Cursa dels Nassos
The Lowdown
The Cursa dels Nassos is Barcelona's beloved New Year's Eve run, taking runners through the streets of the Poblenou and Diagonal Mar districts on the evening of December 31st as the city counts down to midnight. Named after the 'Home dels Nassos' ('Man of the Noses'), a whimsical figure from Catalan folklore said to appear only on the last day of the year with as many noses as days remaining in it, the race has grown from 1,710 finishers at its inaugural 1999 edition into one of Spain's largest Sant Silvestre-style road races, with the 2026 edition expanded to 16,500 bibs after selling out every year since 2019. Starting and finishing on Carrer de la Selva de Mar near Plaça de Ramon Calsina, the flat, fast 10K course runs close to the Mediterranean coastline through Poblenou, along Carrer de la Marina and Carrer de la Llacuna, and back via Avinguda Diagonal, with only two short climbs breaking up an otherwise nearly imperceptible elevation profile — conditions that regularly produce personal records. The main 10K field starts in staggered waves from 17:15, preceded by an elite-only 5K international race on the World Athletics calendar at 16:20. Registration includes a choice of timing chip: a personal yellow chip to keep, a virtual chip, or a returnable white rental chip. Runners must be at least 14 years old on race day, with minors aged 14 to 17 requiring a signed parental or guardian authorization. Aid stations line the route, and finishers collect water and a race-day bag at the Selva de Mar finish line before joining Barcelona's city-wide New Year's Eve celebrations.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Major marathon
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Excellent spectator turnout
Carrer de la Selva de Mar
start and finish line, near Plaça de Ramon Calsina
Carrer de la Marina
Carrer de la Llacuna
Avinguda Diagonal
Poblenou neighborhood, near Barcelona's Mediterranean coastline
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
ES
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
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Eligibility
- Minimum age 14 on race day
- Minors aged 14–17 must have a parental or legal guardian authorization signed at registration
Required Documents
- Photo ID for bib collection
- Signed parental or legal guardian authorization (required for participants aged 14–17)
Entry Methods
- Online registration via the official Cursa dels Nassos platform (xipgroc.cat)
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Organizers have not published a detailed refund policy; entry fees are generally non-refundable close to race day, consistent with other Spanish popular races of this type
Bib transfer may be permitted for a fee ahead of a cutoff date; exact terms are not detailed by organizers
No refunds for no-shows (DNS)
Founded in 1999 by Domingo López of Club Natació Montjuïc; the inaugural edition drew 1,710 finishers on the last day of the millennium (December 31, 1999)
Renamed Cursa dels Nassos–Sant Silvestre de Barcelona in 2005, referencing the 'Home dels Nassos,' a Catalan New Year's Eve folklore figure said to have as many noses as days remaining in the year
Sold out every edition since 2019; the 2025 edition drew over 13,000 runners, prompting the 2026 expansion to 16,500 bibs
An elite-only international 5K race, part of the World Athletics international calendar, runs the same evening ahead of the main 10K
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.

