Planning to run a marathon? Many organisers require a valid marathon medical certificate before you can collect your race number. At Fit Certify, our certificates are accepted by marathons in France, Italy, across Europe and worldwide:
Thousands of runners have already sorted their marathon medical certificates with Fit Certify. Hear what they have to say:
A marathon medical certificate is a document, signed by a doctor, confirming you are fit to take part in a marathon or running event. Many European races — particularly in France and Italy — make this certificate mandatory before you can collect your race bib. It’s often required for famous events such as the Chianti Ultra Trail, Lavaredo Ultra Trail, Paris Marathon, Rome Marathon and UTMB Monte Rosa Walserwaeg.
At Fit Certify, our network of sports doctors provide same-day online medical certificates for marathon runners. Your certificate is delivered by email in PDF format, ready to upload or show at registration. The process is quick, stress-free, and fully compliant with European and international organiser requirements.
We support runners across the UK and worldwide preparing for everything from city marathons in France and Italy to challenging trail ultras across Europe. Whatever the event, our doctors are highly experienced in issuing event-specific medical certificates that race organisers will accept.
At Fit Certify, applying for your marathon medical certificate is quick and straightforward. In just three easy steps, you can complete the process from home and have your certificate in your email inbox within just a few hours.
Start by filling out our secure online health questionnaire. We’ll ask about your training, medical history, and the event you’re preparing for. This information helps our doctors understand your running background and ensures the certificate matches the requirements set by marathon organisers. You can complete the form in just a few minutes from your phone or computer — no clinic visit needed.
Once you’ve submitted your details, one of our registered doctors will review your application. They check your health information against the standards required for long-distance running events. If anything needs clarification, the doctor may contact you directly to confirm details.
After approval, your signed fit-to-run medical certificate is issued by the doctor and emailed straight to your inbox in PDF format. With our same-day service, you’ll have your paperwork ready in time to complete registration.
Sports Medicine Doctor • Athlete • Founder & Chief Medical Officer at Fit Certify
Every runner knows the feeling — months of training, travel plans sorted, excitement building for race day… only to find out you can’t collect your bib without a marathon medical certificate. It’s frustrating, and I’ve seen it happen to far too many athletes.
I’m Simon, a former emergency medicine doctor with over 15 years in frontline care. These days I lead a team of sports doctors at Fit Certify, dedicated to helping runners get the medical clearance they need — quickly, safely, and without hassle.
As an athlete myself, I’ve taken part in events across Europe — from big city races like the Paris Marathon and Rome Marathon to trail challenges like the Lavaredo Ultra Trail and the Chianti Trail. I know how much effort goes into preparing, and I also know how easily paperwork can stand in the way of the start line.
That’s why I started Fit Certify: to take the stress out of the process. Our online service delivers same-day certificates that meet the strict requirements of organisers in France, Italy, across Europe and worldwide.
And if you ever have a question or need help with your application, you can always reach me and my team directly at hello@fitcertify.com. Our job is to handle the paperwork, so you can focus on your race!
Some marathons don’t just ask for a generic fit-to-run certificate — they provide their own official form that must be signed and stamped by a doctor. These documents are common in France and Italy, and usually include a statement confirming you have no medical contraindications to running and are safe to compete.
At Fit Certify, we deal with this paperwork every day. If your organiser has issued a specific form, simply upload it with your application. Our sports doctors will complete it correctly, adding their signature, stamp, and medical details so it meets the organiser’s requirements.
From the Transgrancanaria Marathon and Madeira Island Ultra Trail to challenging European trail races like the Lavaredo Ultra Trail, Chianti Trail, and UTMB Monte Rosa Walserwaeg, we’ve helped runners get the exact documentation they need. With our service, you won’t have to worry about rejected forms or last-minute stress — your paperwork will be right the first time.
Applying for a marathon medical certificate with Fit Certify is quick and easy. To ensure your certificate is accurate, doctor-signed, and fully accepted by race organisers, we’ll ask you to share a few key details when completing your online application.
That’s it. No in-person appointment, no paperwork delays. Once your details are submitted, a doctor will review your application the same day and issue your signed, stamped certificate — ready for upload to the event portal or presentation at registration.
Every marathon medical certificate issued by Fit Certify contains the exact information required by race organisers. Many marathons and ultra events enforce strict rules on how certificates are worded. Our sports doctors work with these requirements every day, so you can be confident your paperwork will be accepted first time.
Your certificate will include:
With Fit Certify, you don’t need to worry about rejected paperwork or incorrect wording. Your fit-to-run certificate is prepared to the highest standard, so you can register smoothly and concentrate on your training.
Getting a marathon medical certificate shouldn’t be complicated — but for many runners, it often is. GP appointments can take weeks, forms are sometimes rejected by race organisers, and the whole process can feel like unnecessary stress when all you want to do is focus on your training.
That’s why thousands of runners choose Fit Certify. We provide a fast, fully online service designed specifically for marathon and endurance events in France, Italy, across Europe and beyond. Certificates are delivered the same day, signed and stamped by sports doctors who understand exactly what race organisers require.
Here’s why runners trust us with their medical clearance:
Our marathon medical certificates are accepted by organisers across Europe and worldwide. Many of the most famous city marathons, trail races, and ultra-distance events will not let you collect your bib without an official doctor-signed “fit-to-run” certificate.
Here are some of the major destinations and events where runners have successfully used Fit Certify certificates:
Italy is known for having some of the toughest medical certificate requirements. From road marathons to mountain ultras, almost every organiser demands official paperwork:
Southern Europe has some of the most spectacular events, with strict entry requirements:
While not every event in these countries requires a certificate, some high-profile ones do:
Some events outside Europe also follow strict medical certificate rules, including:
A marathon medical certificate is a doctor-signed document confirming you are medically fit to run a marathon or endurance race. It includes your personal details, date of issue, and a statement that you have no medical contraindications to running in competition. Many European organisers — especially in France and Italy — make this paperwork mandatory before bib collection.
