San Silvestre Vallecana

About the Race

The San Silvestre Vallecana is much more than a race: it is Madrid's way of bidding farewell to the year on the run. Born in 1964 as a modest neighborhood event in the Vallecas district, it has grown into Spain's most famous popular race and one of the world's most prestigious New Year's Eve runs, drawing close to 40,000 runners to the streets of central Madrid every December 31st.

The event is split into two categories: the international race, reserved for elite and federated athletes competing at the highest level, and the popular race, open to all runners who want to close out the year in an active and festive way. The popular start is a spectacle in itself, with thousands of costumed runners, groups of friends and families creating a uniquely carnival-like atmosphere.

The course records are impressive and reflect the event's international status. Top African and European athletes flock each year, drawn by the prize money and the prestige of winning in the Spanish capital. The route, with a slight net downhill gradient, favors fast times, and sub-28-minute finishes in the men's category are not uncommon.

For popular runners, the San Silvestre Vallecana represents the perfect finale to a year of training. The evening atmosphere, with Christmas lights illuminating the course, live music on every corner and thousands of spectators cheering from the sidewalks, turn the 10 kilometers into an unforgettable experience that many repeat year after year.

Event logistics are impeccable despite the enormous volume of participants. Starting corrals are well organized by estimated pace, aid stations are plentiful, and the security and medical teams ensure every runner's peace of mind. After crossing the finish line, runners receive their commemorative medal with plenty of time to head home, shower and celebrate the arrival of the new year.

Route & Course

The San Silvestre Vallecana route starts from the esplanade of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on the Paseo de la Castellana and heads south through the heart of Madrid. Runners descend along the Castellana to the Plaza de Cibeles, turn onto the Paseo del Prado and continue along the Ronda de Valencia before reaching the Puente de Vallecas and the finish line at the Vallecas Stadium. The course is predominantly flat with a slight downhill tendency that favors fast times. The streets are wide and the road surface is in excellent condition. Aid stations are located at approximately kilometers 3 and 7.

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