Updated Sep 07 2026
The Cursa de La Mercè is one of Barcelona’s most important and best-known road races. It takes place every year as part of the La Mercè Festival programme and attracts thousands of runners to an urban course through some of the city’s best-known streets and avenues.
The Cursa de La Mercè 2026 will take place on Sunday 20 September, marking its 48th edition. The main race will once again be a 10K, starting on Carrer d’Aragó, near Pau Claris, and finishing at Plaça de Catalunya. The route introduced in 2025 will remain in place this year, replacing the traditional course that for many years featured Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina.
In addition to the 10-kilometre race, the programme will include a 2-kilometre Inclusive Race and a one-mile Family Race (1.609 km), so La Mercè’s sporting programme caters to runners of very different ages and abilities.
Cursa de La Mercè 2026: key details
Date: Sunday 20 September 2026.
10K start: 8:30 am.
Distance: 10 kilometres.
Start: Carrer d’Aragó, near Pau Claris.
Finish: Plaça de Catalunya, near Carrer de Bergara.
10K places: 16,000.
Expected total participation: 17,200 participants across all races.
€ 10K price: €5 charitable contribution, excluding the timing chip.
Proceeds go to: Pallassos Sense Fronteres.
Route: urban, 10 kilometres.
Cursa de La Mercè 2026: date, time and race categories
The 10-kilometre race will take place on Sunday 20 September 2026 at 8:30 am. The start will be on Carrer d’Aragó, near Carrer de Pau Claris, while the finish will be at Plaça de Catalunya.
The day’s programme also includes two other races. The 2K Inclusive Race is designed to make it easier for people with disabilities or reduced mobility to take part. It is scheduled to start at around 9:15 am.
The third option is the Family Race, a non-competitive one-mile event, or 1.609 metres, starting at 10:45 am in Plaça de Catalunya.
Race start times
10K: 8:30 am.
2K Inclusive Race: approximately 9:15 am.
Family Race: 10:45 am.
Cursa de La Mercè 2026 route
The current Cursa de La Mercè route is relatively recent. It was introduced in 2025 with the aim of bringing the race back to a more central part of Barcelona and replacing the traditional course, which for many years started and finished on Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina.
The same route will be used in 2026, taking in different streets in the Eixample and Ciutat Vella and passing some of Barcelona’s best-known urban landmarks. One of its main attractions is that it offers a 10-kilometre course through the heart of the city without leaving central Barcelona.
Map and full route of this year’s Cursa de La Mercè
Start
Carrer d’Aragó, near Pau Claris.
Finish
Plaça de Catalunya.
Distance
10 km.
Route: Carrer d’Aragó – Avinguda de Roma – Casanova – València – Passeig de Sant Joan – Passeig de Lluís Companys – Pujades – Passeig de Picasso – Passeig del Marquès d’Argentera – Passeig d’Isabel II – Passeig de Colom – Drassanes – Paral·lel – Entença – Floridablanca – Ronda de Sant Antoni – Plaça Universitat – Pelai – Plaça de Catalunya.
The start is on Carrer d’Aragó, near Pau Claris. From there, the race heads along Aragó to Avinguda de Roma, turns onto Casanova and continues along València until it reaches Passeig de Sant Joan.
The course then follows Passeig de Sant Joan and Passeig de Lluís Companys, alongside the Arc de Triomf, before heading towards the seafront via Pujades and Passeig de Picasso.
Runners then continue along Passeig de Picasso, Passeig del Marquès d’Argentera, Passeig d’Isabel II and Passeig de Colom, before reaching the Drassanes area.
From there, the route turns onto Avinguda del Paral·lel and continues along Entença and Floridablanca. It then passes Ronda de Sant Antoni and Plaça Universitat before joining Pelai.
The final section takes participants to Plaça de Catalunya, where the finish line will be located, near Carrer de Bergara.
Cursa de La Mercè 2026 registration
Registration for the Cursa de La Mercè 2026 opened on 23 June. A total of 16,000 places are available for the 10K, and registration is scheduled to remain open until 11:59 pm on 13 September, unless the participant limit is reached earlier.
Registration for the 10K costs €5, which is the charitable contribution. The cost of the timing chip must be added to this amount, where applicable.
The organisers offer different timing options. A timing chip is required to take part in the race and allows participants to check their finishing time and download their race certificate afterwards.
Race bib and T-shirt collection
The race bib, T-shirt and, where required, the white disposable timing chip must be collected before the race at the Fira del Corredor, located at the Pavelló d’Itàlia at Fira de Barcelona, on Plaça Carles Buïgas.
Race bib collection dates
When registering, you must choose the day and time slot for collecting your race materials. You will need to present your registration confirmation and attend during the selected time slot.
Thursday 17 September: 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Friday 18 September: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Saturday 19 September: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Cursa de La Mercè Family and Inclusive Races
One of the features of the Cursa de La Mercè is that its sporting programme goes beyond the 10K. The organisers also offer two other races to make the event accessible to people with different needs and goals.
2K Inclusive Race
The Inclusive Race covers 2 kilometres and is aimed at people with disabilities or reduced mobility who are unable to take part in the 10-kilometre race. Registration is free, but advance registration is required.
The start is at the junction of Carrer de Tamarit and Carrer d’Entença, and the finish is at Plaça de Catalunya.
Family Race
The Family Race is a non-competitive one-mile event, equivalent to 1.609 metres. It is designed as an opportunity to enjoy a sporting activity together as a family and has a much more relaxed atmosphere than the main race.
The start and finish are at Plaça de Catalunya, and the route passes through Pelai, Plaça Universitat and Ronda de Sant Antoni before returning to the city centre.
