Media Maratón por la Naturaleza

The Media Maratón por la Naturaleza limits participation to 500 runners, ensuring a quiet race through Sierra de Gredos Regional Park. This June half marathon, centered in Hoyos del Espino (Ávila province), is organized by the Hoyos del Espino City Council with support from the Provincial Council of Ávila. The core concept is to run the distance while appreciating the forests, rivers, and mountain landscape, rather than seeking a large-scale road-race environment. The course winds through the pine forests of Hoyos del Espino and Navarredonda de Gredos, featuring river sections that enhance the off-road character. Many participants select this event as an alternative to congested pavement races, seeking tranquility and the sounds of the natural environment. Additionally, the race includes a side competition, El Reto: La Cuesta del Drakar. Runners completing the half marathon can ascend the Drakar hill; the quickest climber receives their weight in beer, provided they are not already a category winner and complete the ascent on foot without external assistance. Organizers characterize the event as a nonprofit effort by friends, intended to foster appreciation for the natural setting among runners and their companions, encouraging a desire for its preservation.