Cursa de la Mercè

The Cursa de la Mercè is a 10 km road race through central Barcelona, held as part of the city’s La Mercè festival. It begins on Carrer d’Aragó near Pau Claris and concludes in Plaça de Catalunya, offering runners a city-centre course instead of a park loop or an out-and-back on the periphery. The event is primarily for adults; 16- and 17-year-olds may enter with signed parental or guardian permission. The route crosses some of Barcelona’s main streets: Aragó, València, Passeig de Sant Joan, Passeig de Lluís Companys, Pujades, Passeig de Picasso, Marquès d’Argentera, Passeig d’Isabel II, Passeig de Colom, Paral·lel, Floridablanca, Ronda Sant Antoni, Plaça Universitat, and Pelai before the final approach to Plaça de Catalunya. Recent events have attracted over 14,000 participants, with numbers reaching 14,500 and women comprising 37% of the field. The race also features a competitive aspect: Jimmy Whelan and Douae Ouboukir El Oihabi have set fast 10 km times here, with men’s and women’s course records broken on the same morning following a new course design.