On 22 February 2026, the city of Castellón de la Plana once again became one of the epicentres of European running. The 16th bp Castellón Marathon and the 10K FACSA Castellón were held under sunny skies and mild temperatures on an almost flat course that once again proved why the city is known as a winter running capital. Thousands of spectators lined the streets while athletes chased fast times and, as we’ll see below, the performances lived up to the hype. If you’re thinking about taking part, have a look at our comprehensive guide to the marathon (in Spanish), where we explain the course, services and pre-race tips.
Marathon summary: African dominance and best Spanish performance
The marquee race featured nearly 1,200 runners and a strong contingent of elite athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia and Spain. The men’s race broke open after the 30-kilometre mark, when Kenyan Leonard Kipkgeno Bor surged ahead with a decisive change of pace. No one could follow him and he crossed the finish line in Ribalta Park in 2:07:36, a time that confirms the course’s potential for world-class performances. More than four minutes later came Ethiopian Dereje Bayisa Dida, second with 2:12:02, and compatriot Bedru Sirur Muktar completed the podium in 2:13:29. Fourth place went to Tokuma Fita Gemechu (2:23:37), and the top Spaniard, Fernando Ruiz Sánchez, finished fifth in 2:27:33.
The women’s race was much closer until the final kilometres. Ethiopian Keleltu Kayamo Hariso held off the Kenyan challengers and claimed victory in 2:31:42. She was followed by Lucy Chepoghón Chelele (2:33:57) and fellow Ethiopian Meseret Tafa Gemechu (2:35:53). Kenyans Aurelia Jerotich Kiptui (2:39:42) and Betty Chepleting (2:43:44) rounded out the top five. Despite African dominance, several Spanish women ran personal bests and used the flat course to move closer to international qualifying standards.
Men’s podium – 42K
- 1st Leonard Kipkgeno Bor (Kenya) – 2:07:36
- 2nd Dereje Bayisa Dida (Ethiopia) – 2:12:02
- 3rd Bedru Sirur Muktar (Ethiopia) – 2:13:29
- 4th Tokuma Fita Gemechu (Ethiopia) – 2:23:37
- 5th Fernando Ruiz Sánchez (Spain) – 2:27:33
Women’s podium – 42K
- 1st Keleltu Kayamo Hariso (Ethiopia) – 2:31:42
- 2nd Lucy Chepoghón Chelele (Kenya) – 2:33:57
- 3rd Meseret Tafa Gemechu (Ethiopia) – 2:35:53
- 4th Aurelia Jerotich Kiptui (Kenya) – 2:39:42
- 5th Betty Chepleting (Kenya) – 2:43:44
10K FACSA Castellón: records and spectacle
If the marathon produced big numbers, the 10K FACSA Castellón was simply historic. Ugandan Harbert Kibet flew over the asphalt and stopped the clock at 26:39, the fastest 10 km time in the world so far in 2026. Just four seconds behind came Frenchman Yann Schrub in 26:43, setting a new European record; Swede Andreas Almgren (26:45) completed a podium with three athletes under 27 minutes.
In the women’s category, Kenyan Caroline Makandi Gitonga took the win in 29:34, followed by compatriot Nelvin Jepkemboi (29:45) and Ethiopian Chaltu Dida Diriba (29:50). The level was so high that several women ran under 31 minutes; among them Briton Megan Keith, who broke the European record with 30:07. The 10K attracted more than 2,800 runners and showed once again why Castellón is a global benchmark over this distance.
Men’s podium – 10K
- 1st Harbert Kibet (Uganda) – 26:39
- 2nd Yann Schrub (France) – 26:43 (European record)
- 3rd Andreas Almgren (Sweden) – 26:45
- 4th Silas Senchura (Kenya) – 26:58
- 5th Abdessamad Oukhelfen (Spain) – 27:48 (European qualifying standard)
Women’s podium – 10K
- 1st Caroline Makandi Gitonga (Kenya) – 29:34
- 2nd Nelvin Jepkemboi (Kenya) – 29:45
- 3rd Chaltu Dida Diriba (Ethiopia) – 29:50
- 4th Dera Dida (Ethiopia) – 30:07
- 5th Purity Kajuju (Kenya) – 30:25
Why is Castellón so fast?
Several factors explain the avalanche of fast times. The route is very flat, with long straights and hardly any corners, designed to maintain a constant pace. The sea-level altitude and mild February temperatures favour performance. The organisers hired high-quality pacemakers, which enabled ambitious split times in both the marathon and the 10K. In addition, crowd support across the city encourages runners to push the pace.
The event also stands out for its environmental commitment: it earned a Sustainable Sports Event seal thanks to carbon footprint measurement and initiatives such as recycling stations along the course. Sponsors like GO2 by Global Omnium and Ecoembes support actions to reduce waste and promote more sustainable operations.
Festival atmosphere and Spanish participation
It wasn’t just the elites who shone in Castellón; the running festival brought together thousands of recreational runners and clubs from all over Spain. According to the organisers, around 4,000 athletes registered across the marathon and 10K. Among the Spanish standouts, besides Fernando Ruiz Sánchez in the marathon, national team member Abdessamad Oukhelfen ran 27:48 in the 10K, achieving the qualifying standard for the European Championships. In the women’s race, several Spanish distance runners used the course to set new personal bests.
The city fully embraced the event: bands, drum groups and cheer squads turned every kilometre into a party. Castellón thus consolidates its status as a favourite destination for runners looking to combine tourism, Mediterranean cuisine and sport.
Tips for preparing for the bp Castellón Marathon
- Plan ahead: entries sell out earlier each year. Secure your bib and accommodation months in advance.
- Follow a structured plan: a marathon requires 16–20 weeks of preparation. Combine easy runs with quality sessions and strength work. The 80/20 method is ideal for balancing volume and intensity; in our article on the 80/20 method (in Spanish) we explain how to apply it.
- Pay attention to nutrition and hydration: try the gels and drinks you’ll use in the race during your long runs. Conditions are usually mild, but proper hydration is still essential.
- Try the course: if you live nearby, join one of the training runs organised by the local club. Getting to know the route will boost your confidence.
- Rely on technology: apps like SnapRace let you follow plans, log your sessions and compete virtually with other runners. Download it and use its planning and analysis tools to arrive in top shape on race day.
Final thoughts
The bp Castellón Marathon 2026 and the 10K FACSA delivered fast times, European records and an unforgettable atmosphere. Beyond the podiums, the true star was the spirit of the running community, which turned the city into a sports festival. Whether you’re aiming to break your personal best or looking for a unique experience, Castellón awaits you with open arms. Start training, share your progress on SnapRace and mark the date in your calendar!