Valencia Half Marathon 2026 – Road Running Event Spain

What to expect in 2026

The Valencia Half Marathon 2026, officially known as the Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich, will take place on Sunday, 25 October 2026, in Valencia, Spain. The 35th edition will bring thousands of recreational and elite runners onto a certified 21.0975-kilometre urban course through Valencia, one of Europe’s major destinations for road running. The race is organised by SD Correcaminos with the institutional support of Valencia City Council.

The event has World Athletics Gold Label status and is certified by AIMS and the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA). It is also part of the European SuperHalfs series. The organisers have designed the 2026 race around a fast urban route, with the start and finish both located on Avinguda dels Tarongers near the campuses of the Universitat Politècnica de València and Universitat de València.

The 2026 edition is expected to combine a mass-participation atmosphere with a highly competitive elite race. The event has become particularly associated with record-breaking performances. In 2024, Yomif Kejelcha ran 57:30 for the men’s world record at the time, while Letesenbet Gidey’s 1:02:52 from 2021 remains the women’s world record established at Valencia. The organisers describe the course as one designed for very fast times.

A major feature of race weekend is Expo 21K Feria Valencia, where registered runners collect their bib, race bag and official race materials. The 2026 goodie bag and medal have already been revealed, with the medal presented to every runner who completes the race.

Match/event dates

The main race takes place on Sunday, 25 October 2026. The event is open to runners aged 18 or older on race day who have a valid race bib and meet the applicable RFEA and World Athletics requirements.

The main weekend schedule includes:

• Friday, 23 October: Expo 21K Feria Valencia opens for bib and race-material collection.
• Saturday, 24 October: Second day of Expo 21K Feria Valencia and final opportunity to collect race materials.
• Sunday, 25 October: Valencia Half Marathon 2026.
• Sunday evening: 21K Valencia Medal Party at the Umbracle, providing a post-race celebration for participants.

The organisers state that bibs and chips are distributed exclusively in person at Expo 21K Feria Valencia on Friday and Saturday. Bib collection is not available on race morning. Registered runners may authorise another person to collect their materials through the Runner’s Area procedure.

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Stadium & sports venue

Unlike a stadium-based sporting event, the Valencia Half Marathon is a city road race that uses Valencia’s streets as its sporting venue. The 2026 start and finish are both located on Avinguda dels Tarongers, close to the Universitat Politècnica de València and Universitat de València campuses.

The 21.0975-kilometre asphalt route is fully certified, with kilometre markers placed according to World Athletics standards. The course is designed to support fast racing while also providing spectators with multiple opportunities to watch the runners around Valencia.

The official course information includes access points, parking areas, toilets, aid stations and cheering zones. The organiser also provides a digital route resource so runners and spectators can study the course before race day.

Full fixture or event schedule

The central sporting programme for the 2026 edition is structured around the race weekend.

Friday, 23 October: Runners begin the weekend at Expo 21K Feria Valencia, collecting their bib, race shirt and race bag. The expo also provides an opportunity to engage with the running community and event partners.

Saturday, 24 October: The expo continues, giving participants their final opportunity to collect race materials before race day. La Placeta at the expo hosts running-related talks and activities, while Rookies’ Corner provides guidance aimed particularly at people making their half-marathon debut.

Sunday, 25 October: The half marathon begins in waves from 8:25 a.m. The staggered start continues until 9:27 a.m., depending on the runner’s accredited performance category.

Sunday evening: The 21K Valencia Medal Party is scheduled at the Umbracle, giving runners an opportunity to celebrate after completing the race.

Teams, athletes & participants

The Valencia Half Marathon does not use teams in the traditional sense of a football or tennis tournament. Participants compete individually across the men’s and women’s classifications and additional adapted categories.

The field includes recreational runners, experienced club athletes, sub-elite competitors and international elite athletes. The 2026 regulations provide specific standards for sub-elite bib status, based on recent performances over 10K, half marathon or marathon distances.

The race has historically attracted some of the world’s fastest distance runners. The 2025 edition featured Yomif Kejelcha, Agnes Jebet Ngetich, Andreas Almgren and other international athletes. Kejelcha won the men’s race in 58:02, while Ngetich won the women’s race in 1:03:08. Almgren set a European record of 58:41.

The 2026 elite field should be checked through the organiser’s latest announcements because elite participation can change before race day.

Tournament format & competition structure

The Valencia Half Marathon is a mass-participation road race covering exactly 21.0975 kilometres. It is not divided into heats that produce separate winners; instead, all runners receive official timing based on their individual start wave and finish time.

The 2026 race has a public capacity of 25,000 bibs. Participants are assigned starting boxes according to their declared and, where required, verified previous performances. Runners targeting a finish below 1:34 must provide evidence of a qualifying recent performance from a 10K, 15K, half marathon or marathon held during the previous three years.

