Barcelona Half Marathon 2026 Set to Shatter Records with 36,000 Runners
Barcelona is about to turn into a sea of runners and the numbers this year are unlike anything the city has seen before.
This Sunday, the 36th edition of the Barcelona Half Marathon will hit the streets with a record-breaking 36,000 participants. That is six thousand more than last year and nearly twenty times the registrations from a decade ago. The race sold out months in advance, a clear sign that this event has grown far beyond a local competition. It is now one of Europe’s premier half marathons, carrying Gold Label status from World Athletics and drawing elite athletes and amateurs from around the globe.
Nearly forty percent of the runners are traveling from outside Catalonia, representing more than ninety countries. That international presence matters. It turns this race into a global showcase for Barcelona, boosting tourism, filling hotels and energizing the local economy. And the demographics tell another story. Forty percent of the field are women and more than half are under the age of 35. This is a young, diverse and increasingly inclusive running community.
The course itself is built for speed. It starts and finishes near Ciutadella Park, weaving through some of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks, including the Arc de Triomf, the Columbus Monument and Plaça Espanya, before stretching along the seafront. Last year, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo delivered a stunning 56 minutes and 42 seconds on this course, one of the fastest half marathon times ever recorded. It was not officially ratified as a world record, but it cemented Barcelona’s reputation as one of the quickest courses in the world.
And he is back. Kiplimo headlines a field stacked with elite talent. Hagos Gebrhiwet, one of the few men in history to run under 58 minutes, will compete. Australia’s Jack Rayner is chasing a national record. In the women’s race, American standouts Weini Kelati and Taylor Roe are targeting the U.S. record, while local favorite Marta Galimany arrives in peak form, hoping to set a personal best on home soil.
But this event is not only about podium finishes. More than 300,000 spectators lined the streets last year, transforming the race into a citywide celebration. Roads will close, public transport will adjust and Barcelona will move to the rhythm of thousands of pounding footsteps.
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This is more than a race. It is a statement about the city’s global identity, its love of sport and its ability to host world-class events at scale.
Stay with us for full coverage, race results and breaking updates as Barcelona runs into the record books.
Barcelona Half Marathon 2026 Breaks Records with 36,000 Runners
Barcelona is about to turn into a sea of runners and the numbers this year are unlike anything the city has seen before.
This Sunday, the 36th edition of the Barcelona Half Marathon will hit the streets with a record-breaking 36,000 participants. That is six thousand more than last year and registrations were completely sold out months ago. In just a decade, participation has multiplied dramatically and city officials say the growth reflects Barcelona’s rising status as one of Europe’s true running capitals.
Nearly 40 percent of the runners are coming from outside Catalonia, representing more than 90 countries. That makes this not just a local race, but a global sporting event. Forty percent of participants are women and more than half are under the age of 35. So this is not only about elite athletes. It is about a new generation embracing distance running in record numbers.
The course will start and finish near Ciutadella Park, weaving past some of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks, including the Arc de Triomf, the Columbus Monument and Plaça Espanya, before stretching along the seafront. It is widely considered one of the fastest half marathon routes in the world.
And that reputation is attracting major names. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo returns after delivering a stunning 56 minute 42 second run here last year, one of the fastest times ever recorded over the distance. He will face strong competition from elite international athletes chasing national records and personal bests. In the women’s race, American contenders are aiming to rewrite their country’s record books, while Spain’s own Marta Galimany hopes to deliver a career-defining performance on home soil.
But this event is about more than times and medals. Last year, more than 300,000 spectators lined the streets. Entire neighborhoods transformed into cheering zones. Restaurants, hotels and local businesses benefited from the influx of visitors. Traffic disruptions are expected across major avenues and public transport will be adjusted, showing just how deeply this race reshapes the city for a full weekend.
Barcelona is not just hosting a race. It is hosting a global showcase of athletic ambition, tourism power and urban identity.
Stay with us for continuing coverage as the runners take to the streets and records come under threat once again.
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