The 34th edition of the Santa Pola International Half Marathon reaffirmed its reputation as Spain’s fastest 21 km race. A day after the event, we bring you a detailed recap of the results, standout performances and the factors that make this coastal course so quick. This article complements our comprehensive guide to Santa Pola’s half marathon in Spanish, where you can find route details, registration information and training advice.
Summary of the 2026 race
On Sunday, 18 January 2026, thousands of runners lined up in the Alicante town of Santa Pola to tackle a near‑flat circuit that invites fast running. Temperatures hovered around 12 °C with a gentle sea breeze, and the smooth organisation by Club Atletismo Santa Pola translated into elite‑level times in both the half marathon and the parallel 10 km event. Below, we dive into the podiums and main performances of the day.
Men’s 21K: Kenyan sweep and personal bests
The men’s race set off at a blistering pace. A lead pack of African runners and some of Europe’s best long‑distance athletes pushed the tempo from the start. In the closing kilometres, Kenya’s Brian Kibor broke away with an effortless stride and crossed the finish line in 1:00:49, underlining why Santa Pola is a magnet for fast times. Kibor owns a personal best of 58:39 and used his experience to time his surge perfectly.
Compatriot Simon Maywa held on until about 3 km from the finish but eventually settled for second in 1:02:59. Another Kenyan, Kipkandie Mkulia, completed the podium in 1:03:03. The top Spaniard was Luis Agustín Escriche, who placed sixth with 1:07:43, highlighting the growing competitiveness of local athletes on fast courses.
| Place | Runner | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Kibor | Kenya | 1:00:49 |
| 2 | Simon Maywa | Kenya | 1:02:59 |
| 3 | Kipkandie Mkulia | Kenya | 1:03:03 |
| 4 | Houssame Benabbou Azizi | Morocco | 1:06:55 |
| 5 | Simon Meganck | Belgium | 1:07:25 |
| 6 | Luis Agustín Escriche | Spain | 1:07:43 |
| 7 | Carlos Henrique de Souza | Brazil | 1:08:13 |
| 8 | Josep Torres Riera | Spain | 1:08:19 |
| 9 | Viktor Zackrisson | Sweden | 1:08:38 |
| 10 | Kamil Lesniak | Poland | 1:09:08 |
Women’s 21K: Daisilah Jerono’s commanding run
The women’s contest was also defined by speed and African dominance. Kenya’s Daisilah Jerono led from the gun and captured the win in 1:07:27. She was trailed by teammate Esther Chebet, who clocked 1:08:13 for second. Swedish veteran Hanna Lindholm rounded out the podium in 1:12:03. The best‑placed Spaniard was Cristina Juan Torres, fifth with 1:17:08, underscoring the strong presence of local women among the elite.
| Place | Runner | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daisilah Jerono | Kenya | 1:07:27 |
| 2 | Esther Chebet | Kenya | 1:08:13 |
| 3 | Hanna Lindholm | Sweden | 1:12:03 |
| 4 | Barbara de Koning | Netherlands | 1:15:32 |
| 5 | Cristina Juan Torres | Spain | 1:17:08 |
| 6 | Zoé Duigou | France | 1:17:42 |
| 7 | Inés Astrain Moreno | Spain | 1:17:58 |
| 8 | Tania Salamanca Ruiz | Spain | 1:19:31 |
| 9 | Liduina van Sitteren | Netherlands | 1:19:59 |
| 10 | Sara García Domingo | Spain | 1:20:12 |
10K results: speed on display
In addition to the half marathon, Santa Pola stages a certified 10 km race that starts early in the morning. The flat coastal route once again proved perfect for elite times. Kenya’s Jacob Krop dominated the men’s 10K with a stunning 27:46, ahead of Poland’s Sebastian Nowicki (29:34) and Finland’s Juho Ylinen (29:56). In the women’s contest, Clare Chemtai Ndwia stopped the clock at 31:32 for the win, with Sweden’s Carolina Wikström second in 32:24 and Hungary’s Smilla Szalkai third in 34:46.
- Men’s 10K: Jacob Krop (KEN) 27:46; Sebastian Nowicki (POL) 29:34; Juho Ylinen (FIN) 29:56; Jesús Ángel Rodríguez (ESP) 30:11; Alejandro Sanvalero (ESP) 30:27.
- Women’s 10K: Clare Chemtai Ndwia (KEN) 31:32; Carolina Wikström (SWE) 32:24; Smilla Szalkai (HUN) 34:46; Emilia Siltanen (FIN) 37:03; María José de Toro Sáiz (ESP) 37:22.
Why is Santa Pola so fast?
The Mitja Marató de Santa Pola is a favourite among runners seeking personal bests. The course starts and finishes on Calle Fernando Pérez Ojeda and follows the seafront promenade and coastal avenues, offering Mediterranean views and hardly any elevation. Participant numbers are capped at 7 000, which reduces congestion and allows athletes to settle into pace from the gun. January’s mild conditions on Spain’s east coast —cool temperatures and little wind— further encourage fast running.
Added to that is the expertise of Club Atletismo Santa Pola, which has been organising the event for more than three decades. Smooth logistics, aid stations every 5 km and enthusiastic spectators contribute to an enjoyable experience for elite and recreational runners alike. Since 2024 the half marathon holds World Athletics Road Race Label certification, drawing an ever‑growing international field.
Training tips for a fast half marathon
If you’re considering tackling Santa Pola in 2027 or a similarly quick half marathon, the key is to combine volume with quality. An eight‑ to ten‑week programme should include:
- Aerobic base: conversational‑pace runs of 6–12 km and progressively longer long runs up to around 18 km.
- Pace work: long intervals (2–3 km) at race pace and fartlek sessions to simulate changes of speed.
- Strength and technique: gym sessions (squats, deadlifts, lunges) and running drills to improve efficiency.
- Recovery: tapering in the final weeks and at least two full rest days before race day.
The SnapRace app can help you plan workouts, monitor pace and receive tailored reminders based on your goals. It offers level‑specific plans, results comparisons and a vibrant community of runners. Give it a try and see how your preparation improves!
Upcoming half marathons in Spain you shouldn’t miss
The 2026 calendar is full of attractive races. Next up is the Seville Half Marathon on 25 January 2026, featuring a redesigned course and space for 20 000 runners. A few weeks later, on 15 March, the 35th Málaga Half Marathon kicks off at 8:15 a.m. and has 10 000 bibs available. Both races are certified by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation and provide excellent opportunities to chase a personal best.
Check registration deadlines and plan your season well in advance. We’ll keep you updated on these and other events on our blog. If you ran the Mitja Santa Pola, share your experience in the comments and let other runners know your tips.
Ready for your next challenge? See you on the start line!