Madrid celebrates this Sunday, April 26, one of its great sporting events of the year. The Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid 2026, popularly known as the Madrid Marathon 2026, returns to the streets of the capital with three distances -10K, half marathon, and marathon- and an estimate of 47,000 runners from all over the world. The race reaches its 48th edition and maintains its character as a great urban festival, with more than 30 entertainment points spread throughout the course.
The race does not only interest runners. It also affects neighbors, drivers, visitors, public transport users, and businesses in a large part of the center and the north-south axis of the city. The start will be located on Paseo de la Castellana, next to Plaza de San Juan de la Cruz, and the finish line on Paseo de Recoletos, between Cibeles and Colón.
Madrid Marathon 2026 Route: From Castellana to Recoletos through the heart of the city
The route of the Madrid Marathon 2026 is completely urban and is approved by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation.
In the case of the queen distance, the circuit covers the classic 42.195 kilometers and passes through some of the most recognizable points of the capital:
Plaza de Castilla, Santiago Bernabéu, Cuatro Caminos, Salamanca, Gran Vía, Callao, Puerta del Sol, Palacio Real, Casa de Campo, Atocha, Paseo del Prado, Cibeles and Recoletos.
The race starts on Madrid's main financial artery, Castellana, and from there it draws a route that first looks north and then descends towards the center. That first section is important for the runners: there is space, atmosphere, and a lot of starting energy, but also areas where it is advisable not to overspend. Madrid is not a flat marathon and the course requires running with your head, especially for those tackling the 42 kilometers.
From Castellana, the circuit advances through areas such as Concha Espina, Padre Damián, Alberto Alcocer, Plaza de Castilla, Bravo Murillo, Cuatro Caminos, Raimundo Fernández Villaverde, Joaquín Costa, Francisco Silvela, Doctor Esquerdo, O’Donnell, Menéndez Pelayo, Alcalá, Goya, Príncipe de Vergara, Velázquez, Serrano, Almagro, Alonso Martínez, Sagasta, Gran Vía, Callao, Preciados, Puerta del Sol, Carrera de San Jerónimo, Mayor, Bailén, Plaza de España, Princesa y Camoens, according to the municipal mobility plan.
The most touristy stretch: Gran Vía, Sol, Royal Palace, and Plaza de España
One of the great attractions of the route arrives when the race enters the most monumental part of Madrid. After crossing areas of Chamberí and Salamanca, the runners approach the historic center via Gran Vía, Callao, Preciados, and Puerta del Sol. It is the most recognizable stretch for many spectators and one of the points with the most atmosphere of the day.
From there, the route continues towards Carrera de San Jerónimo, Calle Mayor, Bailén, the surroundings of the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral and Plaza de España. For the city, it is the most photogenic part; for the runners, an emotionally powerful area, because the course crosses some of the places where the most public usually gathers.
The half marathon and the marathon share part of that urban skeleton, although the full marathon then extends to the west and south of the city before returning to the Prado-Recoletos axis. The organization publishes differentiated maps for the three distances, with specific routes for 10K, 21K, and 42K.
The full marathon adds Casa de Campo, San Isidro, Arganzuela, Atocha and Prado
The big difference of the 42K marathon is in the second half. After passing through Plaza de España and the surroundings of Parque del Oeste, the route incorporates areas such as Puente de los Franceses, Avenida de Valladolid, Paseo de la Florida, Glorieta de San Vicente, Puente del Rey, Casa de Campo, Avenida de Portugal, Paseo Marqués de Monistrol, Ermita del Santo, Puente de San Isidro, Paseo de los Melancólicos, Virgen del Puerto, Segovia, Ronda de Segovia, Paseo Imperial, Acacias, Embajadores, Ronda de Valencia, Ronda de Atocha, Atocha, Paseo del Prado and Cibeles.
That stretch is decisive. In any marathon, the race truly changes from kilometer 30 onwards; in Madrid, moreover, the profile and length of the course demand good management of effort. The final part towards Atocha, Prado, Cibeles, and Recoletos functions as a symbolic return to the center: after crossing half the city, the runners return to the great monumental axis to face the finish line.
The finish line will be at Paseo de Recoletos, between Cibeles and Colón.
The organization reminds that it is not allowed to enter the finish line accompanied by children, family members or unregistered persons, and that doing so may result in the disqualification of the participant.
Madrid Marathon 2026 Departure Times
The day begins early. The first test to get underway will be the 10K, with departure at 8:00 AM. Afterwards, participants in athletic chairs and handbikes will depart at 8:30 AM. The half marathon and the marathon have the departure of the first wave set for 8:45 AM.
The organization divides runners into different waves to improve safety, avoid crowds, and organize passage through the course and the finish line. This distribution is made based on the times indicated by the participants in the registration form.
The event will end at 4:35 PM, although the cut-off times vary by distance. The 10K has a closing time of 9:40 AM, the half marathon at 1:24 PM, and the marathon at 4:34 PM, according to official information from the organization.
Draws and hares: the reference rhythms for each distance
The starting corrals are one of the keys to organizing a race of this size. In the Madrid Marathon 2026, the pacers will start from the corral corresponding to their race time and will run at net time pace. For runners, this is important: whoever is looking for a specific time should locate their corral well and not improvise at the start.
