New coastal route unveiled for 2025 La Mercè 10K

The 2025 edition of La Cursa de la Mercè marks its 47th year with a major change: its route.

On September 21, as part of Barcelona's La Mercè festivities, the 10K course has been redesigned to be "more open and circular," running centrally through Barcelona and along the coast.

After more than two decades of the previous layout, the new route "brings the race closer to the heart of the city and offers new views for runners," according to Barcelona City Council.

The race will start on Carrer Aragó and finish at Plaça de Catalunya, passing through historic neighborhoods – such as Poble Sec, L'Eixample, Sant Pere, Santa Caterina, and La Ribera – and taking runners along the city's seafront for the first time.

David Escudé, Barcelona's Councillor for Sports, said: "The new route brings the race into central Barcelona, right in the middle of the city's festival. La Cursa de la Mercè Bimbo Global Race is one of the most popular and beloved events of the La Mercè celebrations, and this new layout makes it even more connected to the city."

The route will pass through iconic Barcelona streets, from the start at Carrer Aragó to the finish at Plaça de Catalunya. Runners will head down Carrer València, Passeig de Sant Joan, past the Arc de Triomf, along Passeig de Lluís Companys and Passeig Picasso, before reaching the Pavelló Blau.

The race will then run along the city's seafront and port area, with part of the route going through Passeig d'Isabel II and Passeig de Colom toward Plaça de les Drassanes.

Participants will get a breath of sea air as they begin the second half of the course: Avinguda Paral·lel, Carrer Entença, Carrer Floridablanca, and Ronda Sant Antoni. The final stretch starts at Plaça Universitat, finishing at Plaça de Catalunya.

Inclusive event

Alongside the 10K event, there will be an inclusive 2K race – for participants with intellectual disabilities or reduced mobility who are not physically able to run 10 kilometers – and a non-competitive one-mile Family Run.

To support families with children, there will be a free childcare service near the starting line for kids aged 3 to 11.

All proceeds from race registration go to a charitable organization, which this year is Alzheimer Catalunya.

Organizers hope to attract 14,500 registered participants across all races, an increase of 2,500 from last year.

Registration is open via the race website.