Santa Pola will welcome runners from around the world on Sunday 18 January. The Half Marathon has attracted participants from 43 countries, making this the most international edition to date. With 11% of runners travelling from abroad, the event continues to grow beyond national borders.
This year also marks the debut of a new 10k race, which will start at 08:30. Demand quickly exceeded expectations. Organisers closed registration after the waiting list reached 1,700 runners. Women make up 48% of the entrants.
Santa Pola Half Marathon: Introducing the 10k
Roque Alemañ, president of the Athletics Club, explained the decision to add the new race. He said the club wanted to protect the quality of the half marathon as participation increased.
Santa Pola’s road network cannot support unlimited numbers. For that reason, organisers capped the half marathon at 7,000 runners. This limit allows athletes to enjoy the course without overcrowding.
Alemañ added that the new 10k race opens the event to more runners and visitors while keeping the half marathon at a manageable size.
Strong participation across both races
Around 6,300 runners have registered for the half marathon, a figure similar to last year. The 10k has already reached its maximum capacity of 1,700 participants.
Together, both races will bring close to 8,000 runners onto the streets of Santa Pola. This turnout confirms the event as the second most important road race in the Valencian Community, surpassed only by Valencia.
Truly international field
International participation remains strongest among runners from:
- United Kingdom (186)
- Norway (125)
- France (83)
- Sweden (77)
- Poland (56)
- Germany (40)
Elite athletes also add to the global appeal. The half marathon holds the World Athletics label and has drawn top professionals. Among them is a Kenyan runner capable of finishing in 58 minutes, which could threaten the course record of 59:09. Two other elite runners are also expected to break the one-hour mark.
Local representation
Local participation remains equally impressive. The highest numbers come from:
- Alicante (2,980)
- Murcia (688)
- Valencia (535)
- Albacete (422)
- Madrid (380)
Santa Pola itself contributes 608 runners to the half marathon and 207 to the 10k.
Gender balance across the races
The two races show different gender profiles. The half marathon still attracts a higher proportion of men, with 75% male and 25% female participants.
The 10k tells a different story. Men account for 52%, while women represent 48%, bringing the race close to full gender parity.
Expo, mini marathon and special displays
The runners’ expo opens on Friday at 17:00 and continues on Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00. The event will take place in the tent next to the castle, where runners can collect their numbers and explore specialised stands.
On Saturday at 17:00, the Mini Marathon will welcome more than 1,000 children, matching last year’s participation.
On race day, the PAPEA paratrooper brigade will deliver a demonstration at 10:00, shortly before the races begin.
Santa Pola Half Marathon: Benefitting the town
Mayor Loreto Serrano highlighted the wider impact of the event. She described it as a celebration of life, joy, camaraderie, tourism, sport, and gastronomy. She also stressed that the presence of 8,000 runners and their families strengthens the local economy.
Ramón Alonso, representing Coca-Cola, confirmed the company’s commitment. He stated that the brand will supply around 60,000 drinks and provide additional staff. He also emphasised that Santa Pola deserves full support for hosting one of the province’s flagship sporting events.
