When a summer event in Santa Pola brings together sport and camaraderie, this is the moment. The dawn race drew more than 1,500 athletes to the starting line, ready to push through the morning light.
At 7:30 a.m., Marina Molina, the Queen of the Festivities, signaled the start. The race has become a staple of the season, tracing a course of just over six kilometers with uninterrupted sea views along Santiago Bernabéu Street, Varadero Beach, and Santa Pola del Este.
The scene was festive and lively. Although 1,700 runners were registered, 1,505 crossed the finish line, according to organizers. It remains Alicante province’s premier summer test for fitness and crowds alike.
XXVII Carrera del Amanecer de Santa Pola saw registrations capped as attendance neared 1,700, ensuring a record of participation and a big crowd cheering along the route.
J.A. Galvan
Winners
The overall champion was Francisco Macia Garcia, finishing in 19 minutes 32 seconds. Santi Pedro Miralles trailed closely in 19 minutes 45 seconds, followed by Jose Miguel Lizana Garcia in 20 minutes 6 seconds.
In the women’s category, Elizabeth Oliva claimed first place with a time of 23 minutes 58 seconds, Yaiza Blasco Valero followed in 25 minutes, and Eva Martin Moreno finished in 25 minutes 6 seconds.
As the morning progressed, clouds drifted and a light shower briefly cooled the air, with comfortable humidity levels pushing runners to sweat as they pushed on.
Holiday appetizer
Weather did not dampen the mood. The event, described by the City Council as a true sports festival, served as a festive lead into local patron saint celebrations. The queen and her court distributed messages to the crowd while officials gathered nearby, including the deputy state representative and the sports council member. The scene was a blend of sport, ceremony, and community pride.
Breakfast
The organizers offered a summer breakfast featuring coca boba and barley granita for early risers, paired with a refreshing dip in the bay’s warm waters as a reward for the effort. It was a fitting close to a lively morning of sport and camaraderie, a testament to Santa Pola’s seaside spirit.