On Sunday 18 October 2026, Ciudad Real hosts the 30th Quijote Marathon (Quijote Maratón), with three races: the 30th Marathon, the 15th Half Marathon and the 11th 10K. Here are the start times, course, bib pickup, prizes, records and tips for running or cheering it on.
The Quijote Marathon is Ciudad Real's popular marathon and one of the leading running events in Castilla-La Mancha. It has been held since 1996 and in 2026 celebrates its 30th edition with the slogan "Sancho, these really are giants…", a nod to Don Quixote's windmills.
It is organised by Club Quijote Maratón ADAD together with Ciudad Real's Municipal Sports Board. Its three races run on 100% urban, tarmac courses certified by the RFEA (Royal Spanish Athletics Federation) and are part of the federation's Official Calendar. The race is officiated by the Castilla-La Mancha Athletics Federation's judges.
The 30th-anniversary edition comes with record participation: twelve days before the race there were already 1,440 entries (290 in the Marathon, 638 in the Half and 512 in the 10K), with a maximum limit of 2,000 runners.
All three distances start together early in the morning on Sunday 18 October 2026.
Start of the reduced-mobility category, three minutes before everyone else.
Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K start together from Ronda de Calatrava.
The Marathon has a 5 h 30 min time limit; the last runner passes km 42 at around 14:07.
Award ceremonies: 10K from 10:30, Half Marathon from 11:00 and Marathon from 12:00. Trophies not collected on the day are forfeited.
The Quijote Marathon brings together three races on the same morning, for runners of all levels:
| Race | Distance | Edition | Time limit | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | 42.195 km (2 laps) | 30th | 5 h 30 min | 18 |
| Half Marathon | 21.097 km | 15th | 2 h 30 min | 18 |
| 10K (Diez Mil) | 10 km | 11th | 1 h 25 min | 16 (with consent) |
All three races are open to federated and non-federated runners, regardless of gender or nationality. 16- and 17-year-olds can take part in the 10K with written consent from their parents or guardians.
The start is on Ronda de Calatrava (junction with Calle Vicente Aleixandre) and the finish is on Calle Juan Ramón Jiménez, at the entrance to the Rey Juan Carlos I Sports Centre. The course is flat, fast and closed to traffic, ideal for chasing a personal best.
From Avenida de los Descubrimientos, the course runs along Luis Rosales, San Isidoro, Miguel Delibes and Severo Ochoa to km 4, then continues along José Castillejo and Ronda de Toledo.
Runners enter the esplanade of the Puerta de Toledo, the city's most iconic monument and one of the most photographed spots of the race.
The course heads back along the Puertollano road towards Alonso de Estrada and Avenida de los Reyes Católicos, with a dedicated carriageway, an aid station and a cheering point where runners pass each other.
Marathon runners complete two laps. The course is marked with a blue line on the road and signposted every kilometre.
Official map: the organisers publish the exact route of each distance, including aid stations, on the official Quijote Marathon website. Check there for any last-minute changes.
Bibs are personal and non-transferable and include the timing chip, which is mandatory.
From 10:00 to 21:00 at the Rey Juan Carlos I Sports Centre (C/ Juan Ramón Jiménez, 4). You receive your bib with chip and the runner's gift bag.
From 7:00 to 8:00, for bib collection only. If you can, don't leave it until the last minute.
Your registration confirmation or QR code (printed or on your phone) and your ID. If someone else collects it for you, they need a signed authorisation with your ID number.
After collecting it, scan your chip at the "chip check" point to make sure your details are correct. The bib must be worn on the front and be visible, without covering the sponsors' logos.
Registration is online only through the official website and closed on 11 October 2026: no later entries are accepted. These were the prices for the 2026 edition:
| Deadline | Marathon | Half Marathon | 10K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Until 31 July | 40 € | 20 € | 15 € |
| Until 11 September | 50 € | 25 € | 17 € |
| Until 11 October | 60 € | 30 € | 19 € |
Runners without a valid federation licence also pay a one-day licence (5 € for the Marathon and 3 € for the Half and the 10K). Runners who finished the 2025 Marathon had a loyalty price of 35 €. Registration includes accident insurance and is non-refundable except in justified cases of force majeure, when it is kept for the following edition.
