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BRITISH Athletes Ben Connor and Lily Partridge Triumph in Record-Breaking Benidorm Half 2025

Benidorm / 23rd Noember

Harry Johnson and Alondra Negrón win the 10K as event sets new participation and performance records

Benidorm celebrated an exceptional day of sport this Saturday as the Benidorm Half 2025 broke all previous participation and performance records. A total of 9,132 runners took part across the 10K and Half Marathon events—up from 6,500 last year—confirming the race as one of the fastest-growing and most international running events in Spain.

Despite cold weather conditions, the level of competition reached new heights. Course records were broken in the 10K, the women’s 21K, and the men’s 21K, marking this edition as one of the most successful to date.

British Sweep in the Half Marathon

British athletes claimed both titles in the Half Marathon:
Winner (Men): Ben Connor – 1:03:51 (new course record)
2nd place: Alejandro González de Miguel – 1:04:21
3rd place: Dmitrijs Serjogins (Latvia) – 1:05:11
Winner (Women): Lily Partridge – 1:12:07
2nd place: Geles Gimeno – 1:19:45
3rd place: María José de Toro – 1:20:47
10K Victories for Harry Johnson and Alondra Negrón
In the 10K, Britain’s Harry Johnson and Puerto Rican Alondra Negrón topped their categories:
Winner (Men): Harry Johnson – 30:38
2nd place: Javier Mirón – 31:11
3rd place: Pablo Otero – 31:18
Winner (Women): Alondra Negrón – 33:13 (national record for Puerto Rico)
2nd place: María Fuentes – 33:55
3rd place: Mónica Pascual – 34:48

Local Athletes Shine

Local runners also delivered strong performances:

21K (Men): Juan Antonio Fernández, followed by Rubén Suárez and Adrián García
21K (Women): Gemma Ann Selby, followed by Ángela Llorca and Isabel Villegas
10K (Men): Pablo García Ruano, Ximo Santonja, and Francisco Javier López Ródenas
10K (Women): María Fuentes, Sonia Tirado, and Svitlana Holosna

A Truly International Race

This year’s Benidorm Half reached unprecedented international levels:

50.5% of participants were from abroad
44.4% of all runners were from the United Kingdom
Competitors from 37 countries took part
Spain (4,516) and the UK (4,043) led participation

Other represented nations included Ireland, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Germany, France and Sweden

Of the Spanish participants, 1,934 came from the province of Alicante, with the remainder travelling from 46 provinces nationwide.

Among the distinguished athletