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Cursa de la Mercè Bimbo Global Race
20 September 2026 · Barcelona, Spain
festivalparty atmosphereflatbeginner friendly
The Cursa de la Mercè is run every year as part of Barcelona's biggest city festival, La Mercè, bringing together more than 17,000 runners across the 10K, 2K and family race. After more than two decades on the same Avinguda Maria Cristina route, organizers moved the start to Carrer Aragó near Pau Claris, making the course more central, circular and sea-facing, with a finish at Plaça Catalunya. Entry costs a symbolic 5 euros and goes entirely to charity — in 2026 proceeds support child refugees. The race typically enjoys warm September weather and caps off Barcelona's running summer with a festive atmosphere, coinciding with La Mercè's street concerts, human towers (castellers) and fireworks. In 2025 the race saw absolute course records broken in both the men's and women's categories.
Course records
Men
29:07
2025 · Jimmy Whelan
Women
33:39
2025 · Douae Ouboukir El Oihabi
Weather in September
Late September in Barcelona is still warm and fairly humid; the morning start helps runners avoid the midday heat.
Starter pack 2025
- bib with timing chip
- commemorative item
- post-race snack
Since entry is a symbolic charity donation (5 euros), the starter pack is modest but includes a bib, timing chip and commemorative item.
Pacers & bib pickup
No pacers announced for this race.
Bib pickup
Barcelona (expo location announced closer to race day)
in the days before the race
Bibs can be collected in the days before the race; in 2026, pickup ran September 17-19 across several time slots.
Course map
Route not added yet
What’s nearby
Walking
Plaça Catalunya — The finish sits right on the city's main square, surrounded by shops, cafés and metro connections in every direction.
30 minutes
Barri Gòtic — The Gothic Quarter's narrow medieval streets are a 10-15 minute walk from the finish.
2 hours
Sitges — A seaside town with beaches and modernist architecture, about 40 minutes from Barcelona by train.
Dinner before the race
Woki Organic MarketAn organic restaurant near Plaça Catalunya serving house-made pasta and varied dishes — a convenient choice for a pre-race dinner.
After the finish
Water and light snacks await runners at the finish near Plaça Catalunya, typical of Barcelona's mass-participation races.
Reviews
Runnea2025
The new route through the city center turned out to be more scenic and faster than the old one; finishing at Plaça Catalunya adds a special sense of occasion.
Registration open