Madrid lives today one of its great popular running mornings with the North vs South 2026 Race. The test, a 10K approved by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, starts at 8:30 AM from Mateo Inurria street, next to Plaza de Castilla, and ends on Menéndez Pelayo avenue, in the Retiro area.
This year's edition brings together 8,000 runners and returns to its most recognizable format: each participant competes for one of the two teams, North or South, in a race designed to run fast and aim for a personal best before summer.
The event also arrives during a period of intense heat in Madrid. Although the start is early in the morning, the forecast points to a very hot Sunday, with a warning for high temperatures during the afternoon.
Schedule of the North vs South Madrid 2026 Race today
The North vs South Madrid 2026 Race is held today, Sunday, June 21.
The start is scheduled for 8:30 AM from Mateo Inurria street, in the Plaza de Castilla area. The municipal forecast places the development of the test between 8:30 AM and 10:15 AM.
The main traffic diversions begin around 8:00 AM and will be lifted progressively as the race progresses and Municipal Police and Mobility Agents allow.
Where the race starts and ends
- The start is located on Mateo Inurria street, next to Plaza de Castilla.
- The finish line is located on Menéndez Pelayo avenue, next to Retiro.
The route crosses some of the most recognizable avenues of Madrid: Paseo de la Habana, Plaza de Perú, Príncipe de Vergara, Serrano, Puerta de Alcalá, O’Donnell, and Menéndez Pelayo.
The race has a favorable and fast first part, although the final stretch requires managing energy after turning at Puerta de Alcalá towards the Menéndez Pelayo area.
Route of the North vs South Race
The official course is 10 homologated kilometers and is designed for fast running.
The race starts from Mateo Inurria and proceeds along General López Pozas, Fray Bernardino Sahagún, Paseo de la Habana, Pío XII, Plaza de Perú, Príncipe de Vergara, Serrano, Plaza de la Independencia, Alcalá, O’Donnell, and Menéndez Pelayo avenue.
The passage through Puerta de Alcalá is one of the most iconic points of the route. From there, the race heads towards its final stretch towards Retiro.
Results and classification of the North vs South 2026 Race
The official results and classification of the Madrid North vs South Race 2026 will be published after the runners reach the finish line and the times are validated.
Early this Sunday, the classification for the 2026 edition is still listed as pending on the results portals. The organization usually enables searches by bib number or last name once the event has concluded.
The classification is especially relevant in this race because it's not just the individual result that counts. It also determines which team wins the duel between North and South based on the average net time of its participants.
Who won in 2025
- In the 2025 edition, Alejandro Jiménez Vicente led the men's classification for the North team with a time of 29:06.
- In the South team, Nicolás Cuestas was the fastest with 30:06.
- In the women's category, Katherine Tisalema Puruncaja headed the North team with 32:48, while Laura Martínez Cabañas led the South team with 34:51.
These records explain why the North vs South is considered one of the fastest popular races in Madrid.
Streets closed today due to the North vs South Race
The Madrid City Council anticipates traffic closures from approximately 8:00 AM on the roads of the course.
The main streets affected are Mateo Inurria, General López Pozas, Fray Bernardino Sahagún, Paseo de la Habana, Pío XII, Plaza de Perú, Príncipe de Vergara, Serrano, Plaza de la Independencia, Alcalá, O’Donnell, and Avenida de Menéndez Pelayo.
The closures will not be in effect for the entire duration at all points. Reopening will be progressive as the runners pass.
Areas with the most impact on mobility
The most affected districts are Chamartín, Salamanca, and Retiro.
- In the start area, the impact is concentrated in Plaza de Castilla, Mateo Inurria, and Paseo de la Habana.
- In the central section, the main disruptions occur on Príncipe de Vergara, Serrano, and Plaza de la Independencia.
- At the finish line, the most sensitive point is Menéndez Pelayo, where setup and dismantling incidents may extend beyond the end of the race.
Closures for setup and dismantling
In addition to the course closures, there have been incidents since early morning due to the setup of the start and finish lines.
On Avenida de Menéndez Pelayo, disruptions are expected from 6:15 AM to 2:00 PM.
On Calle Mateo Inurria, between Plaza de Castilla and General López Pozas, incidents are expected from 6:15 AM to 11:00 AM.
This means that traffic may remain conditioned in the finish area even after the race ends.
EMT, taxis, BiciMAD and parking lots
The race affects numerous EMT lines during the morning. Among the lines with modifications are 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28, 29, 40, 43, 51, 52, 53, 61, 63, 66, 70, 74, 87, 107, 120, 129, 146, 150, 152, 174, 203, E1, SE704, C1 and C2.
Municipal parking lots in República Dominicana and Serrano, several taxi stands, and BiciMAD stations located in Plaza de Perú, General López Pozas, Parque de Berlín, Serrano, Plaza de la Independencia, and Menéndez Pelayo are also affected.
The municipal recommendation is to use public transport and, if private vehicle is needed for long journeys, opt for routes via M-30 and M-40.
How to get to the start and return from the finish
To get to the start, the most direct option is Metro Plaza de Castilla, with lines 1 and 9, in addition to Cercanías in Chamartín.
Metro line 10 is affected by works between Cuzco and Nuevos Ministerios, so it is advisable to check the route before leaving.
To return from the finish, the closest stations are Menéndez Pelayo, Conde de Casal, and Sainz de Baranda. Atocha also serves as a useful connection via Cercanías.
Heat in Madrid during the race
The Carrera Norte vs Sur coincides with a very hot day in Madrid. During the race period, temperatures are more bearable than at midday, but the atmosphere will rise rapidly from the morning.
The forecast points to highs close to 39 degrees and a warning for high temperatures during the afternoon in the Metropolitan and Henares area.
For runners, the key is not to be overconfident due to the start time. It is advisable to arrive hydrated, not to push yourself if dizziness or an abnormal feeling of fatigue occurs, and to take advantage of the aid stations at kilometer 5 and the finish line.
Today's key
For runners, the focus is on the 10K, the North vs South duel, and the final standings. For residents and drivers, the priority is to avoid the axis of Plaza de Castilla, Paseo de la Habana, Serrano, Alcalá, O’Donnell, and Menéndez Pelayo during the morning.
The event will end before the central part of the day, but the heat and dismantling disruptions will keep attention on Madrid for several more hours.