The capital is already prepared to host the great running festival this Sunday, March 22. The Movistar Madrid Half Marathon and the ProFuturo race will bring together 31,000 runners on Paseo de Recoletos to experience a very special edition. In this way, the Madrid event strengthens its position as one of the most popular half marathons in Europe, consolidating its international character and repeating last year’s formula, with a monumental and central course that runs through the most representative areas of the city.

The 21.097‑kilometer race – a course certified by the RFEA (Royal Spanish Athletics Federation) – totals 28,000 participants, of which 32% are women, representing a 1% increase compared to last year's figures. In addition, 41% of the runners on the start line will come from abroad, with France, the United Kingdom, and Italy being the countries with the highest representation. Of the total number of national runners, 61% are from Madrid, while Catalonia and the Valencian Community are the other two regions bringing the most participants to the event.

This morning, the presentation of the 25th Movistar Madrid Half Marathon and the 10th ProFuturo race was held at Madrid City Hall with the presence of regional authorities, athletes aiming for victory, and representatives from sponsors and organizing entities. The ceremony was hosted by the charismatic runner Chema Martínez, who has worn a bib number on countless occasions.

Magdalena Brier, General Director of ProFuturo, the project that gives its name to the 5K race, stated that “in these 10 years, with the growing popularity of the ProFuturo Race, we see how the commitment of Fundación Telefónica and Fundación ‘la Caixa’ is socially recognized for using technology in the service of education in the most remote and vulnerable corners of the world. Both foundations clearly understand the value of leveraging the opportunities that technology provides to improve teacher training and enhance student learning. In 2025 we reached 3,166 schools in 27 countries across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, directly impacting the training of 252,043 teachers and 786,381 students.”

Meanwhile, Guillermo Rodríguez, Head of Planning & Sharing of Global Marketing at Telefónica, stated that “this event is already part of Madrid’s history. At Movistar, we love sponsoring sport because it promotes values with which we strongly identify, such as effort, perseverance, teamwork, and solidarity. In addition, each year we aim to improve the runner experience, and we will once again host the expo at Distrito Telefónica, where we will welcome all participants, who will be able to enjoy different activities.”

Next, a gold bib was awarded to the four legendary runners of the event, who for 36 years have faithfully attended their appointment with the asphalt, never missing a single edition since its creation in 1989, when the race was born with a 20 km course. Their names are Lucas Alonso, Alfredo Calderón, Juan Pedro García, and Juan Carlos Muñoz, who will also be honored with bib numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 in this 25th anniversary of the race.

Representatives of Madrid’s institutions also attended the ceremony held in the auditorium of Madrid City Hall. Alberto Tomé, General Director of Sports of the Community of Madrid, commented that “reaching 25 years shows that this half marathon is a consolidated race, with tradition and, above all, with great energy. Behind this event there is excellent organization that has also greatly contributed to athletics in Madrid. Without a doubt, Madrid’s urban landscape is among the most attractive in the world, which explains the 41% of international athletes who have come to the city for the race.”

Meanwhile, Sonia Cea Quintana, Deputy Councillor for Sports of Madrid City Hall, pointed out that “the Movistar Madrid Half Marathon understands the city’s idiosyncrasy perfectly. This event is essential for Madrid residents because of the sporting legacy it leaves and its strong commitment to future generations, a task in which Agrupación Deportiva Marathon has always done outstanding work. We want Madrid to continue being the city of sport for a long time.”

For his part, Juanma Agejas, Manager of Agrupación Deportiva Marathon, the main organizing entity of the event, highlighted the significant economic impact that the race has on the city of Madrid: “There is no doubt that the Movistar Madrid Half Marathon is an economic driver for the capital. The total economic impact of the event amounts to €29,968,600, figures that boost strategic sectors of the city such as hospitality, dining, and local commerce, as well as encouraging healthy lifestyle habits among the population.”

A historic and monumental course

The Movistar Madrid Half Marathon renewed its course in 2025 with a new, much more central and monumental circuit, a route that was very well received by runners. Thus, this year the event repeats the formula and will once again offer 21.097 kilometers of true excellence, passing through the most iconic places in the city. The start and finish will be located on Paseo de Recoletos, in front of the National Library.

Among the most iconic points of the circuit are the section near the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the turn at Plaza de Castilla under the imposing KIO Towers, the essential passage by Puerta de Alcalá – the city’s most featured monument throughout the history of the half marathon – the stretch along Gran Vía to connect with Puerta del Sol via Montera Street, the run through San Jerónimo, and the passage by the Congress of Deputies and the fountains of Neptune and Cibeles in the final segment. Undoubtedly, the most beautiful course in the history of the Movistar Madrid Half Marathon and one of the great highlights of this 25th anniversary, which sold out its bib quota several weeks before the event.

For its part, the ProFuturo race will start at 8:45 a.m., also from Paseo de Recoletos, tracing a 5‑kilometer route through several of Madrid’s busiest and most famous streets: Génova, Sagasta, San Bernardo, Gran Vía, Montera, San Jerónimo, and Paseo del Prado. Nearly 3,000 participants will enjoy this beautiful race, which also celebrates its tenth anniversary as part of the event’s program.

Live on Movistar Plus

One more year Movistar Plus will broadcast live and in full the Movistar Madrid Half Marathon, coverage that will feature a great deployment of resources to bring all the excitement of the race to the fans' screens.