Maratón Sierra de Mijas returns on Saturday. 700 runners, 2,300 metres of climbing

Around 700 runners will set off from Mijas Pueblo on Saturday morning for the second Maratón Sierra de Mijas, a mountain race that climbs into the hills behind the old village and finishes back where it began. Euro Weekly News reported that the field is about 200 larger than at last year's debut.

Key facts

• Date and start: Saturday 14 November, with the marathon starting at 8.30am.
• Field: around 700 runners, roughly 200 more than last year.
• Marathon: 42km with about 2,300 metres of climbing (roughly 7,500 feet).
• Shorter routes: a 21km half marathon with 1,150 metres of climbing and a 12km mini marathon with 500 metres, both starting at 9.30am.
• Start and finish: Paseo de la Muralla in Mijas Pueblo for all three routes.

The routes

According to Euro Weekly News, runners leave the village and head through woodland and over limestone ridges. There are technical sections where the ground becomes steep and rough.

The half-marathon and mini-marathon runners start an hour after the marathon field. Race numbers can be collected between 7am and 8am near the Plaza de Toros and La Muralla.

Organisers and aims

Club Polideportivo Mijas is organising the race with help from the ayuntamiento (town hall), Euro Weekly News said. The race was presented by sports councillor Maria Francisca Alarcon and race director Marco Antonio Ayala.

The stated aim is to draw runners from further afield, introduce them to the mountains close to Mijas and promote the area for sports tourism. Organisers hope the event will become one of the leading trail-running races in southern Europe, the outlet reported.

For spectators

Euro Weekly News advised that the best place to watch is the Paseo de la Muralla, the walled promenade in the old village, because most of the route follows mountain paths and tracks that are hard to reach. All runners pass through at the start and finish.

Entry details and the latest information are on the official website, maratonsierrademijas.com. The outlet said no traffic closures had been announced so far and suggested checking the town hall website before travelling.

Why it matters

For residents of Mijas, the race brings a larger crowd to the village on Saturday morning. Anyone planning to visit should check the town hall website for any traffic changes.