If you like running, then you're a runner in every sense of the word. And you've come to the right place for you. Because we are going to tell you about the popular races that are held in Madrid every weekend. There are so many of them and every year there are new challenges on the asphalt.
Running has become a social phenomenon that attracts thousands of Madrilenians. Men, women and children of all ages take to the streets to let their legs loose for a few minutes. This fashion has even been noticed in the shop windows. More and more clothes are being tailor-made for runners. Sports brands are specialising in creating more fun t-shirts, leggings and running shoes, with more colours and fabrics adapted to this sport.
As a result, more and more races are being created every year to meet people's wishes. This year there are more than 200 popular races in the capital, which take up almost every weekend. With different profiles, there are solidarity, traditional, professional or family races and with a multitude of different purposes: educational, health, gender, integration, or simply festive and fun. Or simply festive and fun, such as those being held in recent years; this is the case of the Father Christmas Race in the first week of December or the Halloween Run on 31 October. The months with the most events are May, October and November, whose Saturdays and Sundays the streets are flooded with coloured T-shirts.
There are so many and so varied that we are going to summarise the most important ones, taking into account the number of participants. And we will do it following the calendar of the organisers, from the first one held in January to the one that closes the year and has become the top race in Madrid: the San Silvestre vallecana. Put on your tights and lace up your running shoes...we're starting to run!
RACES IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY
Reyes Solidarity Run
It is held every 7 January at the Go fit Peñagrande sports centre in the Pilar neighbourhood. Under the slogan: “Km of Felicidad”, its main purpose is to give toys to children in need. Olympic medallist Fermín Cacho is one of the regulars in this race, in which there are two modalities: a short distance of 5km and a longer one of 10km. The organisation allows runners to dress up as a Wise Man.
Paris Trophy - 12 January 2025
Classic race to start the year in the Parque Lineal del Manzanares with distances of 5 km and 10 km, start at 10:00 h.
10 K / 5 K Sanchinarro - 19 January 2025
A fast route through the Hortaleza neighbourhood, starting at 10:00 (5 km) and 10:45 (10 km). Ideal to test yourself after the festivities.
Fuencarral-El Pardo Half Marathon - 9 February 2025
The 40th edition of this demanding half-distance race with a demanding profile that links city and mountain. Start at 10:00 h in Nuestra Señora de Valverde street.
CAREERS IN MARCH
Madrid City Council Firefighters' Race 9 March 2025
This race pays tribute to the 10 firefighters who died in the Almacenes Arias fire in Madrid in 1987 and, in general, to all firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Departure from Puerta de Sol (9:30 a.m.) and the goal is in Paseo de Recoletos. Runners have a distance of 10km ahead of them. You only have to be over 16 years old. The bib costs 17€. There is a category of Firefighters with equipment, The relay is made up of 4 participants. Here the requirement is that the participants have to run with the intervention suit, jacket and helmet, although they are allowed to wear running shoes.
Water Race - 23 March 2025
42nd edition, approved circuits of 5 km (09:00 h) and 10 km (09:30 h) between Chamartín and Chamberí. The race is sold out with 4,500 runners.
Madrid in March against Cancer - 30 March 2025
The big charity event of the AECC takes place at the end of the month: 4 km and 10 km distances starting in Serrano.
This solidarity race has already been held several times and its aim is to collaborate with the AECC (Spanish Association Against Cancer). It has two circuits of 10 and 4 km for those who really like running; there are also children's races and other 2km races for those who prefer walking. The start and finish line is in the Plaza de Colón and registration fees vary depending on the modality chosen:
. 10 km and 4 km race, 12 €.
. 2 km race, 12 € for seniors (for those born in 2004 and earlier) and 8 € for children born in 2005 and later.
. Small non-competitive races, €8 for children born in 2008 and later.
. There is a PREMIUM race-bib for 25 €, which includes a personalised T-shirt and race-bib, as well as physiotherapy at the finish line.
CAREERS IN APRIL
Movistar Madrid Half Marathon - 6 April 2025
24th edition with 21,097 km and 5 km ProFuturo race. New start and finish line at Paseo de Recoletos, 9:15 h.
A race that attracts more than 20,000 participants. Next year marks 31 years since the Agrupación Deportiva Marathon organised this race with the aim of promoting the practice of athletics. It is a non-profit organisation that has been active for more than 50 years. It used to be called “the 20Km”The number of participants increased so much that the organisers themselves decided to add 1 km and 97 and a half metres. This is how it officially became the Madrid half marathon. It is a race in which very prominent Spanish and foreign athletes take part and every year it breaks records for non-professional runners.
In addition to this distance, there is the Profuturo 5km race, for those who don't dare to run so many metres.
