The Salamanca Half Marathon 2026 took place on Sunday, 1 March 2026 and celebrated its 14th edition on a 21.097 km course through the historic heart of Salamanca. With a traffic-free urban circuit that blends heritage, mass participation and competitive racing, the event once again delivered a memorable race day. In this report we look back at the history of the event, how the 2026 race unfolded, who took the victories and why this 21K has a unique charm that draws thousands of runners year after year.
History and evolution of the Salamanca Half Marathon
The Salamanca City Half Marathon was created in 2013 by the Club Deportivo Popular Media Maratón Ciudad de Salamanca with support from the local council. In just a few years it has become one of Castilla y León’s most attractive 21K races thanks to its combination of a fast urban route and architectural heritage. The 2026 edition, with 2,300 entries sold out, confirmed that growth: the official website notes that the waiting list closed weeks before race day and that free guided tours were offered to runners and their companions, underlining the event’s festive and cultural character.
The course is certified and closed to traffic. The race starts on Paseo de la Estación and finishes in Parque de La Alamedilla. Over 21.097 km, runners pass broad avenues, residential areas and, most notably, Salamanca’s historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Running past the old and new cathedrals, Plaza Mayor and the Roman bridge turns the race into a sightseeing tour as well as a sporting challenge.
2026 race recap: drama to the finish
The gun went off at 10:30 a.m. on a cold but sunny morning, with the sold-out field out in force. From the opening kilometres, a lead pack of around ten athletes set a strong pace. Local reports highlighted the brothers Juan and Roberto Bueno, Daniel Ayuso, Javi Alves and Galician runner Iván Roade among the main protagonists. The race was decided on the demanding climb of Avenida de Doña Berenguela, where Roade surged and dropped his rivals. Running solo towards the finish along Calle Comuneros, he stopped the clock in 1:08:13. The sprint for second place was equally intense: Roberto Bueno edged Dani Ayuso by just one second.
The women’s race was more clear-cut. Local star Gema Martín Borgas controlled proceedings from the start and once again crowned herself queen of her hometown half marathon with a time of 1:17:51. It was her ninth victory in the race, underscoring her long-standing dominance. Cristina Giurcanu Mihartescu (1:19:28) and Verónica Sánchez (1:20:20) completed the podium.
Official results (2026)
Here is the men’s and women’s podium for the 14th Salamanca City Half Marathon, with official times:
| Position | Athlete | Time | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Iván Roade Lago | 1:08:13 | Men |
| 2nd | Roberto Bueno Losada | 1:08:18 | Men |
| 3rd | Daniel Ayuso Sánchez | 1:08:19 | Men |
| 1st | Gema Martín Borgas | 1:17:51 | Women |
| 2nd | Cristina Giurcanu Mihartescu | 1:19:28 | Women |
| 3rd | Verónica Sánchez | 1:20:20 | Women |
The full results, including category breakdowns and split times, can be consulted on the official timing platform. Even so, the podium alone reflects the race’s competitive level and its ability to attract strong runners from across Spain.
Course and atmosphere: running through history
What sets the Salamanca Half Marathon apart is its traffic-free urban course that combines speed with monumental charm. The start on Paseo de la Estación gives runners time to settle before entering the old town. After crossing the Enrique Estevan bridge, the route climbs towards the historic centre, offering standout views of the cathedrals, the university and Plaza Mayor. The toughest section is the Doña Berenguela climb, which often creates decisive gaps. From kilometre 16, the course trends downhill towards the Labradores neighbourhood and finishes in Parque de La Alamedilla, where hundreds of spectators cheer finishers home.
The atmosphere is one of the event’s biggest draws. The organisers hosted a runners’ expo at the La Alamedilla sports hall on Saturday, where participants collected their bibs and enjoyed a village with activities, music and brand stands. Official training sessions were also offered in the lead-up, and a free guided city tour took place the day before the race—turning the weekend into a complete running getaway. With all 2,300 places selling out weeks in advance, the event continues to grow, and women’s participation keeps rising thanks to initiatives such as a women’s team classification.
Tips for preparing for the Salamanca Half Marathon
If you’re thinking of racing Salamanca in future editions, tailor your training to a fast course with a couple of testing sections. These tips will help you get the most out of the experience:
- Build your aerobic base. Gradually increase your weekly mileage to improve endurance. A structured 12–14 week plan with regular long runs will prepare you to cover the distance confidently.
- Add hills and changes of pace. The Doña Berenguela climb and the old-town undulations demand strength and quick recovery. Include hill repeats and fartlek sessions to build power.
- Practise pacing. The race is often decided late. Learn to start controlled and, if possible, finish strongly with a slight negative split.
- Plan logistics early. Book accommodation in advance and collect your bib on Saturday to avoid stress. If the guided tour is available, use it to get familiar with the city and key areas of the route.
- Use technology as an ally. Apps such as SnapRace let you create personalised plans, log your training and analyse progress. Virtual challenges and leaderboards can add extra motivation.
Services and extras for runners
The organisers focus on delivering a complete experience. Beyond the city tour, expo and finisher services, this year they offered an official training guide led by coach Héctor Rodríguez Sánchez. These open, free sessions help entrants arrive in great shape on race day. The official website also publishes race rules, course information and, in some editions, partner-hotel deals.
After the race, many runners keep celebrating in the city centre. Salamanca’s bars and restaurants make it easy to toast your effort—and if you have time, visiting Plaza Mayor after dark is the perfect way to end the day.
Final thoughts
The Salamanca City Half Marathon 2026 once again proved that sport and culture can go hand in hand. Running through a UNESCO-listed city, feeling the crowd’s support and enjoying the organisers’ hospitality makes this 21K a standout event. If you’re choosing your next half marathon, consider adding Salamanca to your 2027 calendar—its history, atmosphere and athletic challenge are well worth experiencing. And remember: with the SnapRace app you can plan your training, share your results and relive the thrill of competition before, during and after race day.
Sources consulted: the race’s official website (Media Maratón Ciudad de Salamanca), a pre-race overview from Ruta Running (see article) and local coverage from Tribuna de Salamanca (Tribuna Salamanca).
Want another half marathon recap from the same weekend? Don’t miss our report on the A Coruña Half Marathon 2026 (A Coruña 2026 race report), which also delivered plenty of excitement.