Registrations have officially opened for a unique sporting challenge in Barcelona, inviting participants to race up the 419 steps of the city’s deepest metro station for a charitable cause. The second edition of the ‘Cronoescalada solidària’ will take place on May 16, 2026, turning the El Coll / La Teixonera station into a vertical race track to raise funds for children with cancer.
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The event challenges runners to ascend the equivalent of an 18-storey building in the fastest time possible. Participants will climb from the L5 platform to street level at the El Coll / La Teixonera station, renowned as the Barcelona Metro network’s deepest point. This climb offers a demanding test of fitness and endurance.
The TMB Foundation, Transperfect Mountain Challenge, and Club Atlètic TMB organise the race, sponsored by lift manufacturer Orona. This event forms a key part of Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB)‘s social responsibility programme. Last year’s inaugural event saw over 300 participants, and organisers have now made 386 places available for the 2026 edition.
A Race with a Purpose
Prospective participants can register online until May 8, or until all slots are filled. The €16 registration fee directly benefits the Associació de Familiars i Amics de Nens Oncològics de Catalunya (AFANOC), an organisation dedicated to supporting families and children battling cancer.
The entry fee includes a race bib, a specially designed t-shirt, a sports bag, and a one-day public transport ticket. For those unable to participate but still wishing to contribute, a ‘Dorsal 0’ (bib number 0) option is available, allowing for direct donations to the cause.
TMB professionals drive a wider campaign, ‘Muévete por el cáncer infantil y acompáñanos’ (Move for childhood cancer and join us), into which this year’s stair climb is integrated. This initiative aims to increase public awareness of paediatric cancer and highlight AFANOC’s vital work.
The event showcases TMB’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, extending beyond daily transport operations. TMB has also recently commissioned art installations to mark International Women’s Day and been involved in other cultural projects. The race’s focus on unique station infrastructure aligns with TMB’s ongoing network modernisation efforts. Significant works are planned, including the final phase of the Glòries station redevelopment and a year-long project affecting the transfer at Verdaguer station.
Event Day and How to Take Part
The race begins at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at El Coll / La Teixonera station in northern Barcelona. El Periódico reports that participants will compete to achieve the fastest time up the extensive staircases.
With limited spots available, organisers expect the event to be as popular as its predecessor, combining a personal fitness challenge with significant community impact. This collaboration between public transport bodies, corporate sponsors like Orona, and sporting organisations like Transperfect Mountain Challenge underscores a growing trend of innovative urban events for social good.
