The capital city put on its finest display this Sunday to host more than 30,000 runners in the largest edition of the Movistar Madrid Half Marathon to date. Remaining true to its principles, the race embraced the city’s asphalt and traced out a monumental 21.097-kilometre course (certified by the RFEA), with both start and finish located on Paseo de Recoletos. It was a morning of high-level athletics, with favorable weather conditions from the early hours and a collective enthusiasm essential for the occasion. This Sunday, March 22, the event celebrated its silver anniversary after firmly establishing itself on the calendar over 25 years.

With more than 36% international participation and runners from all 17 autonomous communities, the Movistar Madrid Half Marathon ran through the city’s main arteries. It began along Paseo de la Castellana up to kilometre 5, where the course becomes gentler before descending via Bravo Murillo and Joaquín Costa to return to central Madrid. Puerta de Alcalá, at kilometre 14 and next to Retiro Park, marked the beginning of the final third of the race, where the route features its most iconic landmarks, including Gran Vía, Montera, Puerta del Sol, the Congress of Deputies, Plaza de Neptuno and Palacio de Cibeles.

On the competitive side, Levy Kibet Chematot showcased his class and claimed victory in this 25th edition with a time of 1:00:49, finishing one minute ahead of his main rival, fellow Kenyan Shadrack Kipkurui Kenduiywo (1:01:48). The men’s podium was completed by Ethiopia’s Berihun Moges Kedebe (1:02:08), making his debut at the distance. The top Spanish finisher was Juan Antonio “Chiki” Pérez—2024 half marathon champion and Joma team athlete—who crossed the line in eighth place with a time of 1:04:24.

The women’s race proved far more dramatic, with a leading battle that lasted almost until the final stages. Ludwina Chepngetich, in 1:08:30, defeated her compatriot Jedidah Chepkemoi (1:08:59) to secure her first victory in the Movistar Madrid Half Marathon. The third place went to another Kenyan, Caroline Jebet Korir (1:10:28). Among Spanish runners, Fátima Ouhaddou dominated, finishing fourth overall with a time of 1:13:52.

Esteban Patiño and Antía Castro win the ProFuturo race

Alongside the Movistar Madrid Half Marathon, the ProFuturo race celebrated its tenth anniversary. The 5-kilometre course ran through Madrid’s main streets and, as expected for such a short and explosive distance, was contested at a very fast pace. Victory was closely fought in both categories.

In the men’s race, Esteban Patiño took the win with a time of 15:29, ahead of Kike Guerrero (15:35) and Iván Eduardo Castro (15:58). The iconic Madrid athlete Chema Martínez, a regular at the event, finished fifth with a time of 16:43.

In the women’s race, excitement also lasted until the finish. Young Antía Castro won with a time of 17:45, just eight seconds faster than runner-up Inés Herault (17:53). Candela Blázquez completed the podium with a time of 18:04.