The Getafe City Half Marathon, which will hold its 26th edition on January 25, 2026, has established itself as the fastest half marathon in the Community of Madrid and a benchmark on the RFEA’s national race calendar. With a flat, certified course and a limit of 5,000 participants, the race promises high эмоtion, international stars, and the chance to set a new personal best. In this article you’ll find all the details on schedules, course, elite athletes, prize money, and training tips to fly in Getafe.
Date, schedule, and key facts
The 26th Getafe City Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 10:30. The start and finish lines will be located on Avenida Juan de Borbón, next to the Juan de la Cierva Stadium. The organizers have set a limit of 5,000 bibs and a maximum time of 2 h 30 m to complete the 21,097 meters, making it a race suitable for both elite athletes and recreational runners.
Registration opened on September 15 and will remain available until January 22 or until bibs sell out. The entry fee varies by date: €23 from September 15 to 30, €26 from October 1 to November 30, and €29 from December 1 to January 22. In addition to the chip and bib number, each participant receives a technical race shirt, a finisher medal, pacers for different target times, a bag drop service, and access to a runner’s expo.
Bib pickup will take place at the Juan de la Cierva sports pavilion (Av. de las Ciudades s/n, Getafe). Bibs can be collected on Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24 from 10:00 to 20:00. On Sunday, January 25, bibs will only be issued to runners from outside the Community of Madrid (8:15–10:00). To collect your bib, you must present your registration confirmation or your ID.
The runner’s bag includes an exclusive shirt for the 26th edition, the finisher medal, and refreshments provided by AhorraMas. There will be liquid aid stations at kilometers 5, 10, and 15, as well as at the finish, ensuring that all runners can hydrate throughout the course.
Certified course and what’s new
Getafe boasts one of the fastest courses in Spain. The city course, certified by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA) and World Athletics, consists of a single 21.097 km loop. The start and finish are on Avenida Juan de Borbón, and much of the route runs along wide, flat avenues that favor steady pacing and personal bests.
Looking ahead to 2026, the organizers have introduced small changes to make it even faster: runners will pass through the Los Molinos neighborhood and Avenida María Zambrano before entering the Juan de la Cierva sports complex via its main access. The update aims to smooth out a few turns and lengthen the straights, while also reducing congestion in the final kilometers. According to Al Cabo de la Calle, these improvements could save elite athletes around one second per kilometer.
To ensure safety and course quality, traffic will be closed and there will be electronic timing checkpoints at the start, km 5, km 10, km 15, and the finish. The route will be clearly marked and will feature entertainment, medical support, and pacers for different goal times.
Favorites and international elite field
The Getafe Half Marathon attracts world-class athletes every year in search of a fast time. For the 2026 edition, the Kenyan runners Peter Wanjiru Kariuki and Kelvin Kiptoo Murkeu are expected, along with the Moroccans Hamza Omari and Zakariya Elboubekraoui, and Argentina’s María Luz Tesuri. Local representation will include Lucía Morales García, national 10 km runner-up, who is aiming to break 1h 13m in her Getafe debut.
The battle for the cash prizes—€800 for the men’s and women’s winners, €600 for second place, €400 for third, €200 for fourth, and €100 for fifth—should produce an aggressive pace. There are also performance bonuses for times under 1h 00 (€1,500), 1h 01 (€800), 1h 02 (€500), 1h 03 (€300), and 1h 04 (€200) in the men’s race, and for times under 1h 08:30, 1h 10:00, 1h 11:30, 1h 13:00, and 1h 15:00 in the women’s race.
In addition to the overall standings, the race offers trophies for the top three finishers in each age category—Senior, M35, M40, M45, M50, M55, M60, and M65—and for wheelchair athletes. There will also be a special award for the first male and first female runners registered as residents of Getafe.
What to see and do in Getafe
Spending the half marathon weekend is an excellent opportunity to explore the Community of Madrid. The city of Getafe is less than 20 km from the capital, so after the race you can visit Madrid’s historic center and iconic spots such as Gran Vía, the Royal Palace, or Retiro Park.
If you prefer cultural day trips, Aranjuez and its Royal Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) are about 40 km away; the Monastery of El Escorial is less than an hour by car; and Toledo offers a journey back in time with its medieval streets and synagogues. For a family-friendly plan, Warner Madrid theme park is just a few kilometers away and is a great option to combine running and fun. A detailed guide to these activities can be found on Finishers.com.
These visits will turn your Getafe experience into a complete weekend of sport and tourism.
Training tips for the Getafe Half Marathon
Although the race is flat and fast, it requires specific preparation. We recommend dedicating at least 12 weeks to training, combining long runs, race-pace intervals, and strength sessions. Start with an aerobic base of 6–8 km four times per week and progressively increase the volume until you reach long runs of 18–20 km.
- Add speed work (2–3 km intervals and fartlek) to improve your running economy.
- Train on flat surfaces similar to the course and practice your goal pace to get your body used to sustained running.
- Plan your nutrition and hydration in advance; in Getafe you’ll have aid stations every 5 km, so practice taking fluids during your runs.
- Recover properly: reduce training load in the final week, sleep well, and avoid using brand-new gear on race day.
- Use tracking tools like the SnapRace app to create personalized plans, analyze your pace, and share your progress with other runners. The app also lets you compare your performance across different races and follow the route with GPS—an ideal aid for a fast course like Getafe.
Remember to check the weather forecast: although January is usually cool in Madrid, the right clothing and a longer warm-up will help you perform at your best. If you’re interested in how another popular January half marathon went, we invite you to read our recap of the Santa Pola Half Marathon 2026, where we share experiences, recommendations, and impressions from an equally fast race.
Getafe 2026 promises a blend of competitive excitement and a fantastic community atmosphere. If you’re looking for a fast course to race your first half marathon or set a new personal best, this event is for you. Use the days leading up to the race to explore the city and its surroundings, follow a structured training plan, and get ready to fly in the fastest half marathon in Madrid. Are you in? See you on the start line. And don’t forget to keep the SnapRace app in your pocket: it will help you manage your pace and relive every kilometer of the experience.