Follow our advice and you will surely successfully complete the race!
On April 6th, the Movistar Madrid Medio Maratón will take place and, as the official technical sponsor of the event and an expert sports brand, Joma wants to ensure that you complete the test successfully. Additionally, this year it features a new route that is more central, faster, and more monumental, with 24,000 participants passing through it. Distinguished with the “Road Race Label” seal from the international federation World Athletics, it covers a total of 21.097 km.
That being said, we will explain all the details of the Madrid Half Marathon route to you, step by step, so that you know the key points, what each part is like, and the refreshment stations.
Exit – km 5
First of all, try to arrive at the starting point with enough time to warm up and get comfortably situated. The starting gun will go off at 9:15 am on Paseo de la Castellana, at the level of the Villa Magna hotel. Let’s go running!
And even though your body is full of adrenaline, remember to start at your own pace. This part is very important, given that the Castellana is as emblematic as it is tough, with 5 km of uphill where going out too fast can cost you the race.
🏃♂️💧Km 6 – km 10
At kilometer 6, you will have the first refreshment point. Even though this stretch is the most favorable of the race, don’t forget to hydrate because you will have a tough incline ahead. With a 40-meter negative elevation, lengthen your stride and enjoy Madrid, but save your energy because there is still a long way to go.
🏃♂️💧Km 11
Here is the most important supply point of the race. You have half of the kilometers behind you, so we recommend, apart from hydrating, taking a gel to recharge your carbohydrate levels. It is very important that you try it in previous training sessions to avoid stomach problems.
Km 11 –🏃♂️💧km 13
From km 11 to 14, you will be in another quite runnable area, although at km 13 there will be another climb that will take you past the Movistar Arena, where the third supply point will be located. Do not get too confident and remember to hydrate again. You can also take some salt tablets or isotonic drink to replenish the lost mineral salts during the race, especially on hot days when sweating is greater.
Km 14 – km 15
As you go down O’Donnell Street, enjoy, lengthen your stride, and recover. You will be about to enter a section that will be harder for you.
Km 15 – km 18.7
Once you finish kilometer 15, you will enter an uphill section. You will start a positive slope for a kilometer and a half along the Castellana and then continue going up, although with a slighter incline until kilometer 18.7.
🏃♂️💧Km 18.7
Last refreshment stop! Take the opportunity to drink more fluids. Although there is little left to reach the end, this is the part where cramps can surface and make you have a tough time.
Km 18.7 – Finish
This section allows you to lengthen your stride again and let yourself fall until you start the final climb up Gran Vía, perhaps the most emblematic area of the city. Once crowned, it’s time to descend to Cibeles, where you will already face the last meters until you cross the finish line on Paseo de Recoletos. Go all out to try to beat your personal best!
And once you cross the finish line, there is only one last piece of advice: enjoy what you have achieved while continuing to hydrate. Don’t forget to take some recovery.
Photos: Movistar Madrid Medio Maratón