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Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana
31 December 2026 · Madrid, Spain
new years eveiconicparty atmospherelargest in spain
The San Silvestre Vallecana is one of Europe's most prestigious New Year's Eve races, turning central Madrid into a sea of runners, costumes and street bands every December 31st. The course starts along the wide Paseo de la Castellana before narrowing through the city's eastern neighbourhoods and descending into the historic working-class district of Vallecas, which gives the race its name. The elite race traditionally draws world-class athletes (Geoffrey Kamworor won in 2025), while a massive popular race runs alongside it, with thousands of Madrileños and visitors dashing through the streets in New Year's costumes to live music and roaring crowds. With 42,000 participants in 2025 and 61 editions of history, it's long since become more than a race — it's Spain's signature ritual for seeing out the old year. Madrid's mild but crisp winter weather (around 5-10°C) and the evening start make for an unforgettable festive atmosphere.
Course records
Men
27:37
2024 · Jacob Kiplimo
Women
31:11
2025 · Marta García
Weather in December
3–10°C
cold, dry, evening start
December 31st in Madrid is typically cold and dry, with evening start temperatures ranging from 3 to 10°C — layering up is recommended.
Starter pack 2025
- bib with timing chip
- camiseta conmemorativa
- runner’s bag
- gorro de Papá Noel
The race pack traditionally includes a Santa hat — the race's signature accessory, worn by most participants.
Pacers & bib pickup
No pacers announced for this race.
Bib pickup
Hotel Rafaelhoteles Atocha, Calle Méndez Álvaro 30, Madrid
in the days before the race
Bib pickup runs December 26-30 from 10:00 to 21:00; runners need an ID and their email registration confirmation.
Registration opens
15 June 2026
Course map
Route not added yet
What’s nearby
Walking
Estación de Atocha — The historic station with a tropical garden inside, near the bib pickup area.
30 minutes
Museo del Prado — One of the world's great art museums, just minutes from Paseo del Prado.
2 hours
Toledo — A medieval walled city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, about half an hour from Madrid by high-speed train.
Dinner before the race
Don Giovanni by Andrea TumbarelloAn Italian restaurant near Atocha station, popular with runners for a carb-loading dinner before the New Year's Eve start.
After the finish
At the finish in Vallecas, runners are welcomed with a hot drink and a light snack to warm up after the evening race.
Reviews
El día que me hice mayor (blog corredor)2011
This isn't a race, it's a real human tide — a celebration for saying goodbye to the old year running through the streets of Madrid, and it's the sheer number of people that makes it special.
Registration open