San Silvestre Vallecana Internacional 2026

Night falls over Madrid on 31 December. The streets are still buzzing after the afternoon's celebrations, the crowds pack the pavements and, at 19:55, the big moment arrives: the San Silvestre Vallecana International. The world's athletics elite and the best amateur runners line up on Calle Concha Espina for the most exciting ten kilometres of the year, with a finish like no other on the grass of the Vallecas Stadium.Six decades of legendThe San Silvestre Vallecana was born in 1964, when Antonio Sabugueiro and a group of friends created a race to see out the year in Vallecas. In 2026 the International race celebrates its 62nd edition, and some of the biggest names in world athletics have raced its streets. In 1968, Tunisia's Mohamed Gammoudi, freshly crowned Olympic champion in Mexico, became the first international athlete to win it. Grete Waitz, Rosa Mota and Paula Radcliffe have also raced in Vallecas, and in 2006 Eliud Kipchoge crossed the line in 26:54. That same year the race overtook the legendary São Paulo San Silvestre in both registrations and international field.The race of recordsIn 2018 the San Silvestre Vallecana had its most historic edition: Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo, aged just 18, stopped the clock at 26:39, the fastest time in the race's history, and Kenya's Brigid Kosgei set the women's record of 29:53. A year later, in 2019, World Athletics awarded it the Gold Label, the highest distinction for road races. In recent years Spanish athletics has shone again in Vallecas: Mo Katir brought victory back to Spain in 2021 with the fastest time by a Spanish athlete in the race, and Marta García won in 2024 with the fastest Spanish women's time in the race's history, ahead of marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich, before defending her title in 2025 with an even faster time.A mythical course with a stadium finishThe certified urban course starts on Calle Concha Espina, at Plaza de los Sagrados Corazones. The race heads down Serrano and Plaza de la República Argentina to the Puerta de Alcalá, then follows Alcalá, Cibeles, Paseo del Prado and Neptune against the usual direction of traffic. It passes Plaza del Emperador Carlos V in Atocha and takes Avenida Ciudad de Barcelona and Avenida de la Albufera towards Vallecas. The final stretch runs along Monte Igueldo, Martínez de la Riva, Carlos Martín Álvarez, Puerto de Monasterio, Payaso Fofó and Arroyo del Olivar, lined with passionate crowds, into the Vallecas Stadium. The last 150 metres are raced on the stadium grass, a finish few races in the world can match.Only for the fastestThe International is an exclusive race, limited to 2,000 runners who must prove a time under 39 minutes for men and 45 minutes for women in 10 km road or track races validated by the organisation. There is a single start at 19:55, with corrals organised by time. The time limit is 45 minutes for men and 50 minutes for women, and official results use gun time. Runners aged 16 and over can take part, with authorisation for under-18s. The race is governed by RFEA and World Athletics rules and includes doping control.PrizesThe top five men and women overall receive prize money: €4,650 for the winners, €2,350 for second, €1,850 for third, €1,400 for fourth and €950 for fifth. Overall trophies are presented that same night at the Vallecas Stadium, and trophies go to the top three in each category, from under-18 to masters.What your entry includesRegistration costs €25 plus a booking fee and includes the commemorative Boomerang T-shirt, a bib with timing chip, accident insurance, water at the start and finish, medical services at the start, along the course and at the finish, a bag drop at the start with collection next to the stadium, a place in the official results and access to the Virtual race. Bibs and T-shirts are collected at the Runner's Expo from 26 to 30 December, on presentation of proof of your qualifying time. After the race you can download your diploma from the official website.Getting thereThe organisation recommends public transport. Metro reinforces lines 9 and 10 at the start (Santiago Bernabéu and Concha Espina) and line 1 at the finish, with Portazgo station next to the Vallecas Stadium.Running for a causeWhen registering you can make a charitable donation to childhood cancer research through the Intheos Foundation, or to support disadvantaged families in Vallecas through Avanza ONG.Registration has been open since 5 October 2026 and runs until places sell out or until 15:00 on 30 December.The night, the world elite, the grass of the Vallecas Stadium and a whole neighbourhood cheering: the San Silvestre Vallecana International is the grandest way to end the year.