Every year since 1964, on the last day of the year Madrid has played host to the largest athletics event in Spain. One of the only four 10K races in the world to boast the IAAF Gold Race Running Label, the festive competition consists of two races, the fun run and the international race. The 2022 edition was, once again, a great success with over 41 thousand people taking part in the fun run. The international race, which featured some of the world's best long-distance runners, was won by Ugandan athletes Joshua Cheptegei and Bresca Chesang.
The event consists of two parts, the fun run (which anyone over 16 can take part in) and the international race, and is regarded as a fairly easy competition since 8 out of the 10 kilometres are slightly downhill. Although the fun run officially kicks off at 5pm from Calle Concha Espina it has a wave start, meaning runners start at different intervals (check times). The professional race, which is run by top international athletes, commences at 8pm and finishes in the Vallecas Stadium. The finishing line for the fun run is near the football stadium.
A few days earlier, on 26 December, the central Paseo del Prado holds the San Silvestre Mini for kids up to and including the age of 16.
san_silvestre_vallecana.jpg