The start and finish line is at the Paseo del Prado and the athletes will run through the main arteries of the city. If you are training hard, don't sleep because the numbers are flying.
Duathlon Villa de Madrid - 13th April 2025
This is one of the pioneering duathlons in our country. This event takes place exclusively in Casa de Campo. And it is open to all types of athletes, both federated and amateurs who like running and cycling. Participants must complete 10km on foot, 39.7 km on bike and another 5km running.
Madrid Marathon
The oldest marathon in Spain celebrates its 47th edition with distances of 10 km, 21 km and 42 km and 45 000 race numbers sold out.
It is usually held on the last Sunday in April. And every year it becomes a great celebration of athletics in the capital. The streets are closed to traffic so that thousands of athletes can run no less than 42 km and 192 metres. For a few years now, the organisers have created two other modalities: the 21 km as a half marathon and the 10 km.
This year, the 47th edition was held and more than 45,000 participants with a race bib have been counted. But there are many more because there are runners who start without registration. The professional race starts at 9 am, from the Plaza de Cibeles and 5 minutes later, the popular race starts. The 10km race starts half an hour earlier. Everything is very well organised so that all participants can enjoy the route: Paseo de la Castellana, Bravo Murillo, Francisco Silvela, Serrano, Santa Engracia, San Bernardo, Preciados, Mayor, Bailén, Ferraz, Avenida de Valladolid, Casa de Campo, Paseo de Virgen del Puerto, Imperial, Acacias, Atocha, Recoletos, Goya and Príncipe de Vergara. The finish line is at the Paseo del Retiro, a spectacular route! And only suitable for very well trained runners who are prepared to run between 3 and 4 hours.
CAREERS IN MAY
Women's Race - 11 May 2025
XXI Circuit “Marea Rosa”: 8 km exclusively for women. Start at 09:00 h from Princesa and finish line at Paseo de Camoens. Capacity for 32,000 runners.
It is known as the Pink Tide of Madrid because its streets are flooded with women runners wearing T-shirts of this colour, supporting the fight against breast cancer. It is a race aimed at women, regardless of their age, physical condition or sporting level. Women who put on their running shoes even if they walk the course. Groups of friends, work colleagues, sisters, mothers and daughters, even several generations, including grandmothers. Some are fighting against the disease, others have been cured and many do so in support of all women who have to face cancer.
The route is 6km and 300 metres approximately and this year has reached the 21st edition. The women's race passes through other cities in Spain, such as Valencia, Gijón, Vitoria, Seville, Barcelona and Zaragoza.
32,000 race bibs go on sale every year, but they sell out the same day the registration period opens. The price is €11. There is also a group of 25 women. The condition to participate is that you must be over 12 years old.
The start is from Princesa Street and the finish line is located in Paseo de Camoens, in the district of Moncloa. The race will be followed by an aerobics festival. In short, it is a sporting and solidarity festival where you will have a great time.
CAREERS IN JUNE
Generali Race for Inclusion - 1 June 2025
XVI edition (former Liberty), 10 km and 5 km with start/finish in Orense street and “Carrera de la Superación” for Paralympic athletes.
This is the race for the integration of the disabled. Olympic and Paralympic athletes take part and part of the proceeds go to the future promises of Spanish Paralympic athletics. This June's race marks the 16th edition of the event.
It is a 10 km distance through the centre of Madrid to finish where the race starts, at the Palacio de Deportes on Calle Goya. In addition, 2 more races are organised: a children's race and the Superación race with distances ranging from 80 to 600 metres.
A sporting event that attracts more and more participants every year. This last edition had 6,000 registered participants - a record number!
Tree Run. March for Health and Integration - 1st June 2025
This year was the 39th edition of this traditional race organised by the Vallecas Tree Club. The aim is to combine sport with ecology. All participants who reach the finish line are given a tree sapling as a reward for their efforts. It is usually held on the first weekend in June, to coincide with Environment Day. With a family and festive character, adults and children of all ages can take part, nobody wins, nobody loses; everyone is a champion and winner.
The distance is 5km for those aged 10 and over. Registration costs 6 euros and up to 9 years old, 5 euros. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the latter.
In parallel to the Tree Run, another event is organised, the March for Health and Integration, which costs only 3 euros to register. This year the proceeds have gone to the “Association Run for Alba, against nemaline myopia”.
CAREERS IN SEPTEMBER
Madrid Corre por Madrid - 21st September 2025
The streets of Madrid host this running festival that is committed to healthy living and athletics.
10 km from Paseo de la Castellana to Parque del Oeste. Hispanidad Special Edition with 10,000 bibs.
