The coincidence of an election day with major long-distance races poses a logistical challenge for cities, as for several hours it is necessary to guarantee both the progress of the events and the access of all citizens to their polling stations. Traffic closures and the usual circulation restrictions that accompany a race can hinder that access, especially when the route passes through areas with polling centers.
It wouldn’t be the first time. In 2019, the general elections coincided with the Behobia-San Sebastián, one of the most crowded races on the national calendar. The organizers had to design several ‘bypass’ on the route to allow runners to continue the test without blocking access to certain polling stations. The solution consisted of briefly diverting participants along alternative itineraries at certain points, thereby guaranteeing coexistence between the race and the election day.
On the upcoming November 29 there will be several races that must face a similar situation, some of them with thousands of participants. These are the main races on the calendar of the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation that coincide with the elections:
Seville Half Marathon
By far, it is the event with the greatest potential participation among all those that coincide with the elections. The organizers made available 20,000 bib numbers for the 2026 edition.
The race will cover 21.097 kilometers, with the start and finish at the Paseo de las Delicias. The scheduled time is from 9:00 to around 12:00, so a large part of the race will take place while polling stations remain open.
103 Allianz Jean Bouin
Another major event that will coincide with the elections is the 103 Allianz Jean Bouin, in Barcelona. The day includes the 10-kilometer and 5-kilometer races, as well as the various promotional events, and brings together approximately between 18,000 and 20,000 participants.
In terms of runner volume, it ranks among the most crowded events of that Sunday, and its route through Barcelona’s streets will require taking into account the usual traffic closures and restrictions. The organizers will have to coordinate the progression of the races with the access of citizens to the polling stations, especially in the areas through which the different routes pass.
40th Córdoba Half Marathon
The Córdoba event also marks a special edition: its 40th anniversary. The race is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 29 and has sold out its 7,800 bibs.
Its urban route traverses a large part of the city and finishes at the Puerta del Puente, so the overlap with the elections may require special coordination of traffic and access to the polling stations.
2nd Elche–Alicante International Marathon 42K
The second edition of the marathon that links Elche and Alicante will also take place on November 29. The race covers 42.195 kilometers, starting in Elche and finishing at the Port of Alicante.
The organizers already counted in June with more than 2,000 registered, against a planned cap of 4,000 participants. The route crosses both cities and combines urban and interurban segments, so the election day could add a significant logistical challenge.
From Santurce to Bilbao International Race
One of the Basque calendar’s classic races also coincides with the elections. The From Santurce to Bilbao will celebrate its 38th edition on November 29, with a start at 11:00 and a 15-kilometer course between Santurce and Bilbao.
As it is a linear event that connects two municipalities, the setup affects a particularly wide area and may require coordination with polling centers located along the route.
Cross Alcobendas–Community of Madrid
The RFEA calendar also lists the Cross Alcobendas–Community of Madrid – Memorial Antonio Rodríguez Benavente on Sunday 29 November.
Unlike road races, a cross held within a sports venue presents fewer issues related to traffic closures, although the coincidence with the elections can still affect organization and access for participants and the public.
XXVIII Trophy of Walking Cerro Buenavista
The election day also coincides with the XXVIII Trofeo de Marcha Asociación Deportiva Cerro Buenavista, included in the RFEA calendar.
The race walking thus joins the popular and road events that will have to coexist with a national election day.
3 Days Trail Ibiza – Ultra Ibiza
The Ibiza case is different because it is a multi-stage event. The 3 Days Trail Ibiza will be held from November 27 to 29, and the final day will take place precisely on the Sunday of the election.
The event offers different distances and formats, including 10 kilometers, half marathon, marathon and ultra, and the Sunday stage takes place in Santa Eulalia del Río.
What happens if a runner is assigned to a polling station?
The overlap of a race with elections also raises a question for participants. Being chosen to form part of a polling station is mandatory, unless there is a legal reason that allows exemption.
Having a race or a marathon on the same day does not automatically imply an exemption. In previous electoral processes, this situation has already occurred and it was analyzed what could happen when a runner had a race they had been preparing for months.
For now, the main challenge for organizers will be to find a way to guarantee the smooth running of the races and, at the same time, the access of all citizens to the polling stations. The Behobia experience in 2019 demonstrates that solutions exist, such as bypasses or targeted diversions, although their application will depend on the characteristics and routes of each event.