Alcobendas will welcome 2027 with its 5K and 10K San Silvestre

Plan your race pace

Alcobendas will see out 2026 on the run: the 19th edition of its San Silvestre race will take place Thursday, Dec. 31, with two distances, 5K and 10K. The start is scheduled for noon at the Valdelasfuentes Sports City, which will also host the finish. The route will be urban and on asphalt, making the event an accessible option for regular runners and for those who prefer a relaxed way to end the year.

Available information lists a €16 entry fee and confirms the event date, but does not provide additional terms, deadlines or possible distance-specific pricing. Nor is an official link included in the reference material. It is therefore important to distinguish published details — date, time, location and general route — from organizational information that may still be updated before race day.

A New Year’s Eve race with two routes

The Alcobendas San Silvestre has become one of the year-end road races in northern Madrid. In 2026, it will reach its 19th edition, a continuation that reflects a local tradition built around race numbers, shared streets and a familiar date on the calendar. It is not just another event in the middle of the season: part of its appeal lies in the ritual of ending December in motion.

The event offers two options, 5K and 10K. According to the available route information, the shorter distance uses the first five kilometers of the longer course and finishes at the same line. That structure allows people with different experience levels to take part in the same event without splitting the day into separate atmospheres or requiring runners to choose a race with a completely different profile.

The race is scheduled for midday on Dec. 31, giving participants time to run before New Year’s Eve celebrations. The published start time is noon; anyone coming from outside Alcobendas should plan to arrive early and check for updates on race-number collection, access or road closures before the event. Those operational details are not confirmed in the reference information.

What is known about the route

The course is described as urban and entirely paved. The 5K covers the first half of the 10K route and shares its finish line. In practical terms, those choosing the longer race will complete the full course, while the shorter option allows participants to run a shorter distance and use the same start and finish areas.

The start is at Valdelasfuentes Sports City in Alcobendas. Available information places the finish there as well and locates the course in the urban area of the city’s northern district. Specific streets and a detailed map for 2026 have not been provided, so turns, elevation changes or spectator points cannot be confirmed without adding details that are not published in the references.

A paved route is not necessarily flat or easy. Previous editions have been described as somewhat demanding, particularly the 10K, which repeats the initial five-kilometer course. That is useful context, not a guarantee that the 2026 layout will be identical: the exact profile and streets may change from one edition to another.

Start and atmosphere at Valdelasfuentes

Valdelasfuentes will be the center of the day, with both the start and finish located there. The Sports City offers a clear landmark for locating the race and bringing runners and spectators together before the start. Because the event takes place on the last day of the year, it has a different character from an ordinary race-day fixture, and participants often add festive touches to their outfits.

The previous edition advertised costume contests, prize drawings and awards, along with a runners’ bag and chip timing. These elements help explain the race’s popular, festive profile, but should not be considered confirmed for 2026 until organizers publish this edition’s program. So far, the 2026 reference information confirms the distances, start location and date, but not every side activity.

A New Year’s Eve race takes place in a city preparing for its own travel and celebrations. The area around the start may therefore be lively and family-friendly, though participants should follow any instructions issued for access and circulation. The experience is not only about running fast; it also depends on how the event shares urban space with residents and visitors.

Registration and published entry fee

The reference information gives the entry fee as €16. It does not specify whether that amount applies to both distances, whether the 10K will have a different fee, or whether there will be price tiers or surcharges. Registration opening and closing dates, bib availability and the sign-up procedure are also not listed, so those details cannot be presented as final.

Before registering, it is worth checking the current terms for this edition: what the race number includes, how it is collected, what documents are required and whether the fee has changed. Details such as chip timing, bag drop or a runners’ bag can vary between races. For this event, the only specific amount listed in the information reviewed is €16.

The 2025 edition had different prices depending on distance and published its own registration deadline, but those terms applied to the previous race. They cannot automatically be used to infer the 2026 price or schedule. An event’s continuity does not mean all its rules remain unchanged, so it is more reliable to separate previous-edition details from information announced for the new date.

Choosing between 5K and 10K

The shorter distance may suit people new to road races, those returning after a break or anyone who wants to focus on the day’s atmosphere. Because it shares the first part of the longer course, the 5K uses the same start and finish without requiring a second lap. That does not remove the need to match effort to personal fitness and the conditions on race day.

The 10K presents a greater challenge and requires runners to manage their pace for longer. In an urban race, participant traffic, turns and course variations can matter as much as fitness. Experienced runners may approach it competitively, while others may simply run for enjoyment; either way, it makes sense to avoid trying new gear or changing routines on race day.

