15K Nocturna Valencia Gana Energía 2026: registration, course and night‑running tips
Everything you need to know about the 15K Nocturna Valencia Gana Energía 2026: when registration opens, a tour of the official course and an eight‑week training plan with safety advice to enjoy running under Valencia’s moonlight.
Few cities live running as intensely as Valencia. The 15K Nocturna Valencia Gana Energía, which will celebrate its 13th edition on 26 September 2026, is the race that kicks off autumn in the local calendar. It offers a different proposition: covering 15 kilometres at night through some of the city’s most emblematic avenues and monuments with a festive atmosphere and thousands of people cheering. This guide provides all the details you need, from key dates for signing up to a training plan and safety tips for night running.
Registration and new features for the 2026 edition
The organisers have announced that registration for the 15K Nocturna Valencia Gana Energía 2026 will open on 20 January at 12:00 (noon) and that the first 2,000 bibs will be available at a promotional price of €15. Registration will be released in tiers: as each tranche sells out, the price goes up. This encourages runners to secure their place early through the race’s official website. The event forms part of the Valencia Ciudad del Running project and acts as a stepping stone towards longer challenges such as the city’s half marathon and marathon. The 2026 race will be the 13th edition of an event that has grown hugely in popularity in recent years. The most recent running attracted more than 13,000 registrants, mostly local athletes, cementing the race as one of Valencia’s great sporting festivals. The start takes place on Saturday, 26 September at 22:30 from Avenida del Ingeniero Manuel Soto, and organisers set a 120‑minute limit for completing the course. To ensure safety there will be several waves (one for elite athletes plus five more) so everyone can run comfortably according to their target pace.A night course full of history and landmarks
The course, approved by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, is a completely urban, flat 15‑kilometre loop designed for fast times. Both start and finish are on Avenida del Ingeniero Manuel Soto. From there, runners take Avenida del Puerto before turning onto Avenida de Aragón and Calle Artes Gráficas. The route passes Plaza de Zaragoza and heads onto Paseo de la Alameda, a broad section that allows runners to establish a steady rhythm. After crossing Puente del Real, athletes enter the historic centre: Calle de la Paz, Plaza de la Virgen, Calle San Vicente Mártir and Plaza del Ayuntamiento. They continue along Calle de las Barcas and Pintor Sorolla to reach Plaza de Alfonso el Magnánimo, passing the Palacio de Justicia and Puerta de la Mar. At kilometre 9 the course runs along Calle Colón and into Ruzafa before heading down Gran Vía Marqués del Turia towards the old riverbed of the Turia. The final stretch follows Calle Jacinto Benavente and the Monteolivete bridge, keeping the City of Arts and Sciences on the right. After kilometre 13 runners circle the Parotet roundabout, travel along Avenida de Francia and Calle Menorca, and then attack the last metres towards Valencia’s port. The nocturnal ambience, special lighting and roar of the crowd make every metre an unforgettable experience.History and evolution of the 15K Nocturna
The 15K Nocturna started in 2013 as a pioneering event in Spain: it invited people to run at night on a well‑lit, certified course. Since then it has grown in both participation and prestige. In 2024, for example, more than 8,300 runners took part in the edition sponsored by FibraValencia. That year the triathletes Mario Mola (46:23) and Carlota Rodés (54:24) topped the podium, showing that the race also attracts elite athletes. The arrival of sponsors such as Gana Energía and the support of local institutions have helped the event to flourish. The course itself has also evolved to improve the experience. Early editions stayed mainly within the historic centre; today the route combines wide avenues like Avenida de Francia with narrow streets rich in history. Live music, well‑spaced aid stations and an official mobile app that lets spectators track the race in real time have turned the 15K Nocturna into more than just a sporting contest – it’s a city‑wide party that opens the autumn season.Training plan for your night‑time 15K
Preparing for a 15‑kilometre race calls for a progressive plan combining easy runs, quality workouts and strategic rest. Below is an eight‑week programme inspired by plans from Club de Corredores and adapted for a night event. It’s aimed at runners who already have experience with 10 km and want to move up to 15 km without injury.- Weeks 1‑2: Build a base. Do four sessions per week featuring easy runs of 4‑6 km, running drills (skipping, high knees, butt kicks) and an 8‑km long run on Sunday. The goal is to accustom your body to the training frequency and improve running efficiency.
- Weeks 3‑4: Progressive increase. Introduce 6‑7‑km runs and add short segments at moderate pace (e.g. 2 km at race pace) to stimulate aerobic capacity. Long runs grow to 10–11 km. Include basic strength work and stretching after each session.
- Weeks 5‑6: Pace and power. Incorporate interval sessions (such as five × 800 m at a hard pace with 90 seconds of jogging) and steady runs of 8 km. Long runs reach 12‑13 km. Add core and mobility exercises to reduce injury risk.
- Weeks 7‑8: Consolidation and taper. In the penultimate week run a long 14‑km session and keep mid‑week runs light to consolidate your base. During the final week reduce the volume to three easy outings and rest at least two days before the race. The aim is to arrive at the start line feeling fresh.
Night‑running safety tips
Running at night has a special charm but also requires certain precautions. Coaches and nutrition experts highlight several factors to get the most out of the 15K Nocturna:- Visibility and gear. Wear headlamps or illuminated belts and clothing with reflective elements so you can be seen. Some coaches recommend illuminated vests and reflective gloves to multiply your points of light. If the surface may be wet, shoes with good grip or trail‑type soles will give you extra security.
- Route planning and company. Know the course in advance and choose well‑lit areas if you’re training at night, or run with a group. Apps like Strava offer live‑tracking features so friends and family know where you are; modern GPS watches also include incident detection.
- Nutrition and timing. Adjust your diet so your last large meal is at lunchtime and avoid hard‑to‑digest foods before running. Easily digestible fruit (bananas, kiwis, berries) or a carb‑rich snack work well. If you’re eating dinner after the race, opt for light dishes such as soups with protein or omelettes with vegetables to aid recovery.
- Manage expectations and have fun. Running in the dark may mean slowing your pace and focusing on the ground. Adjust your expectations and practice effort‑based training: pay attention to how you feel rather than to pace. Above all, enjoy the night‑time atmosphere, music and city lights.