El Campello’s San Silvestre race sets its 2027 date

Plan your race pace

El Campello’s San Silvestre race will take place on Dec. 26, 2027, a confirmed date for the next edition of this popular event in the Alicante municipality. Available information points to a five-kilometer race, although the start time, final course and registration conditions for that year have not yet been published.

The date makes it possible to reserve the day, but it is too early to assume that the entire program from previous editions will return. The race is associated with the festive end-of-year season, and the 2026 edition was announced as a nighttime event. For 2027, however, organizers still need to confirm the practical details before runners can plan their participation with confidence.

Confirmed date and details still to come

The 2027 event is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 26. El Campello, in Alicante province, will once again host an event linked to the year-end running calendar. The distance listed for the edition is five kilometers, a common length for community races that can suit a range of participants, from those aiming to cover the course at an easy pace to runners looking to compete.

So far, there is no confirmed start time or specific address for the start and finish. The entry fee, registration window, bib pickup arrangements and any children’s races have also not been announced. These details can change from one edition to another, so information from 2026 provides context, not the 2027 race rules.

The date falls on a Sunday, a useful detail for planning travel and a day out with family, but it does not establish the race schedule. It is also not yet known whether the event will be held in daylight or at night, or whether it will use the location chosen for the previous edition. Until the official program is released, those specifics should be treated as undecided.

What is known about the distance and course

The distance announced for the race is five kilometers. On a course of that length, the experience can vary considerably depending on the route: running along broad avenues is different from navigating narrow streets, frequent turns or changes in surface. No map has yet been published for 2027, so there is no way to assess the elevation, number of turns or location of intermediate points.

Information from previous editions describes a mainly urban route on paved roads. That is a reasonable reference for understanding the event’s past character, but it is not enough to confirm that the 2027 course will be identical. The course map and organizers’ instructions will be needed to verify the surface, measured distance and any traffic restrictions.

A 5K often makes it easier to judge effort: runners can hold a steady pace or treat the event as a controlled workout, though that does not mean everyone should approach it the same way. Anyone returning from an injury, managing a medical condition or unused to intense exercise should adjust their effort to their circumstances and consult a health professional when appropriate. A festive atmosphere does not remove the need for preparation and caution.

The atmosphere of a San Silvestre in El Campello

San Silvestre races have a distinctive place on the popular running calendar. They are often defined by more than finishing times, bringing together runners keen to mark the end of the year as a group, participants in costumes and families who come out to cheer. Previous editions in El Campello have included Christmas-themed features and additional activities, although the 2027 program has not yet been detailed.

The 2026 edition, billed by organizers as the 12th nighttime San Silvestre, was scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 26. It included children’s races at 5 p.m. and an adult start at 6 p.m., as well as five-kilometer walking and Nordic walking options. Those times describe that specific event; they should not automatically be carried over to 2027, even though the date falls on the same day of the month.

The San Silvestre name does not require a race to be held on Dec. 31. The local history itself shows different dates: one edition was announced for Dec. 31, 2023, while the 2026 race was set for the 26th. The actual date depends on each event announcement, so the confirmed day for 2027 is more reliable than any general assumption about these races.

Registration, bibs and start times: what has not been announced

There is no confirmed public information about registration for 2027 in the available details. The opening date, entry fee, participant limit and available race formats are unknown. It has also not been specified whether children will have a separate fee or whether same-day registration will be available, both of which had specific arrangements in the previous edition.

For 2026, organizers said online registration with a reduced fee would remain open until 9 a.m. on Dec. 22. They also announced in-person registration up to 30 minutes before the start, at a cost of 15 euros for the race, walk and Nordic walking events, and 6 euros for children’s races. These are historical details and should not be treated as the 2027 fees or deadlines.

