Route, schedule, and traffic disruptions for the Mercè race

BarcelonaThis Sunday, downtown Barcelona is preparing to host one of the city's most popular annual sporting competitions: the Carrera de la Merced Bimbo Global Race. Professional and amateur runners will participate in a unique 10-kilometer route, starting on Carrer Aragó, passing Passeig Sant Joan and Avinguda Paral·lel, and finishing in Plaça Catalunya. All proceeds from this year's registrations will go to the Fundació Alzheimer Catalunya.

Calendar

The race will start on Aragó Street at 8:30 a.m.

The Cursa de la Mercè race will be held this Sunday, September 21, starting at 8:30 a.m. and will continue until the last registered runner arrives at Plaça Catalunya, expectedly around 11:30 a.m. It is recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start. The organizers assure that this will be a massive race in terms of registration, as participation has increased compared to last year; while 13,000 people participated in 2024, this year there are 13,500 bibs allocated. In addition, the thousand registered runners who will run the family mile must be added. In total, 14,500 participants are expected.

Route

Maria Cristina Avenue disappears from the layout for the first time

This year, Barcelona City Council has changed the race route, which traditionally started and finished on Avinguda Maria Cristina, to make it "more central, more circular, and with sea views." After more than two decades following the same layout, the new route will start on Carrer Aragó and Carrer Pau Claris and finish at Plaça Catalunya. Highlights include Passeig de Sant Joan, the Arc de Triomf, Passeig Lluís Companys, Ciutadella Park, and the seafront, with Passeig Isabel II and Passeig Colom. The second part of the circuit continues along Paral·lel, through Carrer Entença, Carrer Floridablanca, and along Ronda Sant Antoni until reaching the finish line in the heart of the city.

According to the council, this new race configuration will allow for "more entertainment, improved accessibility, and a more urban atmosphere," as it will make it easier for families and the public to follow the race from several locations just a few minutes away and well connected by public transport.

Traffic disruptions

It is recommended to use the metro for road network disruptions.

During the race, vehicle traffic will be prohibited along the entire route on Sunday from 7:30 a.m. until approximately 12:00 p.m. Traffic will be gradually reopened as participants pass through each point. On Aragó Street, from Bailèn to Girona (both sides), it will begin at 5:00 a.m. The same will apply to car and motorcycle parking, which will be prohibited along the route.

The competition will also alter the routes of some public transport lines. According to Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB), up to 34 bus lines will modify their routes or face restrictions between 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Sunday. Among the lines that will see their routes modified are the D20, D50, H10, H12, H14, H16, V9, V11, V13, V15, V17, V19, 6, 7, 13, 19, 21, 22, 24, 33, 44, 5, 5 63, 67, 91, 109, 120, 121, 141 and 150. The red and blue routes of the Barcelona Bus Turístic, which are heavily used by visitors arriving in the city during the weekend, will also be altered. For this reason, TMB recommends using the metro, especially the L3, which will be reinforced with additional trains, and checking the notices section service on your website.

Alzheimer's Fund

The amount of the bib will be used to fight against abuse.

All proceeds from this year's Carrera de la Merced race registrations (€5, €7 if you purchase a disposable chip) will go entirely to the Alzheimer Foundation of Catalonia, an organization that supports people affected by Alzheimer's and other dementias and their caregivers. Specifically, the proceeds will be used for the project to detect, address, and respond to abuse in vulnerable older adults. In addition, a contribution of €0.80 will be made to the organization for each chip collected.