On Sunday, 19 April 2026, Paseo de la Castellana turned green once again. The 13th edition of Madrid en Marcha Against Cancer, organised by the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) under the slogan “Let’s take one more step”, brought together nearly 35,000 participants — almost 8,000 more than last year — making it the largest charity race in the capital. In this recap, we revisit the atmosphere of the day, the winning times and the social impact of the event.
A record-breaking green tide
From early morning, central Madrid turned into a true celebration. The start and finish lines were located near Plaza de Colón, and the course ran along some of the most iconic stretches of Paseo de la Castellana and Paseo de Recoletos. Entire families, groups of friends, cancer survivors and patients from the AECC’s Oncology Exercise Unit joined club runners and casual participants in a day defined by emotion and solidarity.
Authorities were also present. AECC national president Ramón Reyes and Madrid branch president Jaime Salaverri attended alongside representatives from the city council and the regional government. Both emphasised the importance of continuing research and humanising cancer care, while thanking the nearly 35,000 participants who supported the cause.
Well-known figures also showed their support, including ski mountaineering Olympic medallist Ana Alonso, tennis player Paula Badosa, TV presenter Cristina Pedroche and chef Dabiz Muñoz, who helped raise awareness and encouraged participants. Their presence highlighted that the fight against cancer goes far beyond sport and requires collective commitment.
Winners and standout performances
One of the most exciting moments of the morning came in the 10-kilometre race. Javier Martínez, from San Sebastián de los Reyes, took victory in 31:51, followed by Gabriel Muñoz (32:54) and Sergio Jiménez (33:47). In the women’s race, Ivana Zagorac — both researcher and athlete — defended her title, with Claudia Jalón finishing second and Laura López completing the podium.
In the 4.5-kilometre event — which many participants chose to walk — Florencio Arroba (13:58) claimed victory, ahead of Sergio Salinero (14:13) and Carlos Arroba (15:19). In the women’s category, Laura Molina (17:18) won, followed by Carmen Herrero (18:28) and Paula Martín (18:32). These results show that elite-level performances can coexist within a primarily charitable event.
While podium finishes made the headlines, most participants had a single goal: to contribute their steps to the cause. Many crossed the finish line alongside relatives battling the disease or in memory of loved ones. The group of AECC cancer patients received a special ovation, symbolising hope, resilience and collective strength.
Social impact and institutional support
The AECC emphasised that all funds raised will go towards oncology research and comprehensive support programmes for patients and their families. Companies such as Iberdrola, Mukua by Velilla Group, LVMH and several pharmaceutical firms supported the event as sponsors, while Telemadrid, EMT and Metro de Madrid contributed logistically. This combined effort demonstrates a strong example of public–private collaboration for a shared cause.
Beyond fundraising, the event also aims to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity in cancer prevention and recovery. During the day, speakers highlighted that regular exercise improves patients’ well-being and may reduce the risk of relapse. Our Spanish preview on SnapRace had already pointed out the accessibility of the course for both experienced runners and walkers, and the final participation numbers exceeded all expectations.
Tips for those planning to take part in 2027
If you’d like to experience this sea of green in future editions, keep these tips in mind:
- Plan ahead: registrations sell out quickly. Secure your bib early and tailor your training to your chosen distance (a competitive 10 km or a more relaxed 4.5 km).
- Train with variety: combine easy runs, interval sessions and strength training. An eight-week plan is ideal for the 10 km; four weeks can be enough for the shorter distance.
- Prioritise recovery: get at least seven hours of sleep per night and include stretching and mobility work in your routine.
- Share the experience: run with friends or join a club. Training and racing together enhances both the experience and the sense of solidarity.
- Use technology: the SnapRace app helps you track your training, follow routes and compare results with other runners. It’s free and designed to keep you motivated.
For additional inspiration, you can check out our guide to another major event, the Zurich Rock ’n’ Roll Running Series Madrid 2026, where you’ll find training advice that also applies to charity races.
With these guidelines and the strong sense of solidarity that defines Madrid en Marcha Against Cancer, we hope next year’s edition will be even bigger and more moving. Every step counts in the journey towards a cancer-free society — and you can be part of this green tide.