Every March, something magical happens on this island that has nothing to do with clubs, cocktails or celebrity sightings. It's the sound of hundreds of trainers slapping the warm tarmac of Ibiza's most iconic promenades, the cheers of supporters lined along the seafront, and the shared sense of community that reminds you why so many of us never want to leave.
This Sunday, 15 March, the XXX (30th) edition of the Cursa de Passeig a Passeig returns — and with 752 registered participants across all categories, this milestone anniversary promises to be the most spectacular yet.
What Is the Cursa de Passeig a Passeig?
If you've never heard of it, let me paint you a picture. The Cursa de Passeig a Passeig (literally "promenade to promenade") is a 15-kilometre race connecting Ibiza Town's elegant Paseo Vara de Rey with the palm-lined s'Alamera promenade in Santa Eulàra des Riu. The route hugs the island's eastern coast for much of its length, offering runners a stunning backdrop of turquoise sea and rugged interior hills.
But here's what makes this race different from your typical road race: it's not just a running event — it's an island-wide celebration. Alongside the competitive runners you'll find inline skaters gliding the full 15km route, cyclists enjoying a relaxed non-competitive ride, children tackling the 1,500m or 300m mini races, and families lining the route cheering everyone on from elite athletes to first-timers. This is the Ibiza only locals know — warm, welcoming, utterly unpretentious, and genuinely joyful.
Race Details for This Sunday
Here's everything you need to know if you're taking part or want to cheer from the sidelines. The main 15km race starts at 9:45 AM from Vara de Rey in Ibiza Town, with the first finishers expected to arrive in Santa Eulàra around 10:45 AM. The children's mini races start from the Town Hall of Santa Eulàra des Riu (Plaza España, 1), with the 300m race for the youngest participants running from the Town Hall to Passeig de s'Alamera.
A heads-up for drivers: several roads between Ibiza Town and Santa Eulàra will be temporarily closed on Sunday morning to accommodate the race route. Plan your journeys accordingly, especially if you're heading east before noon.
Why 30 Years Matters
This isn't just any edition. Three decades of connecting these two beautiful promenades. Three decades of Ibizan families running side by side. Three decades of sweaty hugs at the finish line with sea views and a cold water bottle in hand.
I've watched this race more times than I can count, and what never changes is the energy. Whether it's a dedicated runner pushing hard to beat their personal best or a group of colleagues who signed up on a whim and are singing all the way to Santa Eulàra — everyone belongs here. The Cursa de Passeig a Passeig doesn't care how fast you are. It just cares that you showed up.
The Route: Ibiza's Most Beautiful 15km
The course itself is reason enough to run it. Starting at Vara de Rey — Ibiza Town's grand 19th-century paseo, shaded by mature trees and flanked by the iconic Hotel Montesol terrace — runners head northeast along the island's eastern coastline toward Santa Eulàra. The route passes through some of Ibiza's most charming villages and coastal stretches before arriving at s'Alamera, a beautifully maintained promenade bordered by tropical plants and the gentle sounds of the Mediterranean.
If running 15km sounds like a non-starter, simply positioning yourself at the Santa Eulàra finish line and watching the runners arrive with enormous grins is a perfectly good way to spend a Sunday morning — especially with a café amb llet in hand.
Not Running? Here's How to Make a Day of It
The race creates a wonderful energy around both Ibiza Town and Santa Eulàra from early morning. Before the race (8:00–9:30 AM), head to Vara de Rey for a coffee at one of the surrounding cafés and soak up the pre-race buzz — the atmosphere before the start is brilliant, full of nervous energy, stretching, and last-minute selfies. If you have a car, you can drive ahead to different points along the course and cheer runners on from multiple spots. The stretch along the coastal road near Jesús offers particularly beautiful views.
Once the first finishers start arriving around 10:45 AM, grab a spot near the finish line in Santa Eulàra, then reward yourself with a long Sunday lunch on s'Alamera itself. Several restaurants and cafés right on the promenade make this an obvious — and delicious — choice.
Other Weekend Highlights
Of course, the race isn't the only reason to be out and about this weekend. March in Ibiza has a wonderful pre-season charm — fewer tourists, cooler weather perfect for exploring, and a real sense that the island is waking up from its winter slumber.
The Multi-Cultural Festival kicks off this Saturday evening at 19:00, running every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday until 21 March with a programme covering literature, poetry, cinema and humour. Cicle Dies Musicals continues this weekend too, with intimate concerts dotted across venues around the island — one of the best ways to hear live music in genuine Ibizan settings. Over at Cala Llonga, the Ibiza Beach Tennis Tournament is underway for those who prefer their sport on sand. And if you fancy a Sunday morning browse, the Sant Joan Market in the northern hills is open as always, with fresh produce, artisan crafts and proper local atmosphere.
Food lovers should also note that the Patrimoni Gastronòmic Contest in Ibiza Town is running throughout March — themed international menus for a fixed €30, inspired by UNESCO World Heritage cities worldwide. Excellent value for what's on offer.
The Ibiza That Stays With You
March is one of my favourite months on this island, and events like the Cursa de Passeig a Passeig are exactly why. No pretence, no velvet ropes, no guest lists — just Ibiza being itself. Community-focused, generous, and quietly wonderful.
If you're visiting this weekend or based on the island, make the effort to be part of it. Come and run, come and cheer, come and eat at the finish line. The 30th edition of one of Ibiza's most loved traditions deserves an audience to match.
Bon profit — and bona sort to all 752 of you running this Sunday. 🏃