On the last day of the year, Madrid is preparing for major changes on its roads. The city will host the traditional San Silvestre Vallecana race, which annually attracts tens of thousands of participants and spectators. From early morning on December 31, traffic will be restricted or completely closed on more than twenty streets across the capital. Authorities strongly advise residents and visitors to use public transportation to avoid traffic jams and unexpected inconveniences.
Preparations for the event started the evening before: in some districts, construction of facilities began as early as December 30. The greatest inconvenience will affect drivers from 8 a.m. until midnight. As usual, the race is split into two parts—the mass participation event and the international competition. The route runs along the city’s central axis, passing through busy districts such as Chamartín, Salamanca, Centro, Retiro, and Puente de Vallecas.
Schedule and route
At 16:50, the 48th mass San Silvestre Vallecana race will kick off, with up to 40,000 runners expected. After it finishes, at 19:55, the 61st international race will begin, featuring two thousand professional athletes. Both races follow a similar route: starting at avenida de Concha Espina and finishing in the Vallecas district. The strictest traffic restrictions are expected in this area.
The streets that will be closed to cars include Serrano, Alcalá, paseo del Prado, avenida de Ciudad de Barcelona, and avenida de la Albufera. Key squares where traffic will be restricted or blocked are plaza de la República Argentina, plaza de la Independencia, Cibeles, Atocha, and Cánovas del Castillo. Additional restrictions will affect nearby streets both in the starting area near the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and at the finish zone by Vallecas stadium.
Traffic restrictions in neighborhoods
In Chamartín, from Tuesday evening through late Wednesday night, traffic will be limited on avenida Concha Espina between plaza de los Sagrados Corazones and Serrano. The affected streets also include Rafael Salgado, Padre Damián, paseo de la Habana, and Marceliano Santa María. Separate lanes will be reserved for local residents, garage owners, and emergency services, but overall traffic will be severely disrupted.
The situation in Puente de Vallecas is even more challenging. Streets that will be closed here include Candilejas, Payaso Fofó, Arroyo del Olivar, Javier de Miguel, Martínez de la Riva, and Sierra del Cadí. Traffic under the Vallecas bridge will be completely stopped from 14:30 to 22:00. However, access to the M-30 will remain open unless emergencies arise.
Parking and public transport
Parking will be prohibited in the start and finish zones as well as along the route. On some streets, such as Avenida Payaso Fofó, restrictions will remain in place until January 2. Residents should pay special attention to avoid fines or having their car towed.
Public transport will also adjust for the event. As many as 56 EMT bus routes will be rerouted from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with some starting earlier due to preparations for the race. Several BiciMAD city bike stations located on Serrano, Avenida de La Habana, and Plaza República Argentina will be temporarily closed.
Recommendations for residents
Those who need to travel around the city or leave it are advised to use bypass roads — M-30 and M-40. It is better to plan any trips in advance to avoid getting stuck in traffic. Once the race is over and the structures are dismantled, traffic will gradually return to normal.
