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Palma Marathon 2026: A Resident's Guide to Race Weekend on 18 October
The Palma Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday 18 October, starting from Parc de la Mar beneath the cathedral. The 10K sets off at 8:00, with the marathon and half marathon following at 8:05. Registration is sold out, so for most residents the weekend is about watching, cheering and planning around the route.
Officially called the TUI Palma Marathon Mallorca, this is the biggest running event in the Balearics and one of the best-loved dates in the island's autumn calendar. Whether you are running, supporting a friend, or just want to know which roads to avoid on Sunday morning, here is what you need to know.
The Palma Marathon 2026 at a Glance
Race day is Sunday 18 October 2026, with the start and finish at Parc de la Mar, right below Palma's cathedral. There are three distances: the full marathon, the half marathon and a 10K. The race is organised by Kumulus Active World together with Palma's Municipal Sports Institute, and it is a member of AIMS, the international association of marathons and distance races, with courses approved by the Spanish Athletics Federation.
The official website lists registration for 2026 as sold out. That is nothing new: last year all 9,500 places for the 10K and half marathon were taken well before race day, a sign of just how popular this event has become with runners from Mallorca and abroad.
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Race Day Schedule: Sunday 18 October
According to the official schedule, Sunday runs like this:
- 8:00: 10K start.
- 8:05: marathon and half marathon start.
- 9:00 to 14:00: runners' expo open.
- 11:45: 10K and half marathon awards ceremony.
- 12:15: marathon awards ceremony.
- 14:15: event closes.
If you are heading to Parc de la Mar to cheer, arriving before 8:00 gives you the best of the atmosphere, with thousands of runners lined up under the cathedral as the sun comes up over the bay.
The Weekend Before the Race
The Palma Marathon is more than a single morning. The build-up starts on Friday 16 October:
- Friday 16 and Saturday 17: race number pick-up and the runners' expo, both from 11:00 to 19:00.
- Friday 16 and Saturday 17: the Breakfast Run, a relaxed group jog with departures at 9:30, 10:00 and 10:30. It is not included in the race entry, so check the official site for details.
- Saturday 17: the pasta party from 12:00 to 14:00.
For visiting runners and their families, the weekend is a good excuse to spend a few days in Palma in October, when the city is lively but noticeably calmer than in high summer.
The Route: Palma at Its Best
The courses take in some of the most photogenic parts of the city. The marathon and half marathon head out along the Paseo Marítimo and the Camí de s'Escollera by the port, pass through the old fishing quarter of El Molinar and loop back through Palma's historic centre. Marathon runners complete a second lap, which includes an extra loop along Avinguda Gabriel Roca.
The 10K is a more compact city circuit, running through the old town past landmarks such as Plaça de Santa Eulàlia, Plaça de Cort and the Rambla before heading back towards the finish. The full maps, including PDF versions, are on the official schedule and maps page.
Where to Watch
The start and finish at Parc de la Mar are the obvious choice, with the cathedral and the old city walls as a backdrop. The seafront is another good spot, with long straight stretches where you can see runners coming from a distance. El Molinar, with its seafront cafés, is a relaxed place to cheer with a coffee in hand, and the narrow streets of the old town give you a close-up view of the runners as they pass.
The organisers publish their own list of recommended spots on the Hot Spots page of the official race website.
Getting Around on Race Morning
With the course running along the seafront and through the old town, parts of central Palma are closed to traffic on Sunday morning. If you are driving into the city from the southwest, allow extra time, and check Palma City Council's traffic notices in the days before the race for the exact closures. Public transport is a sensible alternative for spectators coming in from Calvià.
Once the last runners are through, the city returns to its usual Sunday rhythm, and October in Palma is ideal for a long, slow lunch on a terrace afterwards.
Why October Running Suits Mallorca
The October date is no accident. Temperatures are milder than in summer, the light is soft, and the island has plenty of room to breathe after the busiest months. It is exactly the kind of season that many of our clients tell us they value most about living here: the weather is still warm, the sea is still swimmable, and the calendar is full of sport and culture.
Running is a big part of island life. Palma already hosts a popular half marathon in spring, and in the southwest the seafront promenades from Palmanova to Magaluf and around the bay of Santa Ponsa are a favourite with local runners all year round.
Thinking About Living in Mallorca?
If an active outdoor lifestyle is part of what draws you to the island, we would be happy to help you find the right home. Imperial Properties has been a family-run agency in Santa Ponsa since 1985, and we work in English, German and Spanish.
Browse our latest properties for sale across Mallorca, call us on +34 971 692 434, message us on WhatsApp, or email help@imperial-properties.com. If you are thinking of selling, you can request a free property valuation.
