Barcelona is preparing for the 47th edition of the Cursa de la Mercè Bimbo Global Race, which takes place on Sunday, 21 September, and will bring together more than 14,000 runners. This year’s race features a major change: for the first time in over two decades, the finish line will be at Plaça de Catalunya instead of Avinguda Maria Cristina. The more central route, with views of the sea, will also mean extensive traffic and parking restrictions across the city centre.
Preparations will begin the day before. From Saturday morning, 20 September, the city will enforce parking bans and partial closures in key areas including Plaça Catalunya, Carrer Aragó and Carrer Bruc. Full closures will roll out from 05:00 on Sunday, affecting major thoroughfares such as Gran Via, Passeig de Gràcia, Rambla Catalunya and Avinguda Paral·lel. Vehicles left within the circuit will be immobilised to prevent them from moving during the race, according to Barcelona City Council.
From 07:30 until 11:30, traffic will be completely banned along the official route, which covers central arteries such as Carrer Casanova, Carrer València, Passeig de Sant Joan, Passeig Lluís Companys, Passeig Picasso, Passeig de Colom and Ronda Sant Antoni. Diversions and temporary changes of direction will also be in place in the districts of Ciutat Vella, Eixample, Sants-Montjuïc and Sant Martí.
The council is urging residents to avoid private vehicles altogether on Sunday morning. Instead, they recommend using the metro and commuter trains, which will operate normally throughout the day.
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