Whether you’re absolutely passionate about your sport or a Sunday cyclist, check out these events. Participate, dream of participating, get out and cheer or take note to avoid entirely due to possible traffic issues. Your choice!
Christmas runs!
Runners: Santa Claus, 10.000 people, mostly dressed as Santa and the rest as elves. Sponsered by El Corte Inglés. Around 5 kilometers. Where and when: starting near the Prado Museum, run to Glorieta Emilio Castelar, return to starting point. December 9, 9am. More information at http://www.lacarreradepapanoel.com/
Runners: San Silvestre Vallecana. Run out of the old year and into the new year! Classic Madrid event, since 1964! Ten kilometers, mostly downhill. Where and when: starts near Santiago Bernabeu soccer stadium, ends near Vallecas soccer stadium. December 31, for-everyone event starts 5.30pm, elite event 8pm. More info and signup at https://www.sansilvestrevallecana.com/
Are you a serious or semi-serious runner? Keep an eye on http://www.corricolari.eu/ or http://www.corricolari.es/inscripciones/index2.html for list of events in the near future. They organize or promote lots of races in Madrid and have info on other races in Spain. AND….. they organize the 100 kilometers in 24 hours event in June, a walking or running event that is now a well-loved (or hated) classic for walkers and runners in Madrid.
These events usually happen every year. Dates may vary, but this tip sheet can start you dreaming or planning or training….
Running
Asics Media Marathon. Late March
Madrid Marathon and Half-Marathon. End of April
Casa de Campo run. Mid-May
Madrid Alpine Marathon.
Avila Half-Marathon. October
Vertical Race, running up and down one of the big hotels in Madrid (usually the Eurobuilding, but not always), late november, organized by Corricolari
San Silvestre Vallecano (Madrid). 10 kilometer run on….. December 31st! It’s a run, and a party or pre-party.
Good resource for runners: http://www.corricolari.eu/#
Walking
100 kilometros en 24 horas. June. Yes, really! 12 noon on a Satuday to 12 noon on a Sunday. It can be done, and you don’t have to be an elite athletes – they run the thing. If you are doubtful: you can do the entire distance as a relay, do “only” 33 kilometers, or bike the entire 100 kms. In north part of Madrid province.
Biking
Tweed Ride: Madrid and maybe other places. Mid May – more info at http://tweedridemadrid.com/
Vuelta Ciclista España. September. Professional bike ride all around the country, like the Tour de France, sometimes with the same ciclistas. Route is sometimes more challenging than French route, great to watch on TV, or find the route and go see it in person. Frequently ends in Madrid.
Madrid Bike Day: Usually early October, usually 20 kilometer loop from the Retiro park.