Races in Spain

Like every country in the world, Spain is discovered 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 their first vacation destination. You have to admit the Catalan city has a few advantages: lively, on the sea, top-notch climate ☀️, an hour from the French border. The mountain areas surrounding Barcelona are magnificent, starting with Montserrat adorned with its namesake abbey... A place and a view not to be missed! Still in Catalonia, the small coastal town of Figueres 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, the country being organized into 17 autonomous communities. Thus, 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. Visiting the Giralda, a former minaret that became part of the cathedral, is therefore symbolically powerful. In southern Spain, along the banks of the famous Guadalquivir, you can discover the charm of Flamenco, a living art to which Andalusians remain deeply attached. Guaranteed emotion. Beware: it’s very, very, very hot there in summer 🥵... Luckily, the streets of Seville, one of Europe’s most visited cities, offer shade. As Spain is a very dry country, if you want more coolness and humidity, you can head back up toward the North of the country and discover Galicia, the Spanish Brittany... On your way back toward France, along the route to Compostela, the Spanish Basque Country is also a great destination... And what about the mountain ranges ⛰... Spain isn’t the home country of Kilian Jornet for nothing! The territory sits at an average altitude of 600 meters, making it one of the most mountainous countries in Europe, along with Switzerland🇨🇭 and Austria 🇦🇹. The Sierra Nevada (Andalusia) is the best-known Spanish massif. Its highest peak, Mulhacén, stands at 3,482 meters. The highest summit of 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! The broad avenues of Barcelona 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 good choice in any case 👍🏼! 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 about hiking fans as much as trail runners, who can try to rack up UTMB points there... We also really want to mention the 15 km Donostia - San Sebastián, a race in San Sebastian in the Basque Country that thinks of everyone: no fewer than 3 para-sport events are planned. Kudos to them. In any case, the list below should delight you... Do it like Kilian.

And what if running isn’t your only thing? Good news: Spain is also a fabulous playground for two-wheel and multisport enthusiasts 🚴. The legendary climbs of the Vuelta and the mild year-round climate make it a top destination for sportive cycling events: the Gran Fondo Pirineus near Camprodon, or the Prueba Vitoria Gran Fondo and its 207 km in the Basque Country, are calling your name. Fans of white roads and adventure will also find what they’re looking for on the gravel side, a discipline booming on Iberian tracks 🌲. And for those who like to chain together swimming, cycling and running, the calendar of triathlons in Spain is full of gems, like the Donostia San Sebastián Triathlon, facing the sea in one of the country’s most beautiful bays 🌊. Plenty of ways to mix it up without ever leaving the Spanish sun!