The Movistar Semi-Marathon de Madrid begins on Paseo de Recoletos by the National Library, placing participants in the heart of Madrid from the outset. This April road race offers two distances: a half marathon and a 5.8 km event. The organizers designed it as a city tour on foot, making the route a journey past significant museums, plazas, fountains, gardens, and government structures, not merely a closed-course run. It attracts competitive athletes; the course records are 59:38 for men, set by Ronald Kiprotich Kirui, and 1:07:22 for women, by Winfridah Moraa.
The half marathon proceeds north from Recoletos, passing the Museum of Natural Sciences and the Ministry of Agriculture, reaching Plaza de Castilla before returning south on Bravo Murillo towards the Canal de Isabel II. The course then directs runners toward Puerta de Alcala and the edge of Retiro Park. It continues past a train station, Plaza Emperador Carlos V, the botanical garden, the Prado Museum, and the Neptune fountain. The finish is located near Plaza Cibeles and Plaza Colon, following a final northbound stretch described as a gradual incline near the end. Aid stations are positioned at 4 km, 10 km, 15 km, and 19.5 km, with a post-race buffet available.