- In the 42K distance, the planned pacers are: sub3h, 3:15h, 3:30h, 3:45h, 4:00h, 4:15h, 4:30h and 5:00h.
- In the half marathon, the reference times are 1:30h, 1:40h, 1:50h and 2:00h. In the 10K, the pacers will be for 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 minutes.
The practical recommendation is simple: arrive with margin, do not change drawers at the last minute and do not let yourself be dragged by the adrenaline of the first kilometers. The Madrid Marathon punishes early excesses. And today there will be an atmosphere to get carried away too soon.
10K Route: fast start and finish in Recoletos
The 10K will be the first race of the day and starts at 8:00 AM. Its route maintains the urban spirit of the event, passing through areas such as Castellana, Serrano, Joaquín Costa, Almagro, Sagasta, San Bernardo, Callao, Preciados, Sol, Cibeles, and Recoletos, according to the official route map.
It is the shortest distance, but not for that reason the easiest for the organization. By starting before the rest, it marks the real beginning of the city operation: road closures, fencing, volunteers, medical staff, entertainment points, and access control. For many amateur runners, moreover, the 10K is the gateway to one of the most massive races in Spain.
The closing of the 10K is scheduled for 9:40 AM, with water supply at kilometer 5 and at the finish line, in addition to isotonic drink at kilometer 3 and also at the end.
Half Marathon Route: 21 kilometers through the center of Madrid
The half marathon will start at 8:45 AM, along with the marathon, and covers 21.097 kilometers on an approved urban circuit.
The official plan includes stops in areas such as Plaza de Castilla, Santiago Bernabéu, Cuatro Caminos, Francisco Silvela, Príncipe de Vergara, Doctor Esquerdo, O’Donnell, Goya, Marqués de Salamanca, Callao, Puerta del Sol, Carrera de San Jerónimo, Cibeles, and Museo del Prado.
The half marathon functions as a concentrated version of the great race: enough city to cross Madrid from north to center, enough demand so that it is not a walk and enough atmosphere so that the runners live the big race without facing the 42 kilometers.
The maximum duration of the half marathon will be three hours from the start of the last wave.
On the course, there will be water at kilometers 5, 10.5, 16, 20 and the finish line, and isotonic drink at kilometers 5, 11 and the finish line.
Traffic disruptions for the Madrid Marathon 2026
The impact on mobility began before the race. The Madrid City Council anticipates closures starting Saturday due to the setup and dismantling of the start and finish lines. Paseo de Recoletos, in its central lanes in both directions, remains closed from 00:00 on Saturday, April 25th, until 19:00 on Sunday, the 26th.
There are also closures on Paseo de la Castellana, from Colón to Emilio Castelar, from 00:00 on Saturday until 17:00 on Sunday. Another section of Castellana, between Emilio Castelar and San Juan de la Cruz, is affected from 10:00 on Saturday until 12:30 on Sunday. Plaza de Cibeles is affected from 5:30 this Sunday.
Starting at approximately 7:15 AM, road closures are registered on the routes for the 10, 21, and 42 kilometer races. The City Council warns that the schedules are indicative and may be extended or modified according to the needs of the operation and the decisions of law enforcement agents.
Streets affected by the Madrid Marathon 2026 route
The affected streets include a good part of the capital's main arteries- Simply put: this Sunday is not a good day to cross Madrid by car through the center, nor to improvise trips through Castellana, Gran Vía, Sol, Atocha, Prado or Recoletos.
The best strategy is to avoid private vehicles, check alternatives before leaving, and assume that some journeys will be slower than usual.
How to get to the exit of the Madrid Marathon 2026
The organization recommends accessing the exit area by public transport, especially by Metro. The most useful stations are Gregorio Marañón, on lines 7 and 10, and Rubén Darío, on line 5. The exit is located on Paseo de la Castellana, next to Plaza de San Juan de la Cruz.
It is also recommended not to try to park in the areas near the finish line, because the environment will remain affected until the end of the race and due to the subsequent dismantling work. On days like these, arriving "close" by car is usually a worse idea than arriving a bit further away by public transport and walking.
Marathon Madrid 2026 Wardrobe: location and times
Participants in any of the three distances will be able to use the free cloakroom service. It will be located in the finish area, on Paseo de la Castellana, between Hermosilla and Ortega y Gasset streets, and will operate from 7:00 AM this Sunday.
Each distance will have a differentiated and signposted cloakroom. Runners must use the official bag provided by the organization and affix the numbered sticker that matches their bib to it. Suitcases, loose items, or any other type of bag outside the official bag will not be accepted.
The closing times for the cloakroom will be different depending on the distance: 10K at 10:30 AM, 21K at 2:00 PM, and 42K at 5:00 PM. The organization recommends not leaving valuables, as the cloakroom functions as a courtesy service for runners.
Aid stations and services during the race
The race will have water stations, isotonic drinks, and assistance along the route. In the marathon, there will be water at kilometers 5, 10.5, 16, 20, 25, 29, 32, 35.8, 38, 40, and the finish line. In the half marathon, water stations will be at kilometers 5, 10.5, 16, 20, and the finish line. In the 10K, at kilometer 5 and the finish line.
There will also be Powerade at different points depending on the distance and solid refreshments with Canarian bananas at kilometers 23, 29, 38, and the finish line. The organization also informs about portable chemical toilets at the start, finish, and aid stations along the route.