{"id":2134,"date":"2026-02-21T09:13:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T08:13:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snaprace.app\/blog\/?p=2134"},"modified":"2026-02-21T09:16:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T08:16:23","slug":"bidasoa-half-marathon-2026-course-schedule-favourites-and-tips-for-the-cross-border-race-between-irun-and-hondarribia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snaprace.app\/blog\/en\/bidasoa-half-marathon-2026-course-schedule-favourites-and-tips-for-the-cross-border-race-between-irun-and-hondarribia\/","title":{"rendered":"Bidasoa Half Marathon 2026: course, schedule, favourites and tips for the cross-border race between Irun and Hondarribia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bidasoa Half Marathon 2026: course, schedule, favourites and tips for the cross-border race between Irun and Hondarribia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bidasoa Half Marathon 2026<\/em> will take place on Sunday, 22 February<\/strong> and is shaping up to be much more than a race: it\u2019s a sports festival linking two cities, two countries and thousands of runners. Entries sold out at 2,450 bibs<\/strong> \u2014 41%<\/strong> of participants are French and 35%<\/strong> are women \u2014 and the event organised by Bidasoa Atletiko Taldea has become a must-do on the Spanish road-racing calendar. Below you\u2019ll find a complete guide covering the course, the schedule, the main favourites and practical tips to enjoy this almost flat half marathon on the Basque\u2013French border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A flat, cross-border course<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest attractions of the Bidasoa Half Marathon 2026 is its course. The 10K starts at 9:50<\/strong> and the half marathon at 10:00<\/strong> from Paseo de Col\u00f3n<\/strong> in Irun. From there, runners head through the city centre and the port, cross the Bidasoa River into Hondarribia, follow the bay, and return to Irun to finish in the central Plaza Urdanibia<\/strong>. The route is almost completely flat, certified by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, with minimal elevation gain \u2014 ideal for chasing a personal best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along the 21 km route you\u2019ll find drink stations every 5 km and a sponge station to help you stay cool. The organisers also provide pacers for different target times and a massage service at the finish. The time limit is 2 hours 30 minutes<\/strong>, so even novice runners will have plenty of time to complete the distance. Those taking part in the 10K enjoy an equally pleasant course that shares much of the route with the half marathon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record participation and solidarity: a race uniting two countries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The success of the Bidasoa Half Marathon 2026 can be measured in numbers. For the first time, the organisers increased the bib allocation to 2,450<\/strong>, and it sold out weeks before race day. Women make up 35%<\/strong> of the field and only 22%<\/strong> of entrants come from the Bidasoa region; most travel from France, other parts of Spain, or even abroad. This cross-border spirit turns the event into a true celebration of sport, with supporters cheering on both sides of the river. In addition, part of the proceeds \u2014 \u20ac2,500<\/strong> \u2014 will go to the \u201cVacaciones en Paz\u201d programme run by the Tadamun association, which enables Sahrawi children to enjoy holidays in Irun and Hondarribia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Favourites: elite runners chasing the record<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s edition features a strong elite line-up that should deliver excitement right to the finish. In the men\u2019s race, the standout is local star Iraitz Arrospide<\/strong>, Spanish marathon champion in 2019 and a Mediterranean Games silver medallist, who arrives in the middle of his build-up for the Barcelona Marathon. He\u2019ll be joined by Seville\u2019s \u00c1lex Gonz\u00e1lez<\/strong>, Donostia runner Andoni Acebedo<\/strong>, and young Navarrese talent Unai Arroyo<\/strong>, all with half-marathon bests under 1:04<\/strong>. In the women\u2019s field, the favourites include Ecuadorian Kathy Tisalema<\/strong> \u2014 winner of the 2025 edition \u2014 Basque athlete Elena Loyo<\/strong> (a Tokyo 2020 Olympian), Navarrese Maitane Melero<\/strong>, and Castell\u00f3n runner Ana Llorens<\/strong>. Their presence promises a thrilling battle that could bring down the course records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical guide: start times, bib collection and services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you already have a bib, note these key dates and services to avoid surprises on race weekend:<\/p>\n\n\n\n