Madrid on April 26th, 2026
Source: https://rocknrollmadridrun.com/?lang=en
The Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid 2026 is taking place on Sunday, April 26, 2026. This event is one of Spain’s most iconic athletic celebrations, featuring roughly 47,000 participants across three different distances.
Quick Event Facts
| Distance | Start Time | Time Limit |
| 10K | 8:00 AM | 90 Minutes |
| Half Marathon | 8:45 AM | 3 Hours |
| Marathon | 8:45 AM | 6 Hours |
Key Locations & Logistics
- Start Line: Paseo de la Castellana (near Plaza de San Juan de la Cruz / Gregorio Marañón).
- Finish Line: Paseo de Recoletos (between Plaza de Cibeles and Colón).
- Expo/Bib Pickup: If you are looking for late bib transfers or info, the Runner’s Expo at IFEMA was open Friday and Saturday (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM).
The Route: “Rocking through the Heart of Madrid”
The course is famous for its lively atmosphere, featuring over 30 entertainment stages with live music.
- The Highlights: Runners pass through the city’s most monumental landmarks, including Santiago Bernabéu, Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace, and Casa de Campo.
- The Challenge: The Madrid course is notoriously “wavy,” with several undulations that require careful pacing, especially in the final third of the full marathon as it heads toward the Paseo del Prado.
Traffic and Travel Note
Since the race is currently underway:
- Road Closures: Major arteries like the Castellana-Recoletos axis and streets around the historic center (Gran Vía, Calle Mayor) are closed.
- Public Transit: Using the Metro or Cercanías (commuter rail) is highly recommended today, as many EMT bus routes are diverted or suspended until approximately 7:00 PM.
Result Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Madrid Marathon 2026
The 2026 Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid Marathon took place today, Sunday, April 26, 2026. The event saw over 45,000 participants across the three distances (Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K).
Here are the podium results for the elite categories:
Marathon Results (42.195 km)
Kenya and Ethiopia dominated the full distance, with Mike Chematot taking the top spot in the men’s race and Kena Girma leading the women’s field.
| Rank | Men’s Category | Time | Women’s Category | Time |
| 1st | Mike Chematot (KEN) | 2:08:45 | Kena Girma (ETH) | 2:25:59 |
| 2nd | Asefa Mengisa (ETH) | 2:09:05 | Amente Sorome Negash (ETH) | 2:27:42 |
| 3rd | Dechasa Alemu (ETH) | 2:09:10 | Leonida Mosop (KEN) | 2:32:48 |
Half Marathon Results (21.097 km)
The Half Marathon featured incredibly fast times, with the men’s winner finishing just four seconds over the hour mark.
| Rank | Men’s Category | Time | Women’s Category | Time |
| 1st | Victor Kipruto Togom (KEN) | 1:00:04 | Purity Gitonga (KEN) | 1:06:50 |
| 2nd | Charles Mbatha Matata (KEN) | 1:00:21 | Ftaw Zeray (ETH) | 1:06:57 |
| 3rd | Geofry Toroitich Kipchumba (KEN) | 1:00:44 | Glenrose Xaba (RSA) | 1:07:03 |
Key Highlights
- Massive Participation: All 45,000 bibs were sold out months in advance, marking one of the largest editions in the race’s history.
- Spanish Standouts: In the Marathon, Javier G.M. was among the top Spanish finishers with a time of 2:17:41. In the Half Marathon, Juan Antonio Pérez finished 9th overall (1:05:22) as the leading local runner.
- Course Conditions: The race followed its classic “rocking” route through the financial heart of Madrid and the iconic Cuatro Torres, finishing near the city’s historic center.
Note: For specific age-group rankings or to find your own chip time, you can check the official Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid app or the official website’s results portal.
The 2026 Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid featured dominant performances across the women’s elite fields in the Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K.
Here are the top finishers for the women’s categories:
Marathon (42.195 km)
Ethiopian runners led the pack in the full marathon, with Kena Girma securing the title.
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Time |
| 1st | Kena Girma | ETH | 2:25:59 |
| 2nd | Amente Sorome Negash | ETH | 2:27:42 |
| 3rd | Leonida Mosop | KEN | 2:32:48 |
| 4th | Zenebu Fikadu | ETH | 2:33:13 |
| 5th | Etenesh Lema | ETH | 2:34:00 |
Half Marathon (21.097 km)
The Half Marathon saw a very competitive race with Purity Gitonga taking the win in a fast sub-67 minute performance.
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Time |
| 1st | Purity Gitonga | KEN | 1:06:50 |
| 2nd | Ftaw Zeray | ETH | 1:06:57 |
| 3rd | Glenrose Xaba | RSA | 1:07:03 |
10K Results
The 10K distance saw a repeat of local success with Spanish standout Águeda Marqués continuing her dominance in the capital.
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Time |
| 1st | Águeda Marqués | ESP | 33:15 |
| 2nd | Marta Pérez | ESP | 33:40 |
| 3rd | Paula Herrero | ESP | 35:55 |
Notable Performances
- Spanish Representation: Outside of the 10K podium, Ana Losada (2:52:38) and the popular social media runner Estefanía Unzu Ripoll (2:58:22) were among the top Spanish finishers in the full marathon.
- Course Conditions: While Madrid is known for its challenging undulating profile, the cool morning temperatures (starting around 11°C) allowed the elite women to maintain a high pace through the Casa de Campo and the final stretch toward the finish line.
The 2026 Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid, held on Sunday, April 26, saw an incredible display of endurance across the streets of the Spanish capital.
Here are the results for the top male finishers in each of the three distances:
Marathon Results (42.195 km)
The full marathon distance featured a competitive battle between East African elites, with Kenya’s Mike Chematot pulling away in the final kilometers to secure the victory.
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Time |
| 1st | Mike Chematot | KEN | 2:08:45 |
| 2nd | Asefa Mengisa | ETH | 2:09:05 |
| 3rd | Dechasa Alemu | ETH | 2:09:10 |
| 4th | Samuel Tsegay | SWE | 2:10:12 |
| 5th | Naoufel Erraoui | MAR | 2:11:44 |
Half Marathon Results (21.097 km)
The Half Marathon was marked by an exceptionally fast pace, with the podium finishers all coming in well under the 61-minute mark.
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Time |
| 1st | Victor Kipruto Togom | KEN | 1:00:04 |
| 2nd | Charles Mbatha Matata | KEN | 1:00:21 |
| 3rd | Geofry Toroitich Kipchumba | KEN | 1:00:44 |
| 4th | Abebaw Desalew | ETH | 1:01:15 |
| 5th | Antony Kimtai | KEN | 1:02:09 |
10K Results
The 10K race saw a strong performance from local Spanish athletes, though the top spot was claimed by Kenyan speedster Hillary Kipkoech.
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Time |
| 1st | Hillary Kipkoech | KEN | 28:44 |
| 2nd | Carlos Mayo | ESP | 29:10 |
| 3rd | Sergio Paniagua | ESP | 29:52 |
Notable Highlights
- Local Standout: Juan Antonio Pérez was the top-performing Spaniard in the Half Marathon, finishing 9th overall with a time of 1:05:22.
- Record Attendance: The 2026 edition hit a new milestone with over 47,000 registered participants across all categories, making it one of the largest running festivals in Europe.
- The Course: Runners faced the “classic” Madrid challenge—a course known for its elevation changes, particularly the demanding final climb back toward the finish line near the Prado Museum.
