Ibiza vibrated once again this Saturday with the eighth edition of the Santa Eulària Ibiza Marathon, an event that brought together more than 6,000 runners from different corners of the world to enjoy a unique sporting experience in the heart of the Mediterranean. With its three distances – marathon, 22K and 12K – the Balearic event reaffirmed itself as one of the most desired sporting events on the European calendar and, furthermore, it established itself as the most crowded on the island, surpassing its own participation record.
From the early hours of Saturday morning, the desire to run in Ibiza could be felt in the air. The sun shone brightly while participants finalized details and shared nerves and smiles in the starting box, where runners of all levels came together. At exactly 3:30 p.m., the 42.195-kilometre race started from the port of Ibiza. Ahead lay a certified course with the mythical distance of Pheidippides that ran through four of the five municipalities of Ibiza. A demanding yet enjoyable route to discover, stride by stride, one of the most charismatic islands in Europe.
Thus, the runners were able to delight in spectacular landscapes of the Ibizan surroundings, from the vibrant walled nucleus of Dalt Vila to the tranquility of the coast of Santa Eulària des Riu, passing through natural spots, sections with sea views, and always supported by a devoted public that never stopped cheering.
The highlight of the day came on the promenade of Santa Eulària des Riu, where the finish line for the three distances was located and where a spectacular atmosphere was also experienced with locals and onlookers who came to witness the outcome of the race.
The protagonists of the day
In the main event, the marathon, the victory in the men’s category went to Samson Keyo, who maintained a steady pace from the start and stopped the clock at 2:19:58. In second place came Dennis Kimetto (2:28:50), a Kenyan athlete who was once the world record holder in the marathon; while the third spot on the podium went to Nelson Fonseca (2:44:40).
In the women’s category, Ruth Hawkins gave a display of strength and strategy, completing the official 42.195 kilometers in 3:02:56. Her rivals could do little on this Saturday, as Lot Stevens (3:17:28) finished second already at some distance, and in third place came Amy Renyard (3:18:58).
In the 22K distance, Eddie Garner took victory with authority, clocking 1:17:35; while in the women’s category, the fastest was Valencian runner Yessica Mas (1:23:23), who was also the big favorite.
Meanwhile, in the 12K race, Adrián Guirado (39:50) and Verónica Castro (50:03) took the wins.
Alex Roca and Jota conquer Ibiza
Àlex Roca and José Luis García Serrano, ‘Jota’, crossed the finish line of the 12 kilometers of the Santa Eulària Ibiza Marathon together in an image that will remain etched in the collective memory of amateur athletics.
The Catalan athlete, with 76% cerebral palsy, and the visually impaired Paralympic triathlete shared every stride in a race as challenging as it was emotional. They did so with the complicity born of mutual respect and admiration. And with a fundamental ally: Mari Carmen, Àlex’s partner, who acted as interpreter to facilitate communication between the two.
“Today I had the honor of running alongside Jota, a reference and an inspiration. I communicate through sign language. He cannot see. And yet, we understood each other from the very first moment. Because when there is connection and respect, sport speaks a universal language that goes beyond any barrier. Thank you, Jota, for this shared gift. What matters is not the kilometers you run, but the message you leave behind,” said Àlex Roca upon reaching the finish line.
The race, held in a festive atmosphere and supported by thousands of participants and spectators, witnessed one of the most special moments of its eighth edition. Àlex, who had already run in Ibiza on several occasions, once again chose the island “for its energy, its beauty, and its organization, which always treats me incredibly well.” But this time, his participation in the race had a goal that went far beyond the sporting aspect: to show that barriers do not exist.
The final party… on the dance floor
With the aim of offering its participants a full experience, the Santa Eulària Ibiza Marathon continues beyond the finish line. Thus, on Saturday night two exclusive parties were held in two of the most emblematic places in Ibiza: Las Dalias, in Santa Eulària des Riu, and Teatro Pereyra, in Ibiza town.
This brought to a close an unforgettable edition of the Santa Eulària Ibiza Marathon, an event that continues to grow by leaps and bounds in the racing calendar. In 2025, the event sold out all its bib numbers several weeks in advance. Moreover, the registration data left no room for doubt: Ibiza is pure attraction. More than 70% of the total participants came from outside Spain. And 48% were women, another figure that highlights the great opportunity this event represents for runners of all types and backgrounds.
