The capital showed off its finest attire this Sunday to welcome more than 30,000 runners in the most crowded edition of the Movistar Madrid Half Marathon. It did so true to its principles, brushing the city’s asphalt and tracing a monumental 21.097‑kilometer course (certified by the RFEA) with start and finish on Paseo de Recoletos. It was a morning of top‑level athletics, with weather that cooperated from early on and a collective enthusiasm essential for the occasion. And this Sunday, March 22, the event celebrated its silver anniversary after establishing itself on the calendar over 25 years.

Thus, with more than 36% international participation and runners from the 17 autonomous communities, the Movistar Madrid Half Marathon covered the city’s main arteries. First Paseo de la Castellana, reaching km 5, where the route eases and the descent begins along Bravo Murillo and Joaquín Costa to return to downtown Madrid. Puerta de Alcalá, at kilometer 14, next to Retiro Park, marked the start of the final third of the course, where the most iconic spots follow one another, with a highlight section along Gran Vía, Montera, Puerta del Sol, the Congress of Deputies, Neptuno Square and the Palacio de Cibeles.

In the competitive field, Levy Kibet Chematot showcased his quality and claimed this 25th edition with a time of 1:00:49, finishing one minute ahead of his main rival on this Sunday, fellow Kenyan Shadrack Kipkurui Kenduiywo, 1:01:48. The podium in the men’s category was completed by Ethiopian Berihun Moges Kedebe, 1:02:08, debuting at the distance. The best Spaniard at the finish line was Juan Antonio ‘Chiki’ Pérez —half marathon champion in 2024 and athlete for team Joma— who clocked 1:04:24 to finish in eighth place.

The women’s category brought much more excitement, with a head‑to‑head battle that practically lasted until the final moments. Ludwina Chepngetich, with a time of 1:08:30, prevailed over her compatriot Jedidah Chepkemoi, 1:08:59, thus taking her first victory at the Movistar Madrid Half Marathon. The third step of the podium went to fellow Kenyan Caroline Jebet Korir, with a time of 1:10:28. Among the Spanish runners, Fátima Ouhaddou dominated with authority, finishing fourth overall with a time of 1:13:52.

Esteban Patiño and Antía Castro, winners of the ProFuturo race

Alongside the Movistar Madrid Half Marathon, the ProFuturo race was held, celebrating its tenth anniversary. The route, 5 kilometers long, ran through the main streets of Madrid and, of course, at a blistering pace, as expected for such a short and explosive distance. The victory was also contested until the very end in both categories. The winner among the men was Esteban Patiño, who with a time of 15:29 beat Kike Guerrero, second with 15:35, and Iván Eduardo Castro, third with 15:58. The iconic Madrid athlete Chema Martínez, a regular at the event, finished fifth with a time of 16:43.

In the women’s category the excitement also lasted until the end. Young Antía Castro won with a time of 17:45, eight seconds faster than Inés Herault (17:53), second. The podium was completed by Candela Blázquez with a time of 18:04.