You may be surprised to hear that Ibiza is a very sporty island! There are Running Races in Ibiza or Formentera almost every weekend outside of the peak summer months - many of them are road races but the trail races on this green and hilly island are really special.
Some races have very generous prizes for top performers in their category, and the post-race food is often great! Entry costs are generally very affordable (a couple are even FREE!) and many races have events for kids and/or walkers.
Read our guide to the main Ibiza and Formentera Running Races that tend to take place each year between January and December (note that at the time of writing this article, it's too early to confirm some of them, so you should always check for the latest available information before making any travel plans!)
This article was written by Donna from Running Ibiza , a passionate runner, trainer and wonderful guide who takes part in many of these races.
A highly enthusiastic and qualified UK Athletics Run Leader, Donna Warren set up Running Ibiza in 2018. It aims to familiarise existing runners with less well-known sides of the island and to promote running among beginners, regardless of fitness level, age, size, shape or gender.
Running Ibiza offers a whole range of activities suitable for all levels of runners, from the absolute beginner to the veteran.
FEBRUARY
Carrera Solidaria Ruta 091 - 4 February
2024 is the first time this race has been held in Ibiza! The Ruta 091 races are a series of solidarity races organised by the National Police in different Spanish cities with the aim of fundraising for a range of causes. The event will include guide dog exhibitions and other police-related stuff! There is a 10k made up of three laps and a 5k made up of one and a half laps along the port of Ibiza. There are also shorter distances for kids and people with disabilities.
Cursa Flor de l'Ametller - 11 February
This really beautiful 7.5k race (plus shorter distances for beginners & kids) starts and ends in the picturesque village of Santa Inés, when the almond trees are in blossom - one of the most special times of year on Ibiza.
5k Ibiza Playa d'en Bossa - 18 February
Flat and fast 5k on the (closed) road to Salinas, turning back to Playa d'en Bossa when you reach Sant Francesc. With a cut-off time of 45 minutes, make sure to put your speedy shoes on!
MARCH
Cursa Per la Dona - SUNDAY, 10 March
This 2750m race (which you can run or walk) aims to promote and enhance sports participation amongst women, which we love! Only females can enter as individuals; however, men can enter as a pair with a female - the pair must finish at the same time. Starts and finishes in Ibiza Town.
Carrera Solidaria de la Mujer - Sunday, 17 March
An 8km race in Formentera which you can run or walk. All proceeds go to a national Spanish Cancer Charity. It starts and finishes in the capital, San Francisco, and the loop takes you to the picturesque park of Can Marroig.
Passeig a Passeig - Sunday, 17 March
This race is organised by Santa Eulalia council and there's something for all the family! It includes a 15km run, a 15km in-line skate (!), a 300m run (for toddlers with parents) and a 1500m run (for under 12s). There's also a non-competitive 8km bike ride. The 15km race leaves Ibiza Town and finishes in Santa Eulalia. All the other events start and finish in Santa Eulalia.
Cursa Trail Sa Talaia - Sunday, 24 March
Challenging trail run starting and finishing in San José and climbing Ibiza's highest point, Sa Talaia. You can choose from 20km or 8km, and the 8km can be walked if you prefer! Your entry money goes to a local children's cancer charity.
Cursa Patrimoni De Eivissa - Saturday, 30 March
A popular 10km race which runs through the UNESCO World Heritage Dalt Vila in Ibiza Town. There are two races for kids beforehand.
APRIL
Formentera All Round Trail - 6 and 7 April
This trail race runs along the coast of Formentera, and if you do the 74km, you'll run round the entire island! Its route is marked by sandy beaches, cliffs and rocks, and passes by its two most famous lighthouses: Cap de Barbaria and La Mola.
The full 74km can be done as an individual or in a relay pair. There are also races of 40.5km, 21km and 11km.
Ibiza Marathon “Run and Feel” - 13 April
This event is the jewel in Ibiza's running crown. It's an International Race, is very well organised and has a real party atmosphere - from the expo beforehand, to the supporters along the route. Plus you get a free ticket to a party that evening, normally held in one of the clubs in Ibiza Town!
Choose from three different distances: the Marathon starts in Ibiza Town, the 22km in Santa Gertrudis and the 12km in Santa Eulalia. All distances finish in Santa Eulalia. There are also kid's races in the morning, between 1500m and 250m for toddlers!
Cursa Popular Portus Magnus - 3rd or 4th Sunday in April
A family-friendly event along the coast of San Antonio. There's a 3km, a 400m for under 8s and a 1400m for older children.
Ibiza Media Maraton - 20 April
An International road race, the route of this half marathon takes you through picturesque places on the island from the town of San José to Ibiza Town, passing through iconic spots such as Cala Jondal or Sant Jordi.
MAY
1/2 Marató Popular de Formentera - 11 May
An international half marathon race on the beautiful island of Formentera - you can get there by boat from Ibiza in under an hour. Places are limited and it's so popular that you have to pre-register by mid-December and hope your name is pulled out in the draw for the places! (Therefore, it's sold out for 2024....) There's a half marathon and an 8k. Both races are `A to B´ routes, finishing in the port of La Savina.
