a number of runners ahead of me, and a good dozen around me who had been with me since the start.
At 40km I thought this would be the best marker to measure. Both the flag and mark on the road were together, and it had me at 1 second over target. I didn’t want to panic everyone, but just said I wanted everyone to pick up the pace for a strong finish, and I encouraged everyone to have a strong finish. Usually this would be where I leave runners to run ahead, whilst I hold pace, but because of the uncertainty for the last 4km I held a faster pace. Despite the faster pace, at 41 km I recorded 5 seconds under target, which would be perfect for me, but to close for those behind me. It was hard, because I knew I was close, but not close enough, so I held the pace, turning the corner to the finish stretch I realised I was clearly going to be fast, and the final 1km was actually about 600 metres.
I wouldn’t change it though. Everyone who was going to finish with me, stayed with me, and they got a little better than they hoped for (but still sub 4). There were also a number who could not keep up with me, but still achieved their sub 4, so I saw more achieve their time. I am confident that the course is measured correctly, but the marker placement needs work.
There was a 100% success rate of pacers achieving under their time. The majority wrote to me to apologise that they ran about a minute faster than they wanted, explaining the same experience. I am proud of the team, all coming in target, but also staying with their runners until the end, even when realising they were to fast. I could easily have slowed to knock a minute off my time, but that isn’t what its about, and a minute faster than I would like is a success considering the situation. I would sooner be up to 2 minutes ahead than a few seconds slow.
The finish was incredible, such a beautiful place to arrive. It had great atmosphere and with the sun out, it made a great post race experience. It was getting hot, and felt around 24⁰, but I stayed hydrated with Carlsberg alcohol free beer at the finish. I always go for a nice massage at the finish in Larnaka. You only end up waiting about 20 minutes and get a nice complimentary massage.
I left for the airport at 15:00 for a 17:00 flight, so the next few hours I enjoyed the sun and food. I had been invited to the after party, but this started and so unfortunately I missed the experience.
Overall, Larnaka is a great event for a flat, well organised race. Friendly vibe, good atmosphere and such a great location to enjoy with friends or family. The location to the airport and cost makes it a great choice. It is also perfect for some winter sun, unless you get unlucky with the weather.
pickupthepacepaul 