Marathon medical certificates are required to protect runner safety and comply with sporting regulations. They provide reassurance to organisers that participants are medically cleared for long-distance running. In France and Italy, the law requires certificates with specific wording, which is why international races demand them. Without a valid certificate, you may be refused entry.
You can get a marathon medical certificate in the UK through your GP, a private sports clinic, or an online provider. The key is that it must be signed by a registered doctor and dated within 12 months of your race.
Some GPs may issue certificates, though availability varies and many charge a private fee. Private clinics usually require an in-person appointment, which can be costly and time-consuming. Online services such as Fit Certify are the fastest option — you complete a short questionnaire, a sports doctor reviews it, and your certificate is emailed to you the same day.
Not always. In recent years, some French marathons — including the Paris Marathon — have replaced the traditional doctor-signed medical certificate with a new online Health Prevention Course (Parcours Prévention Santé, or PPS). Completing this course provides a digital attestation that is accepted in place of a medical certificate.
Yes. Italy has some of the strictest rules worldwide for marathon entry. Races like the Rome Marathon, Florence Half Marathon, Chianti Ultra Trail and Lavaredo Ultra Trail all require an official doctor-signed certificate. Italian organisers often issue their own template forms, which must be stamped and worded correctly. Fit Certify doctors regularly complete these event-specific forms for UK and international runners.
No — the Paris Marathon no longer requires a doctor-signed medical certificate for most runners. Since 2024, organisers have introduced the Health Prevention Course (Parcours Prévention Santé, or PPS) instead. This is a free online module that provides a digital attestation, which you upload during registration.
That said, some French races outside of Paris still require the traditional medical certificate confirming you have no contraindications to running in competition. If you’re planning to run other marathons, half marathons, or trail events in France, check the rules carefully, as a doctor-signed certificate may still be mandatory.
Not always. While some runners still book an in-person appointment with their GP or a private sports clinic, it’s not the only way to get a valid marathon medical certificate.
GPs / Own Doctor – Some doctors may issue certificates, though many practices no longer provide sports medical certificates. If they do, you may face long wait times or a private fee.
Private clinics – Sports medicine or travel health clinics often issue certificates after a brief consultation, but costs can be higher and appointments limited.
Online providers – Services like Fit Certify allow you to complete a health questionnaire online, have it reviewed by a sports doctor, and receive a signed, stamped PDF certificate by email — usually the same day.
Whichever route you choose, the key is that your certificate must be signed by a registered doctor, include the required “no medical contraindications to running” wording, and be dated within 12 months of your event.
Most marathon medical certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. This means you can often use the same certificate for multiple marathons or running events within a year, provided organisers accept it. Always check your race’s rules, as some may require a certificate issued within a shorter timeframe.
Yes, in most cases. If your certificate is within its 12-month validity period and contains the correct wording, you can reuse it for several events. Many runners use a single Fit Certify certificate for multiple races in Europe, including city marathons and trail ultras.
Not exactly. A marathon medical certificate is a clearance document confirming you are fit to run, based on your health questionnaire and medical history. It is not a full physical examination or diagnostic check-up. Some runners choose to combine their certificate with a broader health assessment, but it is not required for compliance.
You can request one from your GP or use a private provider like Fit Certify, which offers same-day online certificates for UK cyclists.
With Fit Certify, certificates are issued the same day you apply — often within just a few hours. This includes evenings, weekends, and bank holidays. Certificates are delivered in PDF format by email, ready to upload or present at bib collection.
Most UK marathons do not require a medical certificate. However, if you are running abroad — particularly in France, Italy, or Spain — a certificate is often mandatory. That’s why many UK runners use Fit Certify to get their paperwork in order before travelling.
Yes. Many marathons, especially in Italy, provide their own template forms that must be signed and stamped by a doctor. With Fit Certify, you can upload your organiser’s form during the application process. Our doctors will complete, sign, and stamp it to ensure it meets the exact requirements.
At Fit Certify the cost is £69 for a same-day marathon medical certificate signed by a sports medical doctor.
Certain health conditions may prevent a doctor from issuing a fit-to-run certificate, especially if they pose risks during endurance running. These can include serious heart or lung disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, recent major surgery, or ongoing symptoms such as chest pain, fainting, or severe shortness of breath.
Doctors also consider conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, epilepsy with recent seizures, or musculoskeletal injuries that could make marathon participation unsafe.
If you have a medical condition, it doesn’t always mean you’ll be refused a certificate — but the doctor may request more information, recommend further checks, or advise postponing your race until it’s safe. The purpose of the certificate is to confirm there are no contraindications to endurance running, so organisers can be confident you are medically cleared to compete.
If our sports medical doctors decides it’s unsafe to issue a certificate, we will issue you a full refund.
Yes. If your certificate cannot be issued, Fit Certify offers a full refund.
Explore our detailed guides on medical certificate rules for some of Europe’s best-known marathons and trail races
Your Guide to Getting a Medical Certificate for the Florence Half Marathon Dr Simon Shaw, Chief Medical Officer @ Fit Certify | 18th March 2025 | hello@fitcertify.com Contents Are you preparing for the Florence Half Marathon? One of Italy’s most iconic running events, this race takes you through the stunning
Your Guide to Getting a Medical Certificate for the Monterosa Walserwaeg by UTMB Dr Simon Shaw, Chief Medical Officer @ Fit Certify | 10th February 2025 | hello@fitcertify.com Contents Are you getting ready to take on Monterosa Walserwaeg by UTMB, one of the most breathtaking ultra-trail races in the world?
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