JULY
Cursa Trail Sant Jordi - 1st Sunday in July
Amazing scenery on this tough, hilly 16km race starting and finishing in Sant Jordi, one of the most beautiful but little-known areas to run in Ibiza. Part of the course is known locally as 'el infierno' ('hell'), but don't let that put you off!
Milla Urbana + 5Km Es Pujols - 2nd or 3rd Sunday in July
If you like running in the heat, these races are for you! They are held in the town of Es Pujols, in Formentera. The mile race consists of two laps of an 800m circuit and the 5km race is six laps of the same circuit plus 200m. There are also shorter races for kids.
SEPTEMBER
Mini Maraton de Sant Bartomeu - 1st Sunday in September
The oldest race in the Balearics (2024 will be its 47th year!). A festival of eight races (4km & 2km for adults, shorter distances for kids) that takes place in San Antonio.
Cursa Popular Pla de Sant Mateu - Last Sunday in September
This 10km & 5km race starts and finishes in San Mateo, Ibiza's equivalent of 'wine country'.
Unfortunately, this is not the Médoc and there is no wine given out during the race, but if you return on the 3rd week of December, you can enjoy the free wine and sobrasada (sausage) at the annual Wine Festival!
OCTOBER
15k Formentera Night Run “Run and Feel” - 5 October
BRAND NEW RACE for 2024, organised by the same people as the Marathon on 13 April. As well as the 15k Night Run (which starts at sunset) there's also a 5k Sunset Run. The Night Run is a circular route from Es Pujols and the 5k goes from the Port to Es Pujols. You can register for the pre-list now.
Milla Urbana Isla de Ibiza - 1st or 2nd weekend in October
Now in its 40th year, this event takes place in San Antonio port. For the adults, there's a 5km and 1 mile race, and you can run both with one registration/chip. There are shorter distances for kids too!
Pujada A La Mola - 12 October
Another Formentera race, this 9.5km race starts in Es Caló de Sant Agustí and finishes in the village of El Pilar La Mola, the highest point on the island... There are shorter races for kids.
Cursa I Minicursa Popular Toni Costa Balanzat - 2nd or 3rd Saturday in October
A very urban 5.5k race takes place on the Ibiza Town ring road. There's a 400m and 1k race for younger runners.
Ibiza Trail Maratón - last Sunday in OCTOBER
This is an international race of various distances (marathon, half and 10k), all of which start and finish in San Antonio, and all have impressive elevation gains! The Marathon involves pulling yourself up a rope at one point!
NOVEMBER
Sant Carles Trail: 12km & 7km - 2nd Sunday in November
A very hilly race which finishes in San Carlos, where the entrants for the 12km start in pairs on the beach of Cala Boix according to their predicted finish time - in other words, a handicap race. The 7km starts in Es Pou des Lleó. The route takes you to a pirate watch tower, along the rocky coast, and then inland through beautiful woods. As well as prizes for the winners, there's a great raffle based on your bib number!
Cursa De Sa Sobrassada - 3rd Saturday in November
This half marathon relay race is held to celebrate the time of year when sobrassada sausage is traditionally made on the island. Sobrassada is a cured, raw sausage, made as part of the festive rituals that mark the coming of winter. It's very tasty on toast or in pasta. Anyway, there are four different categories for the team event, ranging from one to three runners and a mix of male/female/mixed teams. The course is a 1.5k circuit of Santa Gertrudis, and it's up to each team how many laps each runner completes.
The prizes for the winners are, of course, sobrassada sausages.... yum! A great race for friends and family to spectate, as they can sit outside Ulivans or Can Cosmi and watch you pass them several times!
DECEMBER
3 Días Trail Ibiza - From 29 November to 1 December
This event is a real test! Friday is a hilly nighttime race through the UNESCO site of Dalt Vila, taking you through the Necropolis and down to the coast behind Dalt Vila.
On Saturday, you have a choice of four different hilly trail races (from 10k up to a 72k Ultra), which all finish in San José and take you up to Sa Talaia, the highest point on Ibiza. Sunday is a hilly (!) 10k race around Talamanca, where the women start ahead of the men. You can participate on all three days, or just on Saturday. It's an incredibly well organised race, and your subscription fee includes free hot food and branded running kit.
Cursa Popular De Sa Salsa - 3rd or 4th Sunday in December
A 6km race that starts & ends in San José, and has shorter races for children within the football stadium.
Pujada a la Catedral - New Year's Eve
The last race of the year held on the afternoon of New Year's Eve, is FREE! And open to everyone aged 10 & older. It's short (2.3km) but very steep (which is why it's called "Ascent to the Cathedral"), starting in Ibiza Town Port & finishing in front of the Cathedral at the top of the UNESCO World Heritage site Dalt Vila. Although it's free, you must register in advance and pick up your number before the race. As well as the usual age categories, there's a fancy dress category, so it's worth going along just to see the outfits!
There are many more sport events taking place on Ibiza. Head to our event calendar and filter by 'sport' to see the ones Ibiza Spotlight has listed.
Photo credit | Hero image: Marta Bacardit
