Barcelona half marathon 2026 sells out and draws tens of thousands of runners

The Hyundai Mitja Marató de Barcelona, the city's half marathon, took place on 15 February 2026. Entries sold out ahead of race day, and the event brought tens of thousands of runners onto the streets of the Catalan capital, making it one of the largest half marathons in Europe.

The race is held every winter and has grown steadily over the past decade, attracting a mix of elite athletes, club runners and first-timers. Many participants travel from abroad, and the weekend has become a fixture in the calendar for runners looking for a fast, flat course in mild February weather.

The 2026 edition mattered because it showed how far recreational running has expanded in Barcelona and in Spain more generally. Demand for places outstripped supply, adding to pressure on organisers to manage crowds, logistics and city traffic, and reinforcing the sense of a running boom that also shapes the city's marathon, held each March.