Bib pickup arrangements also remain unconfirmed. In 2026, organizers said bibs would be distributed on event day at a tent near the start area and recommended arriving early. For the next edition, runners will need to check whether that system remains in place, what identification is required and how late a bib can be collected. Wearing the bib visibly on the chest is usually a basic requirement in timed races, but the rules published for the 2027 event will take precedence.

What previous editions can tell us

The event’s continuity offers context, but each edition can bring changes to the schedule, route and services. Organizers described the 2026 race as the 12th edition and announced that the start and finish would move to the Town Hall square, beside the sports center. They also listed services including restrooms, bag storage, refreshments, medical assistance and timing. Those services were announced for 2026; they have not been confirmed for the next event.

That edition featured a five-kilometer race, Nordic walking and a walk, along with several children’s races over distances adjusted for age. A costume contest and category prizes were also announced. That program helps explain why the day could appeal both to people wanting to run and to those preferring to walk or accompany children, but it does not guarantee the same format will return.

Historical information also mentioned a fundraiser whose proceeds would go entirely to ASPANION. That was a notable feature of the 2026 edition, but there is no information confirming that the same charitable initiative will be part of the 2027 program. Fundraising, giveaways and prizes at community races depend on each year’s organizers, so it is best to wait for a specific announcement before associating them with a new edition.

Planning the day without confusing dates and conditions

With the date confirmed, the first practical step is to reserve Dec. 26 and leave room to complete plans once the schedule and exact location are announced. Those traveling from outside the municipality should avoid booking nonrefundable services based only on the start time used in previous years. The date does not confirm the full program, and changes to the venue or schedule can affect logistics.

Once the course is published, it will be useful to check the start, finish, road closures and surface. If the race keeps an urban paved route, regular road-running shoes will generally be more suitable than trail shoes, although the final choice depends on the course and weather. December temperatures can vary through the day; a light layer that can be removed as the body warms up is often more practical than overdressing from the start.

It is also worth considering which type of participation suits each person. A community race can be enjoyed by running, walking or accompanying children, provided those options are included in the announced program. Several formats were available in 2026, but the 2027 offering still needs confirmation. A sensible approach is to keep activity appropriate to individual fitness and adjust pace to the conditions, without turning a shared celebration into a requirement to compete.

El Campello as a December running destination

A race in El Campello can turn the event into a full-day outing, particularly for visitors from outside the municipality. A date close to the holidays invites people to coordinate travel with family meals, vacation plans and transport schedules. However, the 2027 start location is not yet known, so there is not enough information to recommend a particular accommodation area or accurately estimate the walk to the finish.

The 2026 edition placed the start and finish beside the Town Hall square and sports center. That location has not been confirmed for 2027. Waiting for the official course map before choosing accommodation helps avoid relying on an outdated venue. If the start is announced as central, public transport and walking may be convenient options; if the location changes, access and available parking will need to be checked again.

December weather is another factor, although a reliable forecast will only be available closer to race day. In a short race, cold is especially noticeable while waiting at the start and during the first few minutes. Bringing a layer to stay warm before running and packing dry clothes for afterward can make the day more comfortable, while still following any instructions from organizers.

A firm date, with the program still to come

The essential information for 2027 is enough to put the race on the calendar: it will take place Dec. 26 in El Campello, with a listed distance of five kilometers. Important details are still missing, including the schedule, course, race formats, fee and registration system. Distinguishing confirmed details from information carried over from past years helps prevent historical references from being mistaken for promises about the next edition.

The 2026 event provides a picture of a nighttime, family-friendly San Silvestre with activities beyond the main race. It is a useful precedent for understanding the event’s character, but it does not replace the 2027 rules. Once the official arrangements are published, runners will know whether the costume contest, children’s races, walk or Nordic walking return, and whether the services and start location remain the same.

For now, the strongest information is the date. The rest of the event will take shape through specific announcements from organizers, which will show how and when the race will be run. For a popular year-end event, those details are more than a formality: they turn a date saved on the calendar into a race ready to enjoy.