Typical race-weekend conditions
Cool & dry- High / Low
- 11° / 2°
- Humidity
- 81%
- Rainy days
- 17%
Cold at the start. Bring throwaway layers for the corrals.
Averages from ~10 years of history around race day.
Know before you go
- ✈️ From London
- ~2h10
- 🕐 Time
- +1h vs UK
- 💷 Money
- £1 ≈ €1.17
- 🗣 Language
- Spanish
- 🌫 Air quality
- Good
- 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+
- Very welcoming
- 🛡 Safety
- Safe
Country-level indices: LGBTQ+ via Equaldex · safety via Global Peace Index 2025 . Air quality is recent PM2.5; money is indicative.
The course
The popular race starts on the wide Paseo de la Castellana in northern Madrid and drops through the city to finish inside the Vallecas football stadium. The course is fast and downhill-leaning, run in a raucous NYE carnival atmosphere.
Where to stay
Base yourself around Salamanca or Chamberi for easy metro access to the Castellana start, or central Sol/Gran Via for nightlife.
Getting there
Barajas (MAD) links to the centre via Metro Line 8 or the Cercanias train in about 30-40 minutes; a taxi is roughly 25 minutes.
That weekend
Bib collection runs at a city-centre expo in the days before; the race itself flows straight into Madrid's legendary New Year's Eve street party at Puerta del Sol.
Sample 4-day trip
Arrive, explore, race, then head home. A proper weekend, not a rushed fly-by.
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Day 1: Arrive
Fly into Madrid (MAD). Metro Line 8 or Cercanías reaches the centre in about 30–40 minutes. Public transport works well. Book a private transfer for late arrivals on NYE week.
Check into Salamanca, Chamberí, or Sol . The Castellana start is a Metro ride away.
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Day 2: Shakedown Run and Explore the City
Collect your bib at the San Silvestre Vallecana expo . Jog an easy shakeout in Retiro Park.
Afternoon for Prado tickets or tapas in La Latina. Save your legs and your voice: 40,000 costumed runners fill the Castellana on NYE.
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Day 3: Race Day
New Year's Eve race from Paseo de la Castellana to Vallecas stadium. Metro to the start works for most waves. The course is fast and downhill-leaning.
Afterwards, the party flows toward Puerta del Sol for the grape countdown. Pace yourself: this is a carnival 10K, not a morning time trial.
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Day 4: Final Day
Recovery brunch and a slow wander beat ambitious sightseeing after NYE. Metro or Cercanías back to MAD works, but leave margin.
Three nights turns San Silvestre into a Madrid NYE trip with a 10K in the middle.
