San Martiño debuts new route with 11,057 entrants in Ourense

The 49th Carreira do San Martiño takes place on Sunday 8 November in Ourense with a record 11,057 entrants, according to the city council. The race debuts a new route, increases its prize money and features an elite field, while a police union has questioned the safety arrangements.

The main race will start at 11.00 from the Ponte do Milenio. The school, children’s and inclusive races will start from the same point throughout the day.

Entry record and more prize money

The city council says the announced figure is the highest since 2012, when the race began charging an entry fee. This edition also increases the prize money and strengthens the involvement of the city’s schools.

The main race has 4,063 entrants. The Under-18, Under-16 and Under-14 races have a combined 2,926; the Under-12 and Under-10 categories have 2,073; and the inclusive race has 1,995.

Timetable and new route through Ourense

The new main race route will pass along Avenida de Marín, Ponte Nova, the Curros Enríquez roundabout, Praza Maior and Progreso. The finish will be in Praza de Concepción Arenal.

After the main race, the school race for the Under-18, Under-16 and Under-14 categories will start at 12.10. The children’s race will start at 13.10 and the inclusive race at 13.20; their routes will pass along Avenida das Caldas and Ponte Romana.

2025 winners in the elite field

David de la Fuente and Ester Navarrete, winners of the 2025 edition, are in the field. De la Fuente is also the reigning Galician champion and has twice finished runner-up at the Spanish 5 km championships, as well as winning national silver in the 5,000 metres on the track.

The field includes Abdessamad Oukhelfen, Spanish 10 km champion and two-time European cross-country champion with the Spanish team. Pablo Sánchez, Spanish 5 km champion and European half marathon silver medallist, will also compete.

Other announced athletes include Kiros Muaz, Ethiopian 10,000 metres track champion with a half marathon time of 1:09:09, and Hana Mekonin, who has a personal best of 4:04 in the 1,500 metres on the track.

Police union questions safety

The Sindicato Profesional de Policías Municipales de España maintains that the available personnel are insufficient to guarantee the safety of the race. It also warns that assigning them to the event could leave other services understaffed and delay responses to emergencies.

The union is calling on the local police leadership to issue an unfavourable report recommending against holding the race. It also warns that it will refer the case to the Fiscalía Superior de Galicia if the race is not suspended or the report is not issued.