Madrid dawned this Sunday turned into a giant track. The capital hosts the 48th edition of the Madrid Marathon, one of the major sporting events on the European urban calendar, with nearly 47,000 runners spread across the 10 kilometers, half marathon, and marathon races.
Since the early hours of the morning, thousands of participants have filled the Paseo de la Castellana, the starting point of an event that once again places Madrid on the international map of popular athletics alongside races like London, Berlin, or New York.
The start of the 10K was at 08:00 AM, while the marathon and half marathon kicked off at 08:45 AM, in an atmosphere marked by music, street entertainment, and a large public presence.
Madrid, setting for a monumental race
The route crosses some of the most recognizable places in the city. The runners have passed or will pass through areas such as Plaza de Castilla, Santiago Bernabéu, Cuatro Caminos, Gran Vía, Callao, Puerta del Sol, Palacio Real, Casa de Campo, Atocha, Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, and Recoletos, where the finish line is located.
One of the most striking moments of the day is experienced in the stretch of the historic center, when the race enters Gran Vía, Sol and the surroundings of the Royal Palace, traditionally one of the areas with the most atmosphere and greatest concentration of spectators.
A demanding marathon
Madrid is not a simple test. The urban profile, with climbs, changes of pace, and long avenues, turns the Madrid marathon into a technical race that forces you to pace yourself.
The second half of the route, especially from kilometer 30 onwards, usually makes a difference. The passage through Casa de Campo, San Isidro, Arganzuela and Atocha is usually decisive before the final return towards Prado, Cibeles and Recoletos.
Three races in a single city
In addition to the classic 42.195-kilometer marathon, Madrid simultaneously hosts a half marathon and a 10K, which greatly expands participation and turns the event into a gathering open to both experienced athletes and popular runners.
The organization has deployed more than 30 entertainment points along the route, with live music, batucadas, and support zones to accompany the participants throughout the morning.
Impact on mobility and city
The test affects a good part of Madrid's north-south axis and the urban center, with staggered traffic cuts, changes in bus lines, and temporary restrictions in several areas.
Despite this, the dominant image is once again that of a city devoted to sport, with thousands of people on the sidewalks accompanying family members, friends, and runners who have come from different parts of Spain and abroad.
The arrival at the finish line, in Recoletos
The finish line is once again located on the Paseo de Recoletos, between Cibeles and Colón, one of the most recognizable finishes in Spanish urban athletics. There, the staggered arrival of the first classified runners and thousands of popular runners who will complete the personal challenge of running through Madrid is expected in the coming hours.