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.
JANUARY
5km Ibiza Platja d'en Bossa
12 January - sold out
The first race of the year is a flat and fast 5km on the (closed) road to Salinas, turning back to Platja d'en Bossa when you reach Sant Francesc. Cut-off time of 45 minutes. So, put your speedy shoes on!
Pujada al Puig de Missa
26 January
This race starts on the Santa Eulalia seafront and finishes at the top of the hill to the church (the 'Puig de Missa'). There's an 11km trail race and a 2.2km road race, which is literally running up the hill to the church. Don't let it put you off, but the 11km version is named "extreme" on the booking website! There are also shorter races for kids.
FEBRUARY
10km Ibiza Platja d'en Bossa
9 February - sold out
An international road race recognised by RFEA and World Athletics, it starts at the top of the road to Salinas, goes to San Francesc, and then back past the start and through Playa d'en Bossa - all on closed roads. It's flat and fast! An opportunity for a PB, perhaps?! The cut-off time is 75 minutes.
Cursa Flor de l'Ametller
3rd week in February
This really beautiful 7.5km race (plus shorter distances for beginners and kids) starts and ends in the picturesque village of Santa Agnès, when the almond trees are in blossom - one of the most special times of year on Ibiza.
MARCH
Cursa Per la Dona
1st or 2nd Sunday in March
As part of the International Women's Day celebrations, this 4300m race has the objective of promoting and enhancing 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.
A separate, non-competitive Caminada per la Dona (Women's Day Walk) will cover the same distance.
Carrera Solidaria de la Mujer
2nd Sunday in 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. You have to enter in person either on the day or in a local sports centre beforehand.
Passeig a Passeig
2nd or 3rd Sunday in March
This race is organised by Santa Eulalia council and there's something for all the family! It includes a 15km run, a 15km 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 races leave Ibiza Town and finish in Santa Eulalia. All the other events start and finish in Santa Eulalia.
Cursa Trail Sa Talaia
3rd or 4th Sunday in 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.
Formentera All Round Trail
29 and 30 March
This trail race runs along the coast of Formentera, and if you do the 74km, you'll run around 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 40km, 21km and 11km.
Cursa Patrimoni De Eivissa
29 March
A popular 10km race which runs through the UNESCO World Heritage Dalt Vila in Ibiza Town. There are also races for kids beforehand, normally held in December, but this year moved to March for 2025.
APRIL
Ibiza Media Maraton
5 April
In 2025, this International road race will be held earlier than normal, on Saturday, 5 April. 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 places such as Cala Jondal or Sant Jordi. And the best thing is that the total elevation is downhill!
Ibiza Marathon “Run and Feel”
12 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.
MAY
1/2 Marató Popular de Formentera
17 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 2025....) There's a half marathon and an 8km. Both races are `A to B´ routes, finishing in the port of La Savina.
JULY
Cursa Trail Sant Jordi
June / July tbc
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! In the last few years it's been held in August, July and at the end of June - the date isn't confirmed for 2025 yet.
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
2nd or 3rd Sunday in September
The oldest race in the Balearics (2025 will be its 48th year!). A festival of eight races (4km and 2km for adults, shorter distances for kids) that takes place in San Antonio.
Cursa Popular Pla de Sant Mateu
3rd or last Sunday in September
This 10km and 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! Anyway, this is a beautiful race, highly recommended. There's also a rollerskate category!
OCTOBER
15km Formentera Sunset Run “Run and Feel”
11 October
This race was held for the first time in 2024, organised by the same people as the Santa Eularia Marathon on 12 April. The 15km is a circular route from Es Pujols and the 5km goes from the Port to Es Pujols. It really is beautiful to run alongside the lake with the sunset reflecting in the water. Last year, there was a free party in Es Pujols afterwards.
Milla Urbana Isla de Ibiza
1st of 2nd weekend in October - tbc
Now in its 41st year, this event takes place in San Antonio port – in the last 2 years, it's been on the first and the last weekend in October. For the adults, there's a 5km and a 1 mile race, and you can run both with one registration/chip. There are shorter distances for kids, too!
Pujada A La Mola
Always held on 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 5.5km race takes place on the Ibiza Town ring road. There's a 400m and 1km race for younger runners.
Ibiza Trail Maratón
25 October
This is an international race of various distances (marathon, half and 10km), 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 and 7km
16 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
2nd to last 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.
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 1.5km 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!
3 Días Trail Ibiza
Last weekend in November
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.
Saturday, you have a choice of four different hilly trail races (from 10km up to a 72km Ultra), which all finish in San José and take you up to Sa Talaia, the highest point in Ibiza. Sunday is a hilly (!) 10km race around Talamanca. You can participate on all three days or just one of them. It's an incredibly well-organised race, and your subscription fee includes free hot food and a branded running kit.
DECEMBER
Cursa Popular De Sa Salsa
21st December
A beautiful 6km race that starts and ends in San José, and has shorter races for children within the football stadium. After the race they serve the traditional-in-Ibiza Christmas “Salsa”, which is made of almonds and honey but apparently also chicken stock?!
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 and older. It's short (2.3km) but very steep (which is why it's called "Ascent to the Cathedral"), starting in Ibiza Town Port and 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 sporting 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
