On New Year’s Eve, Madrid will once again be in the spotlight thanks to the traditional San Silvestre Vallecana race. For a few hours, the city turns into a massive running track as tens of thousands of athletes and enthusiasts dash through the streets. Last year, over 42,000 participants lined up at the start, and organizers expect no less excitement this time around. Festive atmosphere, costumes, music, and a wave of emotions await residents and visitors in the capital on December 31.
The race course runs through some of the most iconic streets in the city. Participants start in the Chamartín district and finish in Vallecas, covering 10 kilometers on asphalt. It’s not just a sporting event, but a true urban carnival that brings together professionals and amateurs, adults and children, locals and visitors from other regions.
While some are prepping festive tables, others are lacing up their running shoes and putting on sportswear to end the year on a running high. For many, the San Silvestre Vallecana has become an essential part of New Year’s traditions, and for the city, it’s a test of its resilience and organization.
Start and schedule
In 2025, the race is once again split into two parts: the mass run and the international run. The first is open to everyone, and the second is for professional athletes. Both formats follow the same route, starting on Avenida Concha Espina and finishing in the Puente de Vallecas district.
The mass start is scheduled for 16:50 — handbike and wheelchair participants will be the first to begin. Ten minutes later, runners who can finish the course in under 50 minutes will set off. Other groups will start at intervals based on their stated finish times or lack thereof. The final wave will depart at 18:20. Professionals will begin their race at 19:55.
This approach helps prevent congestion at the start and ensures a comfortable race experience for everyone. Organizers remind participants to pay close attention to their wave’s schedule to avoid missing their start time.
Traffic and road closures
The San Silvestre Vallecana route runs along key thoroughfares in Madrid. Runners will pass down Calle Serrano, go past Puerta de Alcalá, cross Plaza de Cibeles, head onto Paseo del Prado, then through Plaza de Neptuno and Atocha before moving along Ciudad de Barcelona and Avenida de la Albufera. The finish line for the mass race is on Calle Candilejas, while professionals will complete their course at Estadio Vallecas.
Due to the event, city authorities are implementing extensive traffic restrictions. Starting at 15:00, road closures will take effect along the entire route and remain in place until late evening. Drivers are advised to plan alternative routes in advance and avoid trips through the city center whenever possible.
Special attention will be given to public transport: some city bus lines will operate on revised routes, and the metro will run at increased intervals. Officials recommend using the metro and avoiding personal vehicles in the downtown area.
Where to collect your race bib
All registered participants will receive race numbers and official T-shirts. These can be collected from December 26 to 30 at Rafaelhoteles Atocha (Méndez Álvaro Street, 30) between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. Organizers ask participants not to wait until the last day to avoid queues and crowds.
Due to the scale of the event, drivers are advised to use the M-30 and M-40 bypass roads to avoid traffic jams. The city center will be almost inaccessible for vehicles on race day, and parking lots will be overcrowded.
A celebration for everyone
San Silvestre Vallecana is not just a sporting competition, but a vibrant city event that brings together people of all ages and professions. Over six decades, the race has become a symbol of year-end festivities for Madrid. On this day, the streets fill with music, laughter, and joy as the city forgets its daily hustle and worries for a few hours.
On the evening of December 31, the capital will once again light up with color as thousands of runners deliver unforgettable emotions for themselves and the crowd. For many, this is the best way to welcome the New Year—moving forward, surrounded by peers and cheered on by the applause of the crowd.
