5K races near Cardedeu

The Metropolitan Sky Run Barcelona challenges participants to ascend the Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower, located approximately 15 minutes from Barcelona's city center. This is a vertical race, not a road race. Competitors begin at the building's base and ascend 569 steps, a climb of 105 metres across 29 floors. This event, now in its second edition, is one of eight qualifying races on Spain's CCV vertical-racing calendar. The ascent concludes at the tower's dome, offering 360-degree views of Barcelona and its surroundings. The race features an Open category and a Firefighters category, attracting both general runners seeking a brief, intense stair climb and firefighters competing in their specialized division. The primary draw is straightforward: rather than covering ground through a city, the entire challenge is concentrated into a single, steep ascent from the lobby to the summit of a notable hotel tower.

Fanny Sallés is Terrassa’s women’s 5 km road race, held in the city in early October. Known also as the Cursa de la dona de Terrassa, it is organized by the Associació Esportiva Mitja Marató de Terrassa. The race emphasizes women’s participation in sport, with a short distance suitable for beginners and experienced runners alike. The course is a central 5 km loop within Terrassa, identified in city information as taking place in Parc dels Catalans. A portion of each entry fee supports the Oncolliga Foundation, providing psychosocial care for individuals affected by cancer and their families. The race was renamed from the Cursa de les Dones to honor Fanny Sallés, Terrassa’s first female sports journalist, who managed sports reporting at Radio Terrassa-Cadena SER and passed away from cancer at age 57.

Cursa de les Batalles is a trail race in El Bruc, near Barcelona, on the lower slopes of Montserrat. The main race is a 10 km mountain run with about 400 m of climbing, and there is also a 5 km option with about 200 m of climbing. It is run in autumn and organized by the municipality of El Bruc. The route follows the Camí de les Batalles through the Natural Park of Montserrat, using trails and old paths linked to the Battles of El Bruc. Runners pass through heather and the sharp rock formations that make Montserrat so distinctive. The race recalls the local militiamen and guerrilla fighters who stopped Napoleon’s army, so the course is not just a hill run: it also points runners toward historical spots tied to the village and the mountain.

Beer Runners is a free popular street race in Barcelona, based at Parc del Forum, with 5 km and 10 km options. The concept is straightforward: run first, then share beer and tapas afterward. It attracts thousands of runners, and demand in Barcelona can move quickly, with an initial 3,000 bibs filling in under twenty days before organizers added more places. The course uses city streets rather than trails or track, and the series also takes place in other urban settings, often major cities. The movement began in Philadelphia, then grew around the social aspect of running as much as the workout itself. Club runners, casual runners, and people who mainly want a relaxed group morning all suit the format, because the finish-line ritual is part of the race: the post-run beer-and-tapa moment is treated as the third half of the sport.

The Mitja Sant Cugat is a long-standing half marathon held in Sant Cugat del Valles, near Barcelona. The primary event covers 21 km, with 10 km and 5 km races included in the same program. These shorter races are designated as non-competitive, ensuring the day accommodates participants not solely focused on achieving a half-marathon personal best. The course is noted in local race information as being exceptionally flat for the region, presenting a suitable option for consistent pacing or a runner's initial significant half marathon attempt. Club Muntanyenc Sant Cugat is the organizing body for this event. With considerable history, the race ranks among Catalonia's more established half marathons and holds a local standing as a competitive event of its kind.

Cros dels Arenys is a cross-country race held at Can Jalpí in Arenys de Munt, located inland from Arenys de Mar within Catalonia’s Maresme region. It is part of the Maresme Cross Circuit, a series of local cross-country races organized in autumn by Gesport and the Maresme Sports Council, with backing from municipal governments throughout the comarca. The Arenys race is coordinated by the town halls of Arenys de Mar and Arenys de Munt, Penya Apa Anem-hi, Gesport, and the Maresme Sports Council. The course is identified as the Maresme circuit at Can Jalpí, indicating a local cross-country event rather than a road race through urban streets. The participants include school-age groups like Under 12 and Under 16, alongside open and masters categories, with club athletes frequently appearing in the rankings. A convenient aspect of the broader circuit is the option for a single online registration to cover multiple races within the circuit, and participants retain the same chip bib for all events entered.

Cursa de Valldaneu is a 5 km running race in Sant Martí de Centelles, Barcelona province. Runners start at 9 AM from Plaça de l'Ajuntament, where bib pickup is available from 8 AM. The entry fee is 7 euros. The route climbs from the town square to the church of Sant Pere de Valldaneu, then returns downhill to the start point. The fee includes the bib, breakfast with botifarra or cheese, and a drink. Trophies are awarded to the top finishers; one reported edition had 35 athletes, with Francesc Marsol and Irene Domene winning.

Up Xic Trail is a November trail-running weekend held in Sant Hipòlit de Voltregà and Les Masies de Voltregà, near Barcelona, Catalonia. The event offers runners multiple options on hilly terrain: an 11 km trail with 500 metres of elevation gain, a 25 km trail with 1,300 metres of elevation gain, and a short uphill cronoescalada covering 4.5 km with 500 metres of gain. The event also provides combined formats for participants seeking two races over the weekend. The shorter combination links the 4.5 km climb with the 11 km trail, and the longer one pairs the same climb with the 25 km route. The 4.5 km option is also available as a non-competitive trail, indicating the weekend caters not only to long-distance runners but also to those desiring a steep, concentrated mountain effort without undertaking the full 25 km course.

The Milles Nocturnes de Cerdanyola is a family-friendly evening race in Cerdanyola del Valles, featuring children's races and a 5 km night run for adults. It takes place in November, with the start and finish on Santa Anna street, in front of the Can Xarau-Paco Arpide pavilion. The children's races occur in the early evening, and the adult 5 km begins at 8:00 PM. The main race follows an urban night course through Cerdanyola del Valles. Local runners and visitors participate, giving the event the feel of a town sports night rather than a specialist race meeting. Music and entertainment are present along the course, and the program concludes after the running with awards and activities for all ages.

5K10K Vic is a new urban road race in Vic, Catalonia, offering 5 km and 10 km distances, scheduled for November. The race begins in the morning from Carrer Josep Maria Pallàs and is open to participants aged 16 and older. Vic City Council, ETB Esport, and Club Natació Vic are organizing the event, following strong participation in the city's popular night race, Els 7 Portals - Vic. The route explores the southern part of Vic, avoiding a return through the city centre or sports complex roads. It passes through neighborhoods such as Santa Anna, Remei, Sant Pere, La Calla, L'Estadi, Horta Vermella, and Caputxins. The course was selected for its predominantly flat and fast terrain, making it appropriate for athletes aiming for a personal best and for local runners seeking a simple city race with a communal sporting spirit.