Half Marathon races near Zumaia

The Flysch Trail Zumaia is a trail running event held in Zumaia, on Spain's Basque coast. Participants can choose between a 14 km route and a 24 km route. The shorter race offers a straightforward way to enjoy the local trails, while the longer race is designed around the distinctive cliffs of the coastline. The 24 km course follows the high coastal cliffs for most of its length, with the terrain itself being the primary attraction, rather than urban environments or large venues. The event also directs spectators to optimal viewing spots, provides changing facilities, and shares practical travel and parking details for accessing Zumaia. Runners may use the occasion to explore the nearby Geoparkea area, with lodging and dining information available. The race documents its history through photo archives, news, and pre-event preparation sessions.

The Rural Kutxa Semi-Marathon de San Sebastian is a 21 km road race held in San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, within the Spanish Basque Country. It takes place in October, beginning at City Hall, and attracts approximately 5,000 participants, offering a large-city half marathon atmosphere without being an overwhelming event. The course remains entirely within the city limits, utilizing asphalt throughout, with no trail or rough terrain. Participants have 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the race, emphasizing the need for training even for those focused on finishing. Ayad Lamdassem's course record of 1:02:48 indicates the high speed of the leading competitors.

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.

Eltxo Trail is a mountain race held in Orendain, a small town in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country. It features a 21 km half-marathon-style trail route and a shorter 7.3 km option, with mixed team categories available for both distances. The local council, Orendaingo Udala, organizes the event, which has scheduled afternoon starts for the 21 km and 7.3 km races. The routes traverse Orendain and the surrounding areas of Abaltzisketa, Gaintza, and Baliarrain, characterizing it as a rural Basque hill race. Previous editions featured 20 km and 5 km courses, indicating a consistent focus on mountain running with adjusted distances. A local market in the town center during the race offers participants and spectators a chance to engage with Orendain beyond the event itself.

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.

The Semi-Marathon du Pays-Basque Donibane Hondarribia is a 21.097 km half marathon held each October, starting in Donibane Lohizune (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) and finishing in Hondarribia, on the Spanish side of the Basque Country. Its main draw is the border crossing: runners begin in France and end in Euskadi, with a course approved by both French and Spanish athletics federations. The route goes through Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Ciboure, Hendaye, and Fontarrabie before concluding in Hondarribia. The race is organized by the club Ur J, requires a medical certificate from participants, and provides each runner with a bib printed with their name. A portion of the race's income supports social causes, and the event causes traffic disruptions in several Basque Country municipalities on race day.

Hendaia Trail begins in Hendaye, a town in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques located at the far southwestern edge of the French coast. Situated in the heart of the Basque Country, it is the last coastal town before Spain, giving the race the distinct setting of a border town between the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains. This trail-running event offers two race options, designed for runners seeking a challenge beyond a flat road course. The routes guide participants up to the heights overlooking Hendaye and return through the town’s streets, incorporating flat sections alongside more demanding terrain. The course crosses both beach and mountain landscapes, and it winds through an area rich in Basque identity, diverging from a purely wild path. While the Basque Country hosts trail races year-round, this event was established as Hendaye’s inaugural nature trail race.

Senpereko Trail is a trail-running event in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, southwestern France. The main race is a 21 km mountain trail, held in March from the Ibarron neighborhood fronton, featuring approximately 1,050 to 1,070 meters of elevation gain. The event offers four distances: 10 km, 21 km, 42 km, and 80 km, covering a spectrum from a local trail race to a demanding day in the mountains. The 21 km route crosses hills, historic paths, pastures, and oak forests, with clear views of La Rhune and nearby peaks. Some sections might briefly enter Spain, reflecting the region's border character. SPUC Lasterka, a Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle club established in 2008, manages the race. The 21 km race holds UTMB Index status and attracts a significant number of participants for a local trail event, resulting in hundreds of finishers.