About this race
Benidorm's half is a favourite among club runners — pancake flat, well-organised, and with a legendary post-race party scene. Run past skyscrapers, palm trees and the twin bays before earning your medal and a cold beer on the beach.
The race
The Medio Maratón Villa de Benidorm is one of Spain's most PB-hungry halves, regularly awarding thousands of Boston, Berlin and London championship qualifying times. Around 5,000 runners take on the half and 10K, with an atmosphere that feels like a small city marathon.
The course
A two-lap course along the closed-off Avenida del Mediterráneo, connecting Playa de Levante and Playa de Poniente with the Rincón de Loix in the east. Effectively pancake flat — total elevation gain under 30 m — with drink stations every 2.5 km and DJ points at each turnaround.
Course
Flat, two-lap seafront
Elevation gain
<30 m
Field size
~5,000 runners
Distances
21.1K / 10K
The destination
Beyond the high-rises, Benidorm has a surprisingly charming old town, the Balcón del Mediterráneo viewpoint, and easy day trips to Altea (whitewashed old town), Guadalest (mountain village) and Terra Mítica theme park. British-run bars, tapas terraces and paella spots line the promenades.
Climate & race-day weather
Race day usually sees 10°C at dawn climbing to a very runnable 18–20°C by finish time. Winds off the sea are light and rain is rare in early November.
Getting there
Alicante (ALC) is a 45-minute transfer to Benidorm. Direct flights land from most UK airports year-round. A comfortable tram (TRAM Alicante line 1) also connects Alicante and Benidorm in around an hour if you want a scenic route in.
Trip highlights
- Pancake flat — bring your PB shoes
- Party atmosphere before, during and after
- Wall-to-wall beachfront hotels
- Great for running clubs travelling as a group