Water, isotonic drink and fruit every 5 km in line with World Athletics rules, sponges every 2.5 km and solid and liquid refreshments at the finish.
Pacer groups for the Marathon at 3:00, 3:30, 4:00 and 4:30, and for the Half Marathon at 1:30, 1:45 and 2:00.
Next to the start, open from 8:00 to 15:00. The organisers recommend not leaving valuables.
Ambulances and mobile ICUs at strategic points, a field hospital at the finish and physiotherapy and podiatry after you cross the line.
The Quijote Marathon awards prize money in the Marathon and Half Marathon, as well as trophies by category and prizes for local runners and clubs.
Prizes of 1,000, 500, 300, 200, 100 and 50 € for the top six men and women. Places 6 to 15 get free entry to the 2027 edition. Minimum times are required to receive 100% or 50% of the prize money.
Prizes of 500, 300, 200, 100 and 50 € for the top five in the men's and women's overall rankings.
The men's record is held by William Ruto Cheboi (Kenya) with 2:17:33 and the women's by Gema Arenas Alcázar with 2:42:54. Anyone who breaks them wins a special 600 € prize.
The top three Marathon runners born or living in Ciudad Real receive 150, 100 and 75 €. The three clubs with the most finishers in each race win a hamper of La Mancha products.
Categories (men and women): reduced mobility (wheelchair), Under 23 (18–22), Senior (23–34) and Masters A to H, in five-year bands from 35 to 70 and over.
If you aren't running, the Quijote Marathon is a great plan for cheering. These are the best spots to watch the runners go by:
The atmosphere at the 8:30 start, with around 1,500 runners together, is one of the most exciting moments of the morning.
Runners passing the city's most iconic monument make for the best photo of the race.
An official cheering point and aid station where runners pass in both directions: you'll see everyone go by here.
The finish on Calle Juan Ramón Jiménez draws families and friends. The first 10K runners arrive around 9:00 and the first marathoners around 11:00.
That way you avoid queues on Sunday and can get to know the finish area and bag drop.
In mid-October, at 8:30, Ciudad Real can be below 10°C. Bring a throwaway layer for the wait and sun protection for the second half of the marathon.
Ciudad Real is less than an hour from Madrid by AVE high-speed train, and the organisers offer a Renfe discount for participants. If you come by car, park away from the course, which is closed to traffic during the morning.
After the race, there's nothing like migas, pisto manchego or lamb caldereta. See our guides to where to eat in Ciudad Real and what to see in Ciudad Real to round off your weekend.
Date: Sunday 18 October 2026 (30th edition)
Races: Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon (21.097 km) and 10K
Start: 8:30 on Ronda de Calatrava (8:27 wheelchair)
Finish: C/ Juan Ramón Jiménez, Rey Juan Carlos I Sports Centre
Bib pickup: Saturday 17, 10:00–21:00; Sunday 18, 7:00–8:00
Registration: closed since 11 October
Records: 2:17:33 (men) and 2:42:54 (women)
Organiser: Club Quijote Maratón ADAD · info@quijotemaraton.com
Official website: quijotemaraton.com
On Sunday 18 October 2026, starting at 8:30. It is the 30th edition of the Ciudad Real marathon.
No. Registration closed on 11 October 2026 and the regulations don't allow later entries or runners without a bib.
Yes. It is an urban, tarmac course certified by the RFEA with very little elevation change, making it a good race for a personal best.
Yes. The course is closed to traffic on Sunday morning while the race is on, with closures managed by the Local Police. If you need to get around the city, avoid Ronda de Calatrava, Ronda de Toledo, the Puerta de Toledo area and Avenida de los Reyes Católicos.
The organisers publish the Marathon, Half and 10K results on their official website, in the results section, along with the race photo gallery.
