Barcelona's 2025 La Mercè race: schedule, complete route, and planned traffic closures

Barcelona is gearing up for the La Mercè festivities in a matter of days , and this weekend, still outside the main program, it will hold one of its first mass events, the Cursa de la Mercè Bimbo Global Race. The event, now in its 47th year, has sold out of available race numbers for weeks this year.

The sporting event, which features several race types, debuts a new route through the city center this year after more than two decades of existing one. Furthermore, some 14,500 runners are expected to cross the starting line.

Specifically, it will be a 10-kilometer race , although there is also a 1,609-meter route for families (ideal for groups without a competitive spirit) and an inclusive 2-kilometer route, designed especially for people with reduced mobility or intellectual disabilities. The event, however, will be much more than a sporting event, as various parallel activities are planned.

The organizers have aimed to make the circuit more central, circular, and spectacular, as it offers more sea views. The new route will start at Carrer Aragó and Carrer Pau Claris and finish at Plaça Catalunya. Runners will pass through iconic locations such as Passeig de Sant Joan, the Arc de Triomf, Ciutadella Park, and the waterfront (passing along Paseo de Isabel II and Paseo de Colon).

The second part of the route will continue along Avenida Paralelo, Entença Street, Floridablanca Street, and Ronda Sant Antoni. The new layout will provide more entertainment and improved accessibility for runners. The race will also be better connected to public transportation.

Regarding the schedule, the 10-kilometer race starts at 8:30 a.m., while the inclusive race will depart between 9:15 and 9:30 a.m. from the intersection of Tamarit and Entença streets. The family route, limited to 1,000 participants, will start from Plaça Catalunya at 10:45 a.m.

As always in these cases, the race organizers will impose road closures in transit areas and disruptions to public transport, expected between approximately 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. These are the lines that will see their routes diverted or limited due to the Cursa: D20, D50, H10, H12, H14, H16, V9, V11, V13, V15, V17, V19, 6, 7, 13, 19, 21, 22, 24, 33, 34, 39, 47, 54, 55, 59, 63, 65, 67, 91, 109, 120, 121, 141 and Barcelona Bus Turístic (Blava i Vermella Route).

The organizers remind everyone that to reach the race start or finish point, it's best to take the Metro, FGC, or Rodalies, and use the Catalunya (in all three cases) or Universitat (by Metro) stations. However, those interested can check apps like Moovit in advance to find the best transportation option for this Sunday morning.