Movistar Madrid Half Marathon

Race context for 2027

The 26th Movistar Madrid Half Marathon is scheduled for April 4, 2027, with a 9:15 a.m. start on Paseo de Recoletos. The official regulations confirm a certified 21.097-kilometre course, a three-hour limit, and a maximum field of 30,000 runners.

Course overview

The route starts and finishes in front of the National Library on Paseo de Recoletos. It first travels north along Paseo de la Castellana to Plaza de Castilla, loops back through eastern Madrid, and then enters the historic center before returning by Cibeles to Recoletos.

Opening section: Recoletos to Plaza de Castilla

The opening stretch follows Paseo de la Castellana through Plaza de Emilio Castelar and Gregorio Maranon before reaching Plaza de Castilla. The organizer's 2026 recap placed the end of this northbound section near five kilometres, before the route eased into the return through Bravo Murillo.

Middle section: Bravo Murillo to Doctor Esquerdo

After Plaza de Castilla, runners take Bravo Murillo, cross Cuatro Caminos, and continue through Raimundo Fernandez Villaverde and Joaquin Costa. The route then uses Francisco Silvela, the Avenida de America tunnel, Manuel Becerra, and Doctor Esquerdo. Settle back into rhythm after the early northbound work.

Later section: Alcala and the Retiro edge

The course reaches Calle de Alcala and circles Puerta de Alcala before turning through Serrano, Juan Bravo, Eduardo Dato, and Almagro. The 2026 organizer recap placed Puerta de Alcala around kilometre 14, making this a sensible point to check posture and decide whether the planned effort remains sustainable.

Final section: Gran Via, Sol, and Cibeles

The closing route passes Bilbao, Gran Via, Montera, Puerta del Sol, Carrera de San Jeronimo, Neptuno, Paseo del Prado, and Cibeles. The finish returns to Paseo de Recoletos. This landmark-heavy finish has many turns, so late pacing needs control as much as speed.

Elevation and terrain

The official course page publishes an elevation profile but does not state a total gain in its page text. The organizer's 2026 recap describes the route easing after the first five kilometres and descending through Bravo Murillo and Joaquin Costa. Run the early northbound section by effort, not by an aggressive split.

Aid stations and race support

The 2027 regulations place liquid aid stations at approximately kilometres 5, 10, and 15, with liquid and solid refreshments at the finish. Official pacers cover net finish targets from 1:20 through 2:10. Bag check is planned for Plaza de Colon from 8:00 a.m.

Practical pacing strategy

Keep the first trip up Castellana controlled, even if the wide road encourages a quick start. Use the return toward central Madrid to find goal rhythm. Check effort near Puerta de Alcala, then wait until the final central loop before pressing. The late turns make smooth acceleration more useful than abrupt surges.

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