Barcelona to host 5km underground metro race on night of November 4

Only 275 lucky runners will get the chance to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime event this November: a 5km race through the tunnels of Barcelona’s metro system at night.

The race, announced last year as part of the metro’s centenary celebrations, was detailed on Monday by the Metropolitan Transport of Barcelona authority.

The route will follow Line 2, starting at Universitat station, running to Monumental, and then returning to finish again at Universitat.

The event will be held overnight from Tuesday, November 4, to Wednesday, November 5.

Runners will set off in 20-second intervals between 1 am and 4 am, the hours when the metro is closed, in order to ensure the service can resume at 5am.

The tracks along this stretch are paved, making running feasible without the need for modifications.

Some signage will be installed to guide runners around obstacles, and lighting is already in place to ensure safety and prevent falls or accidents.

This section of the metro has a double tunnel, meaning runners on the return leg will not cross paths with those heading out.

These conditions, along with the need to reopen the line on time, limit participation to just 275 runners.

Spots will be assigned by a draw. Registration will be open from October 6 to 8, with the winners announced on October 9.

Entry costs €30, with all proceeds going to the Hospital del Mar Research Institute to support research into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Because the number of race entries is so limited, leaving many applicants without a spot, the Metro authority has also launched the 'Dorsal 0' initiative.

This option allows those not selected to still contribute financially to the cause. Donations can be made through the official website starting on Tuesday.