Behind this initiative is the Community of Madrid and the MAPOMA Sports Association who want to transmit a taste for the practice of this sport in the streets and neighbourhoods of the city. This year they want to promote teamwork and that is why they have created a team competition. They have to be formed by 5 people and for the classification will be taken into account the sum of the times made by the 5 participants. Don't forget that the registration period is already open and that the race will be held on 23 September.Madrid Runs for Madrid is waiting for you!
CAREERS IN OCTOBER
Down Madrid Race - 5 October 2025
Inclusive event in the Juan Carlos I Park with distances of 10 km, 5 km and 2.5 km for families.
This solidarity race will be held on 5 October to support the integration of people with Down's Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. There are three distances: a 10 km race, a 5 km race and a third, non-competitive 2.5 km race for adults and children.
Sport, leisure and integration come together this autumn in the 7th edition of the event, which each year seeks more support and more participants.
Science Run - 19 October 2025
44th edition, 10 km start/finish at the CSIC headquarters (Calle Serrano 117).
This race reaches its 44th edition on 19 October. Organised by the Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, it has its origins in an athletic competition of the Residencia de Estudiantes of the CSIC, in 1925 no less. Many years later, the same institution decided to organise again a 10 km long sporting event, in which anyone of legal age can participate. The Science Run starts from Calle Serrano, the headquarters of the CSIC.
Run for the Child Run - 19 October 2025
For 15 years the Niño Jesús University Children's Hospital has been organising this charity race to raise funds for biomedical research at this centre. It is a family event where everyone can run, from families with babies, children and teenagers, adults and elderly people, whether they are expert athletes or not. The important thing is to participate by donating your bib number to the Foundation of this children's hospital. There are various types of races:
- 10 km race, from 16 years old.
- 4km race, for all ages.
- 2km family race, designed for children to participate.
Sign up because you can already register: next 19th October with departures from 8:30 in the morning until 11:30. Departure at Avenida Menéndez Pelayo nº 77.
CAREERS IN NOVEMBER
Popular Half Marathon of Moratalaz - 9 November 2025
One of the oldest races in Madrid is held in this Madrid neighbourhood. This year, the Moratalaz Athletic Association is organising its forty-first edition on 9 November.
It is not as popular as the Madrid half marathon, but every year it attracts thousands of athletes who run the 21.097km through the main streets of this district of Madrid. In addition, in recent years, for those who do not dare to run this distance, there is a 10km run and a mini 2.5km run for the youngest runners.
José Cano Trophy - 30 November 2025
The mythical 10 km of Canillejas celebrates its 45th edition. Start at 11:00 h and children's races from 09:30 h.
If we talk about popular races, we cannot forget the one that has been held in the neighbourhoods of San Blas and Canillejas for 45 years now. The Agrupación Deportiva CAPOCA, headed by José Cano, is in charge of getting everything ready for thousands of runners to enjoy its 10 km distance. Last year more than 5,000 people participated. In addition, more than 1,000 bibs were purchased so that children could run their 1,000 metre race.
It is such a traditional and relevant race that renowned athletes such as Fabián Roncero, Arturo Casado, Antonio Serrano and José Manuel Abascal have participated in it.
Ponle Freno...por la Seguridad Vial Race - 16 November 2025
100 % race in solidarity for road safety. 5 km and 10 km starting at 09:00 h in Plaza de Colón. Promotional price €10 until 2 July.
This race is entirely destined to raise funds for the victims of traffic accidents. This year's race is its 10th edition and, as always, the starting signal will be given at 9am in Plaza de Colón.
Runners have two circuits to choose from, of 5 and 10 km distance. The bibs cost 10 euros and there are also 0 bibs on sale at the same price.
CAREERS IN DECEMBER
San Silvestre Vallecana Popular and International - 31 December 2025
60th anniversary of the race. 40.000 bibs for the most festive 10 km of the year: popular 17:30 h, international 20:00 h.
And so we come to the most emblematic and popular race in Madrid and Spain. It has been held every 31st December since 1964. It is a 10 km course and there are two different competitions: the popular from 16 years of age and the professional. The popular race starts earlier, around 17.30 and leaves from Concha Espina Street. The international race starts at 20.00h and is run by top athletes who finish the course at the Vallecas stadium. The rest run alongside the pitch.
It is the great festival of popular running. Every year more and more participants join in. The organisers put 40,000 race bibs on sale, but they sell out almost immediately. So many of those who don't want to miss out on the race take to the streets without a race bib. So the numbers are difficult to calculate, but in the last edition more than 45,000 people ran. Many choose to dress up in fancy dress to give it a more festive and Christmasy touch. Undoubtedly the best way to say goodbye to the year: doing sport.
