The 60th edition breaks participation records with 26,128 finishers from 26 countries.
Celebrating six decades of history with commemorative medals and generating an economic impact of €50 million in Gipuzkoa.
The 60th Behobia-San Sebastian Half Marathon, held on Sunday, 9 November, consolidated its status as Spain's most iconic half marathon by attracting 27,981 registered runners from 26 countries and 26,128 crossing the finish line on a demanding 20.196 kilometre course.
Spain's Raúl Celada and Ecuador's Katherine Ruth Tisalema were crowned winners in the men's and women's categories, in a historic edition that not only broke records for women's participation - with 8,943 runners, 34% of the total - but also celebrated six decades of athletic passion with special medals and an unforgettable cross-border atmosphere.
The event, an economic engine for the region, injected some 50 million euros into Gipuzkoa, boosting tourism and local commerce.
Historic edition: Record participation and international diversity
Born in 1966 as a frontier endurance event, but with roots in popular races since 1919, this 60th anniversary edition paid tribute to its legacy with a commemorative medal designed in collaboration with the Miramar Palace.
In addition, for the first time, the organisation launched official Joma shoes for the occasion, symbolising ‘two ways of living the Behobia: with history and with style’.
The international scope of the event shone brightly: runners from 26 nations, led mainly by France and the United Kingdom.
‘Behobia is no longer a local race but a global magnet’.
The atmosphere at the start: Drums and collective fervour
The start, at 9:30 am from Behobia (Irun), under a cloudy sky and the echo of Basque drums, unleashed a torrent of collective energy that meandered through Errenteria, Pasaia and the legendary slopes of Gaintxurizketa (km 7) and Miracruz (km 16), culminating in the Boulevard Donostia. "
The beating of the drums marked the start, a ritual that makes your skin crawl and symbolises the Basque spirit of the race. To relive that epic moment, don't miss this full broadcast of the start and the race on YouTube, where the drums resound in the first few minutes, propelling the 26,299 runners towards the finish line. "This race is not just an event; it is a ritual that unites generations and borders.
‘This race is not just an event; it is a rite that unites generations and borders’.
Triumphs in the men's elite: The surprise of Celada
In the men's elite, Celada, 28, from Astorga (León), burst out as the unexpected hero when he broke away alone after Pasaia and dominated Miracruz, clocking 1:01:28 to end the streak of Chakib Lachgar (winner in 2019, 2023 and 2024, fourth this time). Diego Mentrida (1:01:42) and Iraitz Arróspide (1:01:46), the first Guipuzcoan, completed the podium in a sprint that thrilled the 70,000 spectators.
"It's a pride to win here. This morning I was told it was the best race in the world, and I couldn't miss it," exclaimed Celada at the finish.
On his strategy, he added: "I had the Alto de Miracruz in mind. Iraitz attacked a bit earlier, he went away from us for 150 metres but I was able to catch him at the end of the climb. Then I left him and I was able to enjoy myself". The public, a key factor in his victory, summed it up: "The public makes it special. It makes you live it and makes you climb and run". He is already looking to the future: ‘Hopefully I'll be back next year and I can go for Alberto's (Juzdado) record’.
Dominance in the women's elite: Tisalema's unstoppable attack
The women's category was a display of South American power with 25-year-old Tisalema biding her time on the slopes for a devastating attack, conquering the finish line in 1:09:34.
She was 24 seconds ahead of Kenya's Noshim Kimuge (1:09:58) and 1:08 ahead of María Varo Zubiri (1:10:42), with Maite Arraiza as the first local runner in fourth place.
"From the beginning I saw myself in a foursome with three athletes who were team-mates. I knew it would be difficult [...] I was confident in my strength on the slopes, which is something that defines me and that I didn't know if my opponents also had. On the last climb I pushed hard and, as soon as I let up a little, the crowd carried me away", said Tisalema, dedicating her victory to the Biziki Project, which promotes female debutants.
Both winners agreed on the key: ‘We knew that the climbs were our thing’, a mantra that encapsulates the essence of the Behobia.
Economic impact and 60th anniversary celebrations
The economic impact was colossal: 50 million euros injected into the region, with hotels at 100% occupancy, a boom in restaurants and a multiplier effect of 15% in sports tourism.
With registrations sold out within hours, this 60th edition leaves a legacy of overcoming: 26,128 commemorative medals handed out and the Boulevard de San Sebastián as an altar of hugs and personal challenges.
You can relive the excitement of the race in the following summary video
Links
- Sitio web oficial de la Behobia-San Sebastián: www.behobia-sansebastian.com
- Retransmisión íntegra de la carrera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIJ_1iJhOic
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