Marathon Madrid 2026: schedule, route, traffic diversions, and affected streets this Sunday
Madrid once again becomes a city taken over by sneakers this Sunday. The capital celebrates the Madrid Marathon 2026, one of the biggest sporting events on the calendar, with nearly 47,000 runners spread across the 10-kilometer, half-marathon, and marathon races.
The day will also have a direct consequence for thousands of residents and visitors: significant traffic disruptions, mobility restrictions, and alterations in some of the main axes of the center.
The race, organized under the Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid brand, reaches its 48th edition this year and will once again cross some of the most recognizable points in the city.
The start will be located in the vicinity of Paseo de la Castellana and the finish line in Paseo de Recoletos, with a route that will pass through areas such as Plaza de Castilla, Cuatro Caminos, Gran Vía, Puerta del Sol, Palacio Real, Casa de Campo, Atocha, Paseo del Prado and Cibeles.
What time does the Madrid Marathon 2026 start
The Madrid Marathon 2026 is celebrated this Sunday, April 26. The first race to start will be the 10K, which will begin at 8:00 AM. Then it will be the turn of the athletes in wheelchairs and, subsequently, of the two great distances of the day: the half marathon and the full marathon.
According to the organization's information, the main schedules are as follows: the 10K starts at 8:00 AM, while the half marathon and the marathon start at 8:45 AM.
The test will be carried out in waves to organize the participation of the runners and reduce the impact at the start. The finish line will remain operational until early afternoon. The forecast is that the finish line will remain open until 4:35 PM, at which point the sporting day will be considered over.
Madrid Marathon 2026 Route
The route of the Madrid Marathon 2026 once again combines large avenues, monumental areas, and particularly demanding sections. The race will start from the axis of Castellana and advance through some of the capital's great landmarks before flowing into Recoletos.
The route will cross or skirt enclaves such as Plaza de Castilla,
- Plaza de Castilla
- Bravo Murillo
- Cuatro Caminos
- Joaquín Costa
- Francisco Silvela
- O’Donnell
- Menéndez Pelayo
- Alcalá
- Goya
- Príncipe de Vergara
- Serrano
- Alonso Martínez
- Gran Vía, Callao
- Puerta del Sol
- Carrera de San Jerónimo
- calle Mayor
- Bailén
- Plaza de España
- Princesa
- Casa de Campo
- Puente de San Isidro
- Embajadores
- Atocha
- Paseo del Prado
- Cibeles
Traffic disruptions for the Madrid Marathon 2026
Traffic diversions will not be limited to Sunday morning. The Madrid City Council has planned restrictions from Saturday, April 25, due to the setup and dismantling work for the start and finish areas.
The Paseo de Recoletos, in its central lanes in both directions, will be closed from 00:00 on Saturday, April 25th, until 19:00 on Sunday, April 26th.
There will also be 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, will be affected from 10:00 on Saturday until 12:30 on Sunday.
In addition, Plaza de Cibeles will be affected from 5:30 on Sunday, April 26.
Starting at approximately 7:15 AM, street closures will be activated along the routes of the 10, 21, and 42 kilometer races. The City Council warns that schedules may vary depending on the needs of the operation and the decisions of the Municipal Police and Mobility Agents.
Streets affected by the Madrid Marathon 2026
Among the affected routes are some of the main arteries for entering, exiting, and circulating within Madrid. The impact will be especially visible on the Castellana-Recoletos-Prado axis, but also in areas such as Centro, Salamanca, Chamberí, Retiro, Arganzuela, Moncloa-Aravaca, and the surroundings of Casa de Campo.
The practical recommendation is clear: anyone who has to move around the center of Madrid this Sunday should avoid driving, check traffic conditions before leaving, and anticipate longer than usual trips.
How to get around Madrid during the Marathon
The City Council recommends prioritizing public transport during the celebration of the Madrid Marathon 2026. Even so, there will also be occasional alterations in some accesses and services.
One of the relevant points will be the Recoletos station of Cercanías. According to the municipal plan, the north entrances and north exits of the station will remain closed from 00:00 hours on Saturday, April 25, until 21:00 hours on Sunday, April 26, although the south entrance will remain open.
Modifications to EMT bus routes are also expected due to surface closures. On a day like this, the metro and Cercanías will likely be the most stable options for crossing the city, especially for journeys that do not depend directly on the start, finish, or route areas of the runners.
A race with 47,000 runners and more than 30 entertainment points
The Madrid Marathon 2026 will not be just a race. The organization presents it as an urban running festival, with 47,000 participants from all over the world and more than 30 entertainment points spread along the route. The event has three distances - marathon, half marathon, and 10K - to bring together both popular runners and more experienced athletes.
The international dimension will also be important. The organization highlights that the race attracts thousands of foreign runners each year, from more than a hundred countries, which turns the event into a sporting and tourist showcase for Madrid.
What runners and neighbors should take into account
For the runners, the main recommendation is to arrive with time to spare, check the start area thoroughly, and consult their assigned corral. The start of thousands of participants in different waves forces them to organize their times with more advance notice than usual.
For the neighbors, the key point is to anticipate. The restrictions will begin before the runners leave and will extend after they pass through each zone, because the dismantling and progressive reopening are not immediate. Those who live or work in affected areas should count on some streets being closed for several hours.