The 27th edition of the orihuela monumental half marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 15 November, alongside the tenth edition of the 8K Caja Rural Central. Both events, organised by the Club Tragamillas, will commence at 10:00 from Avenida de España, near the Glorieta Gabriel Miró.
During a presentation, Víctor Sigüenza, the Sports Councillor for Orihuela, praised the longstanding tradition of this sporting event and the efforts of the Club Tragamillas in maintaining a competition that has now reached its 27th year. He emphasised the importance of promoting sports among the community, stating, “We love to see more people getting involved in physical exercise.”
One significant change this year is the earlier start time of 10:00, compared to the usual 10:30, aimed at avoiding higher temperatures during the latter part of the race. “This year’s start will be at 10 in the morning, with a joint start for both distances,” explained Francisco Belmonte, president of the Club Tragamillas.
This year’s event will prominently feature Orihuela's historical heritage. The design of the official poster and commemorative t-shirt showcases five key monuments: the Cathedral, the Episcopal Palace, the Colegio de Santo Domingo, the church of Santiago, and the church of Santas Justa and Rufina, with a portrait of the poet Miguel Hernández at the centre. This artwork was created by local painter Eva Ruiz, who has generously donated it for this occasion.
Belmonte noted that the choice of this imagery aims to connect the competition with the city’s historical and cultural heritage, as participants will run past the monuments depicted on the poster. All runners will receive the same commemorative t-shirt, regardless of the distance they compete in.
Eva Ruiz expressed her gratitude for having her work featured in this edition and highlighted the personal significance of the portrait of Miguel Hernández, which she described as the most important piece of her artistic career. “It is very emotional for me,” she shared, recalling her admiration for the Orihuela-born poet.
The half marathon, covering a distance of 21.095 kilometres, will primarily take place within the urban area, featuring three laps around a circuit that allows runners to pass by the five monuments represented on the poster, as well as other historic sites, including a section through the Palmeral.
José Caselles Serra, vice president of the Club Tragamillas, noted that the half marathon is classified as a national event and is included in the national calendar of the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, attracting federated athletes from various parts of Spain. The competition includes eleven categories, ranging from under-20 to over-70, along with general and team classifications. A total of €2,500 in cash prizes will be awarded based on the established classifications.
The 8K Caja Rural Central celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, introducing a new feature where all finishers will receive a commemorative medal, similar to that of the half marathon participants. This distance will maintain separate categories and prizes, but without monetary awards.
Gemma Fernández Rodríguez, director of Caja Rural Central, highlighted the organisation's commitment to supporting popular sports events, stating, “We view sports sponsorship not just as a collaboration but as a direct investment in health, personal achievement, and social cohesion.” She also noted the importance of the 8K as an accessible option for those wishing to participate in a competitive event without the full 21 kilometres of the half marathon.
Registrations for both events will remain open until Thursday, 12 November, at 23:00. Race numbers can be collected at La Lonja on Saturday, 14 November, from 10:00 to 13:30 and from 16:30 to 20:00, as well as on Sunday, 15 November, from 08:00 to 09:45, prior to the races.
The organisers will provide showers at the Palacio del Agua and offer various parking options, including those at the Ociopía shopping centre. More than 40 local police officers and over 150 volunteers will assist with the event, handling tasks such as set-up, race number distribution, participant support, and route monitoring. Civil Protection, local radio amateurs, and Red Cross medical services will also be involved.
Andrés Martínez Gumbau, territorial manager of Veolia in southern Alicante, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting the Club Tragamillas and this sporting event, stating, “We have been and will continue to be here for many years.” The organisers expressed their gratitude to the Orihuela City Council, Caja Rural Central, Veolia, the Alicante Provincial Council, Grupo Itevebasa, and all public and private entities contributing to the success of this sporting event.
Finally, they invited residents of Orihuela, the Vega Baja region, and the entire province to come out and cheer on the runners on 15 November, as athletics returns to the streets and major monumental sites of the city.