How to get to the Cursa de La Mercè start
As this is an urban race with its start and finish in the heart of the city, the best option is to use public transport. There will be road closures and traffic restrictions on numerous streets along the route while the race is taking place.
How do I get to the start?
The 10K starts on Carrer d’Aragó, near Pau Claris. The area is well served by metro and bus and can also be reached easily on foot from various parts of the Eixample and the city centre.
How do I get to the finish?
The finish is at Plaça de Catalunya, one of Barcelona’s main public transport hubs. Its central location makes it easy to continue your journey once the race is over. You can use the metro, bus, RENFE or FGC.
Is it advisable to go by car?
No. The streets along the route will be affected by the race and numerous traffic restrictions are expected. Parking near the start and finish may also be difficult.
History of the Cursa de La Mercè
First edition: The first edition of the Cursa de La Mercè took place in 1979. The race was launched by Barcelona’s first democratically elected city council with the aim of encouraging people to take up sport and bringing sporting activity into the city’s streets.
The race’s DNA: From the very beginning, the race was closely linked to the main festival of Barcelona and developed a strong community appeal. During the 1980s, it attracted around 20,000 participants on several occasions, a particularly significant figure for a race of this kind.
The route: The biggest change in recent years came in 2025, when the Cursa de La Mercè abandoned its traditional course, with both start and finish on Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, and introduced a more central route.
The new route starts on Aragó, passes through the Eixample, the Arc de Triomf, the seafront and Paral·lel, and finishes at Plaça de Catalunya. After being introduced in 2025, the same route is being used again for the 2026 edition.
A race that has changed distance many times
One of the interesting aspects of the Cursa de La Mercè is that the current 10-kilometre distance has not always been the standard. Both the route and the distance have changed many times over the years.
The race’s historical records include courses of 10.5 km, 10.8 km, 9.5 km, 8.5 km and even 5 km in different editions. The 10K gradually became the standard distance, although the route continued to be modified over the years.
When the race coincided with the Barcelona Half Marathon
Another unusual period in the race’s history came between 2001 and 2003, when the Cursa de La Mercè coincided with the Barcelona Half Marathon. During those years, both races shared the sporting spotlight in the city.
The situation later changed, and the Cursa de La Mercè gradually regained its own place within Barcelona’s festival programme.
A Cursa de La Mercè with a charitable purpose
The €5 charitable contribution included in the registration fee for the 2026 Cursa de La Mercè will be donated in full to Pallassos Sense Fronteres, a humanitarian organisation founded in Barcelona that works to improve the emotional wellbeing of children in situations of conflict, displacement or emergency.
Winners and historical records
The race’s long history has also produced an impressive roll of honour. Among the most notable names are Joan Viudes, who won the race several times during the 1980s and 1990s, and Núria Pastor, who recorded seven victories in the women’s category, including six consecutive wins between 1990 and 1995.
In more recent history, the 2025 edition was particularly notable: Jimmy Whelan set the men’s race record with a time of 29:07, while Douae Ouboukir El Oihabi set the women’s record with 33:39. Both records were achieved on the new course introduced that year.
Tips for taking part in the Cursa de La Mercè 2026
Plan ahead: Taking part in such a large race requires some planning, especially if it is your first time running the Cursa de La Mercè.
Arrive in plenty of time: It is best not to leave it until 8:30 am. You need time to find the correct entrance to the start area, locate your starting pen and, if necessary, leave your belongings or use the available facilities.
Collect your race bib before Sunday: Bib collection takes place during the days leading up to the race, allowing you to arrive on race day fully prepared.
Check the route before the race: Knowing where the main turns are can help you pace your effort more effectively and avoid surprises during the race.
Use public transport: With streets closed to traffic, travelling by metro, bus or on foot is much more practical than trying to reach the race by private vehicle.
Don’t forget your timing chip: The chip is compulsory for the in-person race and is the system used to record your finishing time.
Frequently asked questions about the Cursa de La Mercè 2026
When is the Cursa de La Mercè 2026?
The Cursa de La Mercè 2026 will take place on Sunday 20 September 2026.
What time does the Cursa de La Mercè start?
The 10-kilometre race is scheduled to start at 8:30 am.
Where does the Cursa de La Mercè start?
The 10K starts on Carrer d’Aragó, near Pau Claris.
Where does the Cursa de La Mercè finish?
The finish line is at Plaça de Catalunya, near Carrer de Bergara.
How long is the Cursa de La Mercè?
The main race covers 10 kilometres.
How much does it cost to take part in the Cursa de La Mercè 2026?
Registration for the 10K costs €5, excluding the timing chip.
How much does the timing chip cost?
The white disposable timing chip costs €2, including VAT. There is also a reusable yellow chip, whose number must be provided during registration. Certain participants can benefit from a special offer when purchasing the yellow chip.
When is the registration deadline?
Registration is scheduled to remain open until 11:59 pm on 13 September 2026, although it may close earlier if all 16,000 places are filled.
Is there a race for children?
Yes. The programme includes a one-mile Family Race (1.609 metres), which is non-competitive.
Is there an inclusive race at the Cursa de La Mercè?
Yes. There is a 2-kilometre Inclusive Race for people with disabilities or reduced mobility who are unable to take part in the 10-kilometre race.
Where can I collect my race bib?
The race bib and T-shirt can be collected at the Fira del Corredor at the Pavelló d’Itàlia at Fira de Barcelona, on Plaça Carles Buïgas, during the days before the race.
Where do the registration proceeds go?
The proceeds from registrations in 2026 will be donated in full to Pallassos Sense Fronteres.
Is a timing chip compulsory?
Yes. A timing chip is required to take part in the in-person race and is used to record your finishing time and download your race certificate afterwards.