The Mediterranean city of tall buildings is preparing to welcome around 5,000 athletes onto its streets, gardens and promenades this Saturday afternoon. Notable figures such as Martín Fiz and Toni Abadía will take part in the Benidorm Half, a race with options of 10 and 21 kilometers. The event unfolds as a genuine athletics festival with competitors from 23 countries, including 1,600 from England, gathering for a memorable day on the pavement.
The start is scheduled for 17:30, one hour before street closures begin. Among the many attractions is the chance to enjoy a sunset over Benidorm as the runners push toward the finish. The race will conclude after dark, with additional entertainment laid out for participants along the course.
Nearly 5,000 runners at Benidorm Half: This is what traffic disruptions will be like
A. Vincent
Route
The course winds through the historic center and the promenade, all framed by skyscrapers. The starting point is Plaza de SS MM los Reyes de España, beside the City Hall of Benidorm, and the route passes by several emblematic spots in the city.
The affected streets include the 21K and 10K paths beginning at Comunidad Valenciana Boulevard and heading toward Alfonso Puchades, Jaime I, Ricardo Bayona Boulevard, Mayor Vicente Pérez Devesa and Benissa. The route then continues through La Cala and Villajoyosa Boulevards, Mont Benidorm, heading toward Vicente Llorca Alós and Armada Española, the first line of the Poniente coastal boardwalks.
The route presents a rewarding yet demanding itinerary, promising an afternoon of quality running that is gaining popularity each year. It reached a record with nearly 4,800 participants last edition, and the field continues to grow. In the 10K event, Toni Abadía stands out as a leading contender, having claimed last year’s victory with a time of 29.06 minutes.
elite athletes
Abadía holds the title of current Spanish road distance champion and earned an Olympic medal in the 5000 meters at Rio 2016, along with a bronze at the European Championships in Amsterdam the same year. The Zaragoza native starts as a strong favorite, with David Palacio of Seville a close challenger who finished second last year.
In the Women’s 10K, Cristian Juan of Elche is noted as the winner of the previous edition and the current Spanish 5K road champion. The Benidorm event also welcomes international competitors, including Uruguayan Cristhian Zamora, the record holder in the half marathon and marathon in his country. He has shone in recent 10K events and won the 2023 Granada Half Marathon.
Argentinian María Teresa Tesuri, who has shown strong performances in World Tour Gold events, is confirmed to compete in Benidorm on Saturday. Other notable runners include Belgian Alexandra Tondeur, winner of last year’s 21K and a decorated athlete with gold at the 2019 Long Distance Triathlon World Championships, and Dutch runner Mircella Herzog, a dual Dutch 10K champion with personal bests of 32.47 and 1.13.22 in the half and 10K respectively.
La Roda’s María José Toro, a world champion in Masters categories, is among the contenders in the longer distance. The main favorite for the 21K remains Abdelaziz Merzougui, a Moroccan-origin athlete who captured last year’s title, with others aiming to challenge him as the event grows in stature.
Animation
Throughout the race, Fernando Brotons reported the presence of 13 entertainment points featuring batucadas and DJs. Public encouragement will keep spirits high and push runners forward, with each point spaced just over a kilometer apart.
In line with past editions, the organizers partnered with the Aurrerá Group to offer participants more experiences through Run and Tapas. Local businesses along Santo Domingo Street will provide post-race tapas, pinchos and special menus. Earlier on Saturday, City Hall Square will host a GDance Half Marathon for a pre-race event from 11:00 to 13:00.
Health and safety device
The Benidorm Half will feature a comprehensive medical and health setup, including a mobile intensive care unit, six ambulances, a finish-line field hospital, 14 doctors, ten health workers and 30 Red Cross volunteers. The security operation will involve officials, inspectors and uniformed officers, with additional officers on standby to ensure smooth traffic management. The route is scheduled to reopen to traffic at 20:30.