This Saturday Benidorm is hosting a fantastic athletics festival with elite participation
Benidorm welcomed thousands of runners to a vibrant weekend of sport and tourism. The event featured a 21-kilometer half marathon and a 10-kilometer course, drawing almost five thousand athletes from around the world. Runners traced the historic streets, the scenic promenade, and the bustling skyline, turning the city into a lively arena of motion and energy.
The race was a complete success, with a lively atmosphere that combined athletic effort and tourism. Large crowds filled the streets to encourage every participant, creating a memorable scene of support and celebration for the sport and its enthusiasts.
The streets of Benidorm were alive with competitors as the day progressed, showcasing the city’s capacity to host international sporting events while delivering a festive experience for spectators and locals alike.
The 10K event saw the fastest finishers emerge first. Among them, a standout performance by a Spanish distance specialist from Zaragoza demonstrated the depth of talent in the field, finishing with a near-record time. The challenge remained tight, with the runner who placed second narrowly trailing by only a few seconds. A traveler from another country also posted a strong time, matching a prior year’s placing, while a Uruguayan athlete completed the podium with a commendable result.
Nearly 4,000 runners will enjoy the sunset at the “Benidorm Half”
The women’s half marathon crowned a new course record as an Argentinian runner crossed the line in 34.02, gaining a commanding lead and finishing with a margin of 38 seconds. The second-place finisher from another region completed the course in 34.40, while the third place went to a holding pattern from the previous year’s champion, crossing in 36.02.
The men’s half marathon was claimed by Cristian Martínez Aláez with a time of 1.08.53, a solid performance that sits below the previous edition’s record by Abdelazi Merzougui Nouredine. The runner-up time was 1.10.52, achieved by a British competitor, followed by a third-place finish at 1.12.09.
The event maintained a strong narrative of perseverance and achievement as the finish line near the sunset gave way to a night-time culmination. The women’s race saw another notable performance from a competitive field, with a strong finish and a clear lead established early on and held throughout the run. The atmosphere remained charged with applause and pride as participants completed their journeys in the fading light.
In the women’s 21-kilometer race, a standout athlete from Albacete emerged as the winner, finishing with a time just over 1:18:58. The field included several remarkable performances as other contenders crossed in strong afters, reflecting a competitive and balanced race. The overall energy of the event was marked by determined athletes and supportive crowds that carried the momentum from late afternoon into the night.
The entire program began in the late afternoon, with the sun dipping toward the horizon and the finish line welcoming tired yet accomplished runners as darkness settled over the city. It was a celebration of endurance, strategy, and community—a fitting finale to a weekend devoted to running and Benidorm’s scenic hospitality.