The calendar also matters. A noon start on Dec. 31 places the race on a day filled with holiday plans and travel. Choosing a distance that fits one’s training makes it possible to take part without turning the morning into an unnecessary source of pressure. The best choice is the one that suits fitness and available time, not the one that looks tougher on paper.

Practical preparation for an urban race

Asphalt has a different impact from dirt paths or trails, and the 10K involves more time on one’s feet than the shorter distance. There is no need to overhaul a routine for a popular race, but it helps to arrive with a reasonable base and shoes that have already been tested. The final week is generally better suited to rest and familiar routines than to improvised sessions aimed at making up missed training all at once.

Dec. 31 may bring cold, wind or rain, although the specific forecast cannot be known this far in advance. A light outer layer can help runners stay warm while waiting at the start and be removed once they heat up. Clothing should also be comfortable and visible, especially if wearing a costume: safety and freedom of movement should come before any accessory that makes running or seeing difficult.

Hydration and food depend on each runner, the distance and the time of the race. A 5K or 10K usually does not require complicated strategies, but it is sensible to stick to familiar habits and avoid heavy meals before running. On a festive day, planning breakfast and travel ahead of time helps the race fit naturally into the schedule.

Getting there and planning the journey

The start location is Valdelasfuentes Sports City in Alcobendas. Available information does not include a full postal address, public transport directions, parking details or road closures for 2026. It is best to confirm these details once operational information is released, since access to a sports complex may be managed differently during a race than on an ordinary day.

Arriving with time to spare reduces the risk of reaching the start in a rush, particularly if runners need to collect a race number or leave belongings. It also gives them time to find entrances and understand where spectators and participants should go. Since the start is scheduled for noon on Thursday, Dec. 31, planning the journey early is more useful than assuming traffic will be normal for a weekday.

Those traveling from another town should remember that the date coincides with holiday preparations and seasonal travel. No specific restrictions or special transport services have been confirmed, so participants should not assume that additional options will be available. The safest approach is to check communications from the organizers and Alcobendas city officials as the date approaches.

A local sporting tradition

San Silvestre races have become a familiar way to end the year in many towns: they combine physical activity, social gatherings and a date shared by runners of different abilities. Alcobendas has its own event in that calendar, with an urban course starting at Valdelasfuentes and two distance options. Its continuation into a 19th edition in 2026 shows that the race is part of the city’s holiday sports schedule.

The value of a popular race is not measured only by the clock. For some, completing the 10K will be the main goal; for others, five kilometers will be enough to take part with family or friends. Costumes, if they return this year, add a playful element, but the main appeal lies in sharing the streets with runners who experience the race in different ways.

The event also requires coordination beyond those wearing race numbers. The reference information says organizers need volunteers for various tasks. Such work often supports understated but crucial parts of a race: giving directions, keeping people moving and helping the day run smoothly. The 2026 event date and location are confirmed, but volunteer requirements for this edition have not been detailed.

What remains to be confirmed before Dec. 31

The date, start time, distances and general location provide a clear basis for identifying the race. Important planning details are still missing, however: a full course map, affected streets, access instructions, registration terms and confirmation of side activities. Published information may be expanded as race day approaches, so 2025 conditions should not be confused with those for 2026.

The references also do not provide an official website or clearly state whether registration is open or closed. Confirmation of the date does not necessarily mean registration is already open or that the listed fee covers every case. That distinction matters to avoid travel or payment decisions based on incomplete information.

Based on what has been confirmed so far, the event will be an urban midday race with two routes and a base at Valdelasfuentes Sports City. The Alcobendas San Silvestre will once again take its place on the final day of the calendar with a mix of exercise and year-end atmosphere. Outstanding details will determine the logistics, but Dec. 31, 2026, is already listed as race day.

The year’s final kilometer on Alcobendas streets

The 5K and 10K options allow runners with different goals to gather at the same start line. On a date defined by celebrations, the race offers an active way to see out the year without making the sporting result the only reason to participate. The urban course and shared finish emphasize a collective experience as much as the chosen distance.

For 2026, the main details are clear: Thursday, Dec. 31, a noon start, Valdelasfuentes and two asphalt distances. The reference information lists a €16 fee, while other registration and route details remain unconfirmed. With those distinctions in mind, runners can add the event to their calendars and wait for final instructions before making detailed plans.