The seven published waves are:

• 8:25 a.m.: Under 1:19:59
• 8:30 a.m.: 1:20:00–1:25:59
• 8:35 a.m.: 1:26:00–1:33:59
• 8:48 a.m.: 1:34:00–1:42:59
• 9:01 a.m.: 1:43:00–1:49:59
• 9:14 a.m.: 1:50:00–1:54:59
• 9:27 a.m.: 1:55:00 and slower

Wheelchair athletes start early in the fourth wave, while visually impaired athletes can start early at the front of their assigned wave if they choose.

Match/event times

The first wave starts at 8:25 a.m. on Sunday, 25 October 2026. The final published wave starts at 9:27 a.m.

The official overall finishing deadline is 12:20 p.m., giving each participant a maximum of 2 hours and 45 minutes from the moment they cross the start line. The organiser also applies a checkpoint rule at kilometre 10: runners arriving after 11:00 a.m. must leave the race or enter the sweeper vehicle because they are outside the required time projection.

Participants should arrive considerably earlier than their assigned wave to allow time for transport, bag drop if applicable, security procedures, warm-up and access to their starting box.

Ticket types

The Valencia Half Marathon operates through race registration rather than conventional spectator tickets. The principal purchase is a race bib that gives the registered participant access to the official competition.

For 2026, the official registration structure was:

• Bib numbers 1–10,000: approximately $46.80
• Bib numbers 10,001–25,000: approximately $93.60
• Ballot places: approximately $93.60
• Mandatory day licence for runners without an applicable athletics licence: approximately $3.51
• Waiting-list registration: approximately $117.00, plus the applicable day licence where required

The organiser states that there are 25,000 public bibs available. The actual availability of places depends on the registration phase and any remaining capacity.

Registered runners receive their race bib, timing chip and race materials through Expo 21K Feria Valencia. The 2026 runner’s goodie bag and official medal form part of the race experience.

Ticket release phases

The 2026 registration system introduced a loyalty period followed by a ballot system because of the event’s high demand.

The published 2026 process included:

• 30 October–3 November 2025: preferential loyalty registration for runners registered for the 2025 race.
• 4–14 November 2025: registration for the public ballot.
• 17 November 2025: ballot draw.
• 18 November 2025: ballot results sent to applicants.
• 18–30 November 2025: selected runners completed their registrations.
• From 30 November 2025: remaining places could be allocated through the waiting list.

The ballot itself did not charge an entry fee, although a temporary card retention was used during the process. The organiser also allows official tour operators and authorised travel packages to provide entries, but warns runners against purchasing unofficial bibs through third-party platforms.

VIP & hospitality options

The official 2026 regulations focus primarily on race registration, runner services and participant categories rather than publishing a separate general VIP hospitality ticket programme.

The event’s premium experience is centred more around the race itself, Expo 21K activities, elite presentations, the official medal experience and the post-race Medal Party. La Placeta at Expo 21K provides talks and key event presentations, while Rookies’ Corner offers practical information for first-time half-marathon participants.

If hospitality, travel packages or premium race services become available through official partners, runners should verify them through the official Valencia Ciudad del Running channels rather than purchasing unofficial packages.

Stadium & event rules

Participants must follow the official 2026 race regulations. The race is restricted to registered participants with valid bibs, and runners must be at least 18 years old on race day.

Important rules include:

• Bib requirement: Only runners with an authorised race bib may participate.
• Age: Participants must be at least 18 years old.
• Course restrictions: Skates, bicycles and other vehicles are prohibited.
• Pets: Participants may not run accompanied by pets.
• Minors: Runners may not participate while accompanied by minors.
• Wheelchairs: Wheelchairs for athletes with disabilities are permitted under the event’s adapted arrangements.
• Anti-doping: The race is subject to applicable RFEA and World Athletics anti-doping controls.
• Official vehicles: Only vehicles authorised by the organisers may follow the race.
• Bib transfers: Any change of ownership must be completed through the official procedure.

The organiser also requires runners to provide emergency information and relevant medical details on the back of their bib.

How to get there

The race start and finish are located on Avinguda dels Tarongers, in the university area of Valencia. This places the course close to Universitat Politècnica de València and Universitat de València facilities.

Visitors arriving by air can travel from Valencia Airport toward the city centre and university area using Valencia’s public transport network or taxis. International runners staying in central Valencia can generally reach the university district using Metrovalencia, EMT buses or taxi services.

Because race-day road closures and pedestrian restrictions can affect access to the start, participants should follow the organiser’s final race-week transport instructions rather than relying entirely on normal weekday travel routes.

Public transport & parking

Public transport is the practical option for reaching a major urban running event such as the Valencia Half Marathon. The start area is served by Valencia’s wider metro and bus network, with connections from central neighbourhoods toward the university district.

The organiser’s official course resources include information about parking, toilets, aid stations, access points and cheering areas, and the route information can be used to identify suitable spectator access points.

Drivers should expect road closures around the course and should avoid planning to drive directly to Avinguda dels Tarongers on race morning. Spectators can instead park farther away and continue by public transport or on foot.

The event also promotes lower-emission travel. The organisers state that a Renfe agreement provides runners and their families with at least a 15% discount on train travel to Valencia during the event period, subject to the applicable conditions.

