On 18 January 2026 the region of Vallès Oriental once again celebrated one of its biggest sporting festivals. The Mitja Marató de Granollers, nicknamed by many as the “Behobia of Catalonia” for its festive atmosphere, held its 40th edition with more than 10,000 runners across the half marathon, 10K, 5K and children’s events. Despite the heavy rain that accompanied much of the race, the event delivered drama, personal bests and an exciting Catalan road running championship.
History and evolution of the Granollers Half Marathon
The race was born in 1987 with barely a thousand participants. Since then the event organised by the Associació Esportiva La Mitja and the municipalities of Granollers, Les Franqueses del Vallès and La Garriga has grown into an international benchmark. Its combination of a demanding course, popular ambience and African elites has made it one of Spain’s most highly regarded half marathons.
To celebrate the special 2026 edition, the organisers registered around 9,000 runners in the half marathon, 1,800 athletes in the 10K and 5K events and more than a thousand children in the Mini races. A further 300 walkers took part in the solidarity walk “Camina amb La Mitja”. As a nod to the anniversary, the Spanish lottery agency ONCE issued a commemorative coupon and nine visually impaired athletes completed the course with guides, underlining the inclusive nature of the event.
The course: from Granollers to La Garriga and back
The course follows its classic route: starting on Avinguda Sant Esteve in Granollers, passing through Les Franqueses and La Garriga, and returning to the city centre. The first half, uphill, demands pace control to tackle the long gentle climb to La Garriga; the second half, downhill, invites runners to let their legs roll and recover seconds. Despite this year’s rain, spectators stood faithful in each town, cheering under umbrellas.
The rolling profile and mix of long straights and small inclines require smart effort management. If you want more advice on how to run a fast and crowded half marathon, check out our Barcelona Half Marathon guide, where we explain how to control your pace, use pacers and manage energy in 21K races.
Results of the 40th edition: Kemboi and Nega triumph in the rain
In the men’s race Kenya’s Esau Kemboi took the win in 1:00:39 despite a downpour that never relented. Ugandan Feb Chelegoi crossed the line just seven seconds later, while local favourite Ilias Fifa completed the podium with 1:01:47. This result earned him the Catalan half marathon title for the first time, with a personal best included. Abderrahim El Jaafari and an impressive Xavier Badia joined him on the Catalan podium thanks to their consistency.
The women’s event saw Ethiopia’s Beyhelem Nega dominate in 1:10:01, followed by local athlete Núria Gil (1:12:11), who claimed the Catalan title, and Ugandan Angeline Chelimo. Gil, best known for her trail running successes, surprised with her versatility on asphalt. She was joined on the Catalan championship podium by Gisela Carrión and Sandra Gómez.
The weather did not allow for record-breaking times, but it highlighted the toughness and adaptability of both elite and recreational runners. Despite the wind and rain, more than 8,000 finishers crossed the finish line to applause, relishing having completed one of Spain’s most iconic half marathons.
Facts and curiosities from the 2026 edition
- Record participation in the 10K and 5K: bibs sold out weeks in advance, reflecting the event’s popularity.
- 40 years of history: Toni Cornellas, president of the organising association, recalled that only 1,000 runners took part in 1987 and thanked the volunteers who make the race possible each year.
- Institutional support: the race is part of the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation calendar and served as the absolute and masters Catalan Half Marathon Championships.
- Inclusion and solidarity: the participation of visually impaired athletes and the solidarity walk show the event’s social commitment.
- Special souvenir: all finishers received the 40th edition Mizuno technical shirt, a commemorative medal and gifts from sponsors.
Tips for running the Granollers Half (or any demanding half)
If you’re eyeing the 2027 edition or any other half on a similar course, keep these recommendations in mind:
- Manage your pace: the climb toward La Garriga can be deceiving. Start slower than you’d like and save energy to push on the return.
- Train on hills: include strength and hill sessions in your plan to prepare for the course’s gradients.
- Gear up for any weather: January in Catalonia can be cold and wet. Dress in layers and consider wearing a cap or visor to protect your eyes.
- Hydrate and fuel properly: even in cool temperatures, prolonged effort requires fluid and energy replacement. Use the aid stations strategically.
- Listen to your body: if conditions become tough, prioritise safety. It’s better to adjust your goal than to risk injury.
Get ready with SnapRace: your ally to improve
Training for a half marathon like Granollers demands planning and monitoring. SnapRace is an app designed for runners seeking to improve their performance through personalised plans, pace analysis and GPS tracking. With SnapRace you can structure your interval, hill and long sessions, receive real-time feedback and compare your progress with other runners. Download the app and discover how technology can help you reach your goals.
Final reflection
The Granollers Half Marathon 2026 proved that a passion for running transcends bad weather. With forty editions behind it, the race continues to reinvent itself while keeping its essence: a personal challenge within a community atmosphere. If you dream of taking part in future editions, start preparing today. And remember that every stride in the rain forges stories that will stay in runners’ memories.