Palos de la Frontera Half Marathon 2027

Columbus’s ships left Palos de la Frontera in August 1492, and the organisers’ stated aim is for the half marathon to run through the town’s Columbus landmarks. The 27th edition, sponsored by the energy company Moeve (formerly Cepsa), starts at 10:00 on Sunday 18 October 2026 from the Plaza Pilar Pulgar, next to the bullring at the fairground. It finishes there too.

Two laps of Columbus country

Each lap leaves the square along Calle Rábida and Calle Colón and passes La Fontanilla, the well where the caravels are said to have taken on water. It then follows Avenida Plus Ultra and La Calzadilla, and the marsh trail (Sendero Marismas) to the Muelle de las Carabelas, with its replica ships. From there it passes the Foro Iberoamericano and the Plus Ultra monument at La Rábida, and returns to town on the La Rábida–Palos bike path and Avenida América. You run all of that twice.

Faster than it looks, tighter than usual

The finish closes 2 h 15 min after the start, earlier than the usual 2:30. The organisers’ ambulance and van follow the last runner at about 7:00/km. Drinks are at km 5, 10, 15 and 18 and at the finish.

The race’s history shows what’s possible. The fastest winning times are 1:09:42 (Manuel Ferraz, 13th edition) and 1:15:26 (Rosa Macario, 10th edition), and Igor Timbalari has won four times. In 2025, Alejandro Illán de la Cruz won in 1:14:29 and Paula Rodríguez in 1:31:54.

Entry for €3

Yes, €3. Entries are on Gesconchip until 15 October at 24:00, or until the 300 bibs run out. Every runner gets a technical shirt, a medal, fruit, a sandwich and water at the finish. Entries from 1 to 14 September were guaranteed their chosen shirt size, and later entries get whatever sizes are left. Finishers are entered into a draw for a trip.

Bibs and services

• Bib pickup: 14 and 15 October, 8:00–14:00 and 16:00–21:00, at the municipal sports centre offices, or race morning 8:30–9:15 at the start arch. Bring ID.
• Bag drop at the start and finish, and showers at the municipal sports centre.
• Trophies go to the top three overall and in each category, to local runners, to the top three Moeve employees, and to the three clubs with the most finishers.

The Huelva Half Marathon is two weeks later if you want a second race nearby: see Huelva Half Marathon.