Murcia has just hosted one of the most high-profile sports initiatives of recent years — the ELIS El Valle Trail. This event not only strengthened the region’s position on the sports tourism map, but also demonstrated how local projects can attract international attention. This year, the course gathered the maximum number of participants allowed by environmental regulations and became a stage for new records and unexpected discoveries.
Organizers noted that 80% of registered runners were Murcia residents, reflecting strong local engagement. However, the event’s reach has expanded: athletes from five Spanish autonomous communities and guests from Germany and Norway took part. This level of interest shows that Murcia is becoming attractive not just to Spanish but also to foreign runners, which could boost tourism and the regional economy.
New generations
This year, special attention was given to young people. The Montevida campus hosted a KIDS race, where young athletes tried their hand on an adapted course for the first time. This initiative encouraged not only adults but also children to take part in sports, sparking their interest in active recreation and healthy living. According to russpain.com, such initiatives help form new traditions and strengthen ties between generations.
Women’s participation also emerged as a noticeable trend. This year, women made up 17% of the runners, with many traveling from other regions. This shows the growing interest in trail running among women, as well as the appeal of the challenging El Valle and Carrascoy routes for athletes of all backgrounds. Organizers note that the presence of women on the courses continues to increase, changing public perception of these competitions.
Partnership and support
The success of ELIS El Valle Trail was made possible by collaboration with local businesses and educational institutions. The main partner was El Limonar International School Murcia, which provided the venue for the start and finish. Other well-known brands from the region also joined the event, including UCAM, JOMA, Golosinas Fini, Grupo AMC Global, Vía Nature, Aqua Deus, ELPOZO, Kampamento Base, Pan Moreno, Ambex, and Grupo CIM Formación. This pooling of resources enabled organizers to deliver a high-quality race that was as environmentally friendly and safe as possible.
Local authorities supported the initiative as well. Municipal representatives stressed that such events help build a positive image for Murcia and draw attention to the region’s natural assets. According to them, ELIS El Valle Trail is becoming an integral part of the city’s sports calendar and helps to develop the infrastructure for outdoor recreation.
Winners and atmosphere
This year, the overall winners of the 26-kilometer distance were Alfonso Soler Montero and Tania Salamanca Ruiz, while the 18-kilometer race saw victories for Samuel Rodríguez Abellán and Araceli Guillamón Reverte. Their achievements resulted not only from personal training, but also from the support of fans and organizers. The festive atmosphere lasted all day: guests enjoyed entertainment programs, workshops, and traditional paellas, turning the sporting event into a family festival.
Experts believe that such events help popularize a healthy lifestyle and strengthen social ties within the community. In Murcia, interest in mass sporting events has been growing for several years, reflected in residents’ increased participation and the development of urban infrastructure.
In recent years, Spain has seen a rise in mass trail races, which are becoming not only sporting but also cultural events. For example, in Catalonia and Andalusia, such races attract thousands of participants and draw the attention of tourists. In 2025, similar events were held in Valencia and Galicia, where there was also an increase in the number of international athletes. These trends show that sports tourism is becoming an important part of regional development and is helping to create new traditions in Spanish cities.
