Half Marathon races near Sopela

Sorginen Lasterketa is a mountain race starting and finishing in Plaza de Axpe, Axpe, Atxondo, Bizkaia, at 9:00 AM. This Basque trail event is compact yet steep, offering a 21 km race with approximately 1,750 metres of climbing and an 11.7 km option with about 890 metres of ascent. Registration is limited to 350 participants. The main race includes four aid stations, is rated medium-to-high difficulty, and has a five-hour time limit. The longer route ascends Anboto, a 1,331 m peak that defines the race's sharp mountain character. The shorter route reaches the Larrano area, around 980 m. The participants include both skilled mountain runners and regular trail runners. The 21 km race is part of the Durangal series. The event, now in its later editions, is a well-established fixture in the Basque trail running calendar, maintaining a community feel rather than a large-scale event atmosphere.

The Bilbao Night Running Fest guides participants through Bilbao after dark, beginning at San Mamés and concluding at the Guggenheim. The event features two options: a 21K half marathon and the 10K Pirate Race, catering to those seeking a substantial city run or a brief evening challenge. The course follows a city circuit on major avenues, differing from a secluded out-and-back path. Pyrotechnics, live entertainment, and numerous onlookers contribute to a festive atmosphere, distinct from typical road races. The city's football stadium and art museum define the course's start and end points.

Txara Trail is a mountain running event in Markina-Xemein, Bizkaia, offering two race distances: a 17.7 km “mountain half marathon” and the 10.5 km Txaramotx run. The longer race involves 1,150 m of climbing, making it much steeper than its distance suggests; the 10.5 km option includes 600 m of ascent. The longer race starts in the morning, followed shortly by the shorter race. Walkers begin earlier on the same 10.5 km and 17.7 km routes. The event is part of the Bizkaia running calendar, attracting trail runners in the Basque Country seeking a challenging day in the hills around Markina-Xemein. The event also accommodates non-runners through walking options on the same two distances. Prizes are locally focused: winners receive a Basque cap and baskets of local products, with cash awards for the top finishers in the longer race and local-product baskets for the first local finishers. Practical arrangements include parking, showers, and announced route adjustments near the start and finish areas.