Barcelona is known to be a beautiful city, but did you know that it is also an easy city to run? We have long, wide avenues, with a major part of the city being flat. The scenic streets running parallel to the seaside are a good example. However, if the flat isn’t your thing, you can also experience some uphill action if you choose the streets going from the sea to the mountain. Our running tours are designed to showcase the best that the city has to offer. One thing our tour guests often ask about is the best running races in the city. It’s not an easy question to answer.
Given the varied landscape, race organizers can mix in a bit of everything to give some “personality” to their races. Some of them run through the city centre, others at the seaside, some of them on the hills… And there is all kind of distances to choose! I would dare say that there isn’t a weekend going by in which no runs are held!
Women, for your info: from 1954 to 1962 it was forbidden by Spanish law for women to run. Fortunately, things change and now you can see lots of female runners in all the races, no matter how long they are.
If I had to choose the ten (ok, let’s say eleven) best running races in Barcelona, the following would be the ones for me:
Main Barcelona Running Races
Cursa de El Corte Inglés
Date: TBA
The most popular running race in Barcelona! This 2019 we ran its 41st edition. Everybody takes part in it, running or walking, alone or with friends. Many of the runners in Barcelona had their first taste of running here. And it’s free! A bit more than 10k, departing from the very city centre and running up to the Olympic Stadium. One of the few runs where you can step into it!
Half Marathon / Mitja Marató de Barcelona
Date: 19 February 2023
19.000 ran in the last edition, where we had some records, too!
Marathon/ Marató de Barcelona
Date: 19 March 2023
A very well-organized marathon, that runs along really beautiful places. I had the chance to pass by La Sagrada Familia when the bells were ringing, and that was amazing!!!! To the many runners, add all the supporters that make the marathon to a big city party. And the previous day, you can enjoy the Breakfast run and a Pasta Party.
Smaller Races
Cursa Moritz Sant Antoni
Date: 22 January 2023
A traditional running race in Barcelona, in 2023 the run will reach its 44th edition. With a quite “speedy” track, people try to hit personal bests here, even if it is only a couple of weeks after all the Christmas eating!!!
Jean Bouin
Date: TBA
This race seems to be the oldest popular running race in Spain! This year we will run the 98th edition, so it has quite a lot of history… The first race was held in 1920 and was only for men. It wasn’t until 1947 that women could participate, but they could run only a 500 meters race! Nowadays, this race offers 4 different racing options: 5k, 10k, scholarships, and federated athletes.
Cursa de Bombers
Date: 22 October 2023
“Bombers” are the firemen. Some 20 years ago, they organized this run for the first time. You will recognize them running wearing all their equipment!!!! Amazing! The track is very nice, as it goes through the city center.
Cursa del Nassos
Date: 31 December 2023
This very popular run celebrates the last day of the year. Very cheap fee, as the City Hall promotes the run.
Mou-te per l’Esclerosi Múltiple –Montmeló
Date: 7 May 2023 (Date not confirmed)
A run that gives the 100% of the fees to the Multiple Sclerosis Association and uses the Montmeló F1 facilities! With lots of activities for all the family, dancing, food trucks… you can spend a nice Sunday morning.
Cursa Companys
Date: 30 September 2023
This run is different because it starts and finishes at the Olympic Stadium and runs on Monjuich hill (it is not a trail; it is all roads). It pays tribute to the Popular Olympic Games that were to behold in Barcelona and that the Civil War, under a dictator’s regime, stopped.
Salomon Run
Date: 16 April 2023
With this run, Salomon wants to offer “trail running” to everybody. The run is on the Montjuich hill and goes up and down on stairs, paths, roads… a bit of everything. The run goes also into the “Poble Espanyol”, a kind of open-air museum that shows the most typical Spain architecture and art.
Cursa de la Dona, now Carrera de la Mujer (Women’s Race)
Date: Various dates (From March through November 2023)
This race is particularly run only for women, all dressed in a pink t-shirt. It is organized to raise donations for fighting breast cancer.
There you have it! The ten best running races in Barcelona. If you are interested in exploring the city further, Check out our guided tours.
Happy running,
Arantxa
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