Accommodation areas

Runners staying in Valencia have several useful areas to consider.

Ciutat Vella: The historic centre provides access to restaurants, attractions and public transport, making it suitable for visitors combining the race with sightseeing.

Ruzafa: This lively central district offers restaurants, cafés and accommodation while remaining well connected to other parts of the city.

Camins al Grau: Located between the city centre and the coast, this area can be convenient for runners who want a balance between central access and proximity to the eastern side of Valencia.

University area: Staying closer to the Universitat Politècnica de València can reduce race-morning travel, particularly for runners who want to walk or use short public-transport connections to the start.

Malvarrosa and Cabanyal: These coastal districts offer accommodation near the Mediterranean and provide another option for visitors who want a beach-oriented stay.

Runners should prioritise accommodation with easy public-transport access because race-day road closures can make short car journeys considerably more complicated.

Food & drink at the venue

The Valencia Half Marathon provides official liquid refreshment stations during the race. The 2026 regulations place drink stations at approximately kilometres 5, 10, 15 and 19, followed by a final liquid and solid refreshment station at the finish. Medical services are also positioned along the route and around the start and finish areas.

The race weekend also has a broader food and hospitality atmosphere around Valencia. Expo 21K Feria Valencia brings together runners, exhibitors and event partners, while Valencia itself offers extensive choices ranging from traditional Valencian cuisine to cafés and restaurants.

Runners should avoid experimenting with unfamiliar foods immediately before the race. Valencia’s restaurants and cafés can instead be enjoyed before or after the event according to an individual runner’s preparation plan.

Accessibility

Accessibility is incorporated into the race structure through adapted participation categories. The 2026 regulations recognise wheelchair athletes, athletes with functional disabilities, athletes with sensory disabilities and athletes with intellectual disabilities. Registration for adapted categories is coordinated through the Federación de Deportes Adaptados de la Comunitat Valenciana (FESA).

Visually impaired athletes can receive assistance from a guide under the published conditions. The regulations state that each B2 athlete who requires a guide can have one guide, with the guide’s registration handled directly through FESA.

Wheelchair athletes have a designated early-start arrangement, while visually impaired runners can start at the front of their assigned wave if they choose. Participants with accessibility requirements should contact the organisers and FESA well before race weekend to confirm the latest procedures.

Best matches/events to attend

The main 21K race: The central attraction is the Sunday morning half marathon, with elite athletes and thousands of recreational runners sharing the same city course.

Elite race: Spectators interested in international athletics should watch the leading men’s and women’s fields. Valencia has regularly attracted runners capable of competing at world-record level.

Expo 21K Feria Valencia: The expo is an important part of the weekend because registered runners collect their bibs and race materials there.

La Placeta: This expo space hosts running-related talks and presentations, including the presentation of elite athletes.

Rookies’ Corner: First-time half-marathon runners can attend talks designed to help them prepare for the race experience.

21K Valencia Medal Party: Held on Sunday evening at the Umbracle, the post-race event provides a social finale to the race weekend.

Previous year’s highlights

The 2025 Valencia Half Marathon was one of the event’s most significant recent editions. Yomif Kejelcha won the men’s race in 58:02, while Agnes Jebet Ngetich won the women’s race in 1:03:08. Ngetich’s performance was the fastest women’s half-marathon time of 2025 at that point and the third-fastest performance in history.

Sweden’s Andreas Almgren finished in 58:41, setting a new European record. Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera ran 58:38 for second place in the men’s race, while Brian Kibor finished third in 58:39. In the women’s race, Fotyen Tesfay finished second in 1:05:10 and Veronica Loleo third in 1:05:46.

The 2025 event also produced five national records and one European record according to the organiser’s post-race review. The result continued Valencia’s reputation as a major destination for elite half-marathon performances.

The previous edition’s history also includes the extraordinary 2024 performance by Yomif Kejelcha, who ran 57:30 for a world record at the time. Agnes Ngetich won the women’s race in 1:03:04.

The event’s historical record page lists 34 completed editions through 2025 and records five world records set at the race over its history.

Official tickets

The Valencia Half Marathon uses race registration rather than conventional spectator tickets. The official organiser states that the authorised registration platform is the Valencia Ciudad del Running ticketing system, managed by SD Correcaminos. Third-party purchases are not recommended because the organiser does not guarantee the validity or rights attached to unofficial bibs.

For official registration information, race rules, ballot details, waiting-list information and the Runner’s Area, use the organiser’s official website:

Official Valencia Half Marathon 2026 page (https://www.valenciaciudaddelrunning.com/en/half/half-marathon/)

Official 2026 race regulations (https://www.valenciaciudaddelrunning.com/en/half/regulations-valencia-half-marathon/)

Official 2026 registration information (https://www.valenciaciudaddelrunning.com/en/half/info-registration-2026/)

The official site should be used for any last-minute changes to the starting schedule, course access, road closures, registration status, participant instructions or event arrangements.