Santa Pola International Half Marathon 2026

Can you smell that good scent? It’s the scent of Spain, the scent of the sea, and especially the scent of the Santa Pola Half Marathon 🌊.

Head to the beautiful region of the Valencian Community for a seaside race on the caliente side 😎, near Alicante. Well, maybe not too caliente... You’ll likely swap your summer shorts for a good pair of leggings: it's about 12°C in Santa Pola in mid-January. That said, for a race, we always brave the elements ☁️. This one will gather about 10,000 runners from around the world 🌍, all ready to stretch their legs after the holiday excesses 🤪. Yes, we see you coming with your good resolutions 😉 (and you're right!).

You have the choice of two distances to satisfy your runner's ego 💪: the half marathon or the 10K for those who prefer to save energy for afternoon tapas 🍤. The course is 90% flat and hugs the sea, so your usual excuses about elevation won't work here 😅! You'll follow the Mediterranean coast, passing in front of the 16th-century castle-fortress, perfect for imagining yourself in a running version of Game of Thrones 🏰. Rumor has it it's the best season to spot Jon Snow ☃️. You'll pass along the Santa Clara beach, the major roads of the center, and the paradisiacal seaside villas. If you're looking for a target, you can always attempt to beat the race record: 21.097 km in 59:09 min. We should warn you, it has been set since 2009 by the famous James Kipsang Kwambai. So it's up to you if you want to activate rocket mode 🚀.

Once your well-earned medal is around your neck 🏅 and you've taken your shower 🚿, Santa Pola will welcome you with open arms for a real vacation 🏝️. This former fishing town 🎣 has retained all its old-world charm: a colorful port, fish markets 🐟, terraces facing the sea to sip a well-deserved sangria 🍷. You can explore the salt marshes and their famous flamingos (who never run, clever little ones 🦩), stroll through the city center or simply enjoy the surrounding beaches. You can always try a swim, but watch out for shivers: at least, there's no need to pay for a cryotherapy session 🥶! As for gastronomy, it's a seafood paradise: arroz con bogavante, arroz a banda or simply garlic shrimp that smell like summer 🦐. And if you want to play the culture-hungry tourist, Alicante and its Santa Bárbara Castle are just 20 minutes away! All in a 100% Mediterranean atmosphere where stress doesn't exist ✨.

So, shall we meet at the starting line? 🏁