The Santa Pola Half Marathon 2026 (also called the Mitja) is one of the first major road races on Spain’s running calendar. Scheduled for Sunday 18 January 2026, this Valencian race will hold its 34th edition and once again welcome thousands of runners on a World Athletics‑certified course. This guide compiles all the key details about times, registration, the route and recent results, plus practical advice to train properly and savour the unique atmosphere of Santa Pola.
Date, schedule and key facts
The organisers have announced that the half marathon will take place on Sunday 18 January 2026 at 10:30 am. There is a limit of 7,000 bib numbers; registration opened on 1 June 2025 and sold out well before the planned closing date of 14 January 2026. Bib collection is held at the Runner’s Expo on 16 and 17 January—no numbers are handed out on race day. Both the start and finish are located on Calle Fernando Pérez Ojeda, next to the fishing harbour and yacht club. There are age‑group categories (U20, U23, senior and masters in five‑year increments from 35) and prize money for the overall winners and fastest clubs. Participants can also sign up for the 10K Santa Pola 2026, which shares part of the course and is held in parallel.
History and recent results
The Santa Pola half marathon was born in 1990 with barely a hundred runners and has grown into one of Spain’s fastest and most popular 21 km races. Its World Athletics Road Race Label certifies the course and attracts elite athletes. In the 2025 edition Kenya’s Vincent Langat triumphed in 59:55, ahead of fellow Kenyans Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich (1:00:00) and Jonathan Kamosong (1:01:25). The women’s race was dominated by Ethiopia’s Kidsan Alema, who clocked 1:07:07 to beat Mulat Tekle Godu (1:07:34) and Kenya’s Nancy Sang (1:08:03). In 2024 the titles went to Ethiopia’s Andamlak Belihu (59:59) and Zewditu Aderaw (1:07:59), underscoring how competitive the event is. The presence of world‑class runners has raised the standard and enabled many amateurs to set personal bests.
Course: coastal and urban loop
Santa Pola’s course is one of the most scenic on Spain’s east coast. After starting on Calle Fernando Pérez Ojeda, runners head towards the marina and promenade, hugging the shoreline past Levante Beach and Gran Beach. The route continues along Avenida de Salamanca and Avenida de Fernando Pérez Oro up to Santa Pola’s lighthouse, where Tabarca Island appears on the horizon. Turning inland, athletes traverse streets such as Elche, Almirante Antequera and Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, cheered on by enthusiastic spectators. The profile is virtually flat, with only gentle rises when leaving the promenade and returning to the harbour. Because it’s a single‑loop course, there are no congested sections and you can settle into a steady rhythm. Winter weather, with temperatures around 10–15 °C, provides perfect conditions for chasing a personal best.
Registration, bib numbers and runner services
Although registration is closed for the 2026 edition, the organisers open a waiting list each year from September for those hoping to snag a late bib. The entry fee includes a technical shirt, medical insurance, bag drop and aid stations every 5 km. Numbers are collected at the Runner’s Expo (sports pavilion) on presentation of ID or the registration receipt; you can authorise someone else to pick it up via a form. The race provides pacemakers for different goal times (1 h 20, 1 h 30, 1 h 40 etc.), showers at municipal facilities, medal engraving and post‑race physiotherapy. The official website also publishes training sessions and social runs to familiarise yourself with the course.
Training tips for your half marathon
Training for a half marathon takes time and structure. Here’s an eight‑week plan aimed at runners who already have 10 km experience and want to move up to 21 km. Feel free to adjust volumes and paces to suit your level:
- Weeks 1‑2: aerobic base. Do four sessions per week featuring 6‑8 km easy runs, running drills (high‑knee skips, butt kicks) and a 10 km long run on Sundays.
- Weeks 3‑4: progressive increase. Introduce 8‑9 km runs and 3 km segments at race pace to boost aerobic capacity. The long run increases to 14 km. Add strength sessions (squats, lunges) to reinforce your muscles.
- Weeks 5‑6: intensity and power. Alternate 10 km runs with interval sessions (6×2 km at a hard pace with 2 min recovery) and hilly fartlek. The long run reaches 18 km.
- Weeks 7‑8: sharpening and rest. Reduce the load to assimilate the work: run 8 km at an easy pace, perform one final 16 km long run and include stretching sessions. Rest at least two days before race day.
Complement your running with core and lower‑body strength work, a balanced diet and adequate hydration. Practise with the gear you’ll use on race day (shoes, socks, energy gels) to avoid surprises. The SnapRace app lets you design personalised plans, monitor real‑time pace and share your progress with other runners. Its stride‑analysis feature helps you spot asymmetries and improve efficiency.
Keys to enjoy the atmosphere
- Arrive early. Allow enough time to park, warm up and enter your starting corral without stress. Check the service maps on the official website.
- Pace yourself. Start conservatively; the flat course invites fast running but good energy management will help you enjoy the second half.
- Use the aid stations. Hydrate at every station, especially if it’s sunny. Practise beforehand with isotonic drinks.
- Feed off the crowd. Santa Pola’s Mitja is renowned for its lively spectators and musical bands along the route. Let their energy motivate you.
- Recover and share. After crossing the finish line, cool down, hydrate and share your experience on SnapRace to inspire other runners. Drop by the Expo stands to plan your next goal.
Related links
If you love running in Valencia, you might also enjoy other guides on our blog. Discover the secrets of the 15K Nocturna Valencia Gana Energía 2026 or dive into the record‑breaking Valencia 10K Ibercaja 2026. And if you’re looking for longer distances, don’t miss our guide to the Valencia Marathon 2025. Each article is packed with tips, anecdotes and training plans to help you achieve your goals.
Ready to experience the magic of the Santa Pola Half Marathon? Although bibs are sold out for 2026, you can cheer runners along the course or plan your participation for 2027. Start preparing your body and mind, download the SnapRace app and we’ll see you on the start line!