Valencia will once again become a massive track and field arena this Sunday, October 25, with the 35th Trinidad Alfonso-Zurich Valencia Half Marathon. This race has already established itself as one of the most important events on the international calendar and will bring together 26,500 runners this year, 300 of whom are elite athletes.
The Valencia circuit will once again be the epicenter of international track and field on a day when there is a strong possibility that the world half-marathon record will be broken again in both categories.
It wouldn’t be an unprecedented feat: the world record for the 21-kilometer distance has been broken five times in Valencia. Twice in the men’s category (in 2020 and 2024) and three times in the women’s category (2017, 2018, and 2021); the time set by Letesenbet Gidey in 2021 (1:02:52) remains the women’s record to this day.
But aside from international stars and track and field powerhouses, the Valencia circuit stands out for bringing together enthusiasts from every corner of the world (this year, runners from 132 different countries will compete) and for the festive atmosphere that fills the course and the entire city.
In the morning, the race; in the afternoon, the after-party
This year, the organizers have sought to expand the range of activities beyond the race itself and have scheduled the 21K Expo, an exhibition featuring workshops and conferences at Fira Valencia that will be open to the public on Friday, the 23rd, and Saturday, the 24th, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Race bib pickup, along with the runner’s bag and the wristband granting access to the starting line, will take place at this venue during the same hours.
In addition, for those who still have energy left after the race and want to cap off the day with a few drinks and some music, the 21K Valencia Medal Party will be held starting at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday on the terrace of L’Umbracle.
Route, traffic closures, and designated parking areas
The race starts at 8:25 a.m. from Avenida dels Tarongers near the Miramar Tower (the viewpoint roundabout), follows an almost circular course, and ends on the same Avenida dels Tarongers, near the Rastro de Valencia.
The course runs through much of the city center, passing through the following streets and avenues: Tarongers, Alfauir, Primat Reig, Cavanilles, Menéndez Pidal, the Les Glòries Valencianes Bridge, Gran Vía Ferran el Catòlic, Ramón y Cajal, Blanqueria, Town Hall Square, Xàtiva, Colón, Navarro Reverter, Jacinto Benavente, Paseo de la Alameda, Doctor J. J. Dómine, and Eugènia Viñes.
Although the race is on Sunday, road closures and traffic restrictions will begin on Friday, the 23rd, at 10:00 p.m. and will continue until Sunday, the 25th, at 9:00 p.m.; during this entire period, vehicles will be prohibited from traveling on Avenida dels Tarongers.
On Saturday, the 24th, at 10:00 p.m., Ramon Llull and Poeta Artola streets will be closed, with access restricted to garage entrances only. On Sunday, from 4:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., surface access to the roundabout at the intersection of Catalunya and Tarongers avenues will be closed, and traffic will be rerouted through the V-21 tunnel. Road closures along the rest of the route will begin on Sunday at 7:30 a.m., and traffic disruptions will continue until noon.
Parking restrictions will be in effect starting at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, the 24th, in Pla de la Saïdia, the city center, Paseo de la Alameda, Doctor J.J. Dómine, and the waterfront area. On Calle Colón, the restrictions also begin on Saturday, but at 10:00 p.m.
Five free parking areas will be set up to compensate for the closed-off spaces:
- Avenida Aragó: 395 parking spaces.
- Doctor Lluch: 165 spots.
- University of Valencia: 470 spots.
- Polytechnic University of Valencia: 680 spots. The University and Polytechnic University locations are open from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Arena Shopping Center: 1,250 parking spaces, free from 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Public transportation suspensions and detours
The EMT has changed the routes of 40 bus lines on Saturday, during setup, and on Sunday during the race. For the duration of the race, lines C1, C2, 19, 31, 40, 92, 93, 94, and 95 will be suspended. Service will be restored gradually, and it is expected that by around 8:00 p.m., service will be running normally in the Avenida de los Naranjos area. You can check all the route changes and alternate stops on the EMT’s official website.
The tram will not run in either direction along Avenida dels Tarongers between 6:40 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Sunday. Lines 4 and 6 will be suspended between Doctor Lluch and Pont de Fusta (starting at 6:30 a.m.) and between Marítim and Tossal del Rei, with both sections suspended until 12:00 p.m.
To get to the starting line, Metrovalencia has scheduled special trains in the hours leading up to the start of the race:
- Lines 1 and 2: from València Sud at 6:10 a.m. and 6:15 a.m., from Seminari-CEU at 6:45 a.m., and from Paterna at 6:50 a.m.
- Line 3: from Rafelbunyol at 6:48 a.m. toward Aeroport, and from Machado at 6:29 a.m. toward Torrent Avinguda.
- Line 7: service from Torrent Avinguda at 7:04 a.m.
