Races in Spain

Like every country in the world, Spain reveals itself little by little, visit after visit. The country is one of the world’s top tourist destinations 🌍! Barcelona still holds a special place in the hearts of French teenagers looking for a first holiday destination. You have to admit the Catalan city has a few advantages: lively, on the sea, top-notch ☀️ weather, and just an hour from the French border. The mountain areas surrounding Barcelona are magnificent, starting with Mont Serrat adorned with its namesake abbey... A place and a view you can’t miss! Still in Catalonia, the small coastal town of Figueras was the stronghold of the eccentric Salvador Dalí, and today is home to his museum. Alongside Antoni Gaudí, who left his mark on Barcelona, the Spanish painter is one of the country’s best-known artistic symbols 🎨. Provincial cultures are very strong in Spain, as the country is organized into 17 autonomous communities. So Seville, Granada, Madrid, or Bilbao are all major cultural hubs, with magnificent historical heritage. In Seville, in Andalusia, Catholics and Muslims shaped the city and its architecture. So visiting the Giralda, a former minaret that became part of the cathedral, is symbolically powerful. In southern Spain, on the banks of the famous Guadalquivir, you can discover the charm of Flamenco, a living art to which Andalusians remain deeply attached. Emotions guaranteed. Be careful: it’s very, very, very hot in summer 🥵... Fortunately, the streets of Seville, one of Europe’s most visited cities, offer shade. Since Spain is a very dry country, if you want more coolness and humidity, you can head north and discover Galicia, the Spanish Brittany... On your way back toward France, along the Camino de Santiago, the Spanish Basque Country is also a great destination... And what about the mountain ranges ⛰... Spain isn’t the birthplace of Kilian Jornet for nothing! The territory sits at an average altitude of 600 meters, making it one of Europe’s most mountainous countries, along with Switzerland🇨🇭 and Austria 🇦🇹. The Sierra Nevada (Andalusia) is Spain’s best-known mountain range. Its highest peak, Mulhacén, rises to 3,482 meters. The highest summit in the Pyrenees is on the Spanish side: Aneto (3,404 meters). And to think that with all that, we haven’t even talked about gastronomy...

So, shall we take a closer look at the race calendar in Spain? Whether you’re a road runner, a trail fan, or a walker, you’re going to find what you’re looking for 😍—and how—in Spain! Barcelona’s grand avenues are just waiting for your strides at the Zurich Marathon Barcelona, unless you opt for the Valencia Marathon or the Madrid Marathon (Rock 'n' Roll Running Series). A great choice either way 👍🏼! We talked a lot about Andalusia above, so we have to mention the Zurich Marathon Seville and the Ultra Trail Al Andalus Ultimate Trail... You won’t regret the trip! In Catalonia, near Lleida in the Pyrenees, the organizers of the Rialp Matxicots have thought of hiking fans as much as trail runners, who can try to pick up UTMB points there... We also really want to mention the 15 km Donostia - San Sebastián, a race held in San Sebastian in the Basque Country that caters to as many people as possible: no fewer than 3 para-sport events are planned. Hats off to them. In any case, the list below should delight you...

Do it the Kilian way.