The Elche Half Marathon holds the distinguished title of being the oldest half marathon in the world, dating back to 1968. Born from the vision of Manuel Jaén and initially imagined as a two-stage marathon, the race ultimately gave rise to the now-iconic 21.097 km distance—cementing Elche’s legacy in the history of athletics. The event has grown steadily in prestige, drawing thousands of runners from across Spain and beyond each spring. Held on the first Sunday of April, the race features a flat, urban course that winds through Elche’s historic core and palm-lined avenues, combining fast racing conditions with rich cultural surroundings.