Dream brothers Juan Carlos and Pedro Antonio Esteso are shaping a remarkably popular Elche night race that already stands as a guiding reference in regional athletics. The event, known as the Elche Night Race, is on track for its second edition next Saturday, May 13, and is garnering attention as a staple on the Hispanic running calendar.
Last year’s premiere drew about 1,800 runners, and this year’s momentum is pushing registrations past the halfway mark. With registrations already exceeding 2,500, the race is matching the pace of some of the strongest grassroots running programs in Spain. The event is quickly becoming a benchmark for community-powered endurance events in the region.
The race is popularly called Illegal Night, a nickname that captures the vibrant, alternative spirit of the evening. The start and finish are set along the symbolic Paseo de la Estación, adjacent to the Palm Grove within the World Heritage-listed Municipal Park, creating a backdrop that blends culture with competition.
Beginning at half past nine in the evening, a well-organized group of athletes will stride through the city’s main streets and boulevards. The route passes through Plaça de Baix, by the Town Hall, Blasco Ibáñez, Reina Victoria, and Avenida de Libertad, turning Elche into a nocturnal playground where sport meets city life. Juan Angel Romero, a central figure in Elche’s sports scene, considers this event a cornerstone of the city’s athletic vitality.
The night will be alive with music and lighting, turning the start into a dynamic spectacle as runners set off and fans line the streets for an electric finish. The event is organized in collaboration with Esteso Runners Sports Club and the City Council of Elche, a partnership that has transformed the race into a yearly celebration of local running culture.
Two distances are offered: 5 kilometers and 10 kilometers, ensuring that runners of all levels can participate. Whether seasoned competitors or casual enthusiasts, participants share one core trait: a deep appreciation for community-focused athletics.
Dreams of podium moments include awards for the top three finishers in each category—Senior (16–34 years), Absolute, Master A (35–44), Master B (45–54), and Master C (55 and above)—with separate prizes for men and women. More than 2,500 entries have already been logged, drawing runners from across Spain and beyond, with a strong presence from Alicante, Murcia, Valencia, and Albacete. This broad participation underscores the event’s role as a regional showcase for talent and enthusiasm.
Notably, female participation remains high, with about 40% of 10K entrants and more than half of 5K entrants being women, highlighting a progressive, inclusive mood that marks the Elche Night Race as a forward-thinking community event.
Among the favorites in the women’s 10K category is the local standout Jessica Guerrero, last year’s winner and current Spain Master 35 champion. Other strong contenders include Ana Maria Ribera, Etel Jover, and Elena Veracruz, who will test Guerrero’s pace. In the 5K, Andrea Pomar is seen as a leading challenger, while Sandra Alcazar M’ster 35 rises as a serious contender in the Madrid circuit for 800 meters. In the men’s field, Alejandro Juan leads the 10K contenders, with Francisco Macia, José Pérez Torres, Adrián Irles, and the steady Andrés Micó close behind. For the 5K, last year’s winner Jorge Mateu is a favorite, with Pedro Antonio Esteso and Kevin Fernandez in pursuit to disrupt the outcome.
Fran Maciá and Jessica Guerrero shine at the I Elche Night Race
The organizers emphasize a night of accessible, high-energy competition designed to entertain both athletes and spectators. A prominent organizer notes that the course is a fast track approved by the Spanish Royal Athletic Federation (RFEA) and winds through Elche’s downtown corridors, with hopes to surpass last year’s scores and set new standards for speed and excitement.
One of the Esteso brothers envisions a sustained growth trajectory: consolidating the Elche Night Race within the Spanish racing calendar and building it into a benchmark event that could someday rival the country’s top races, such as the Valencia 10K. The mission is clear: keep elevating the race year after year and position it among Spain’s elite 10K events while expanding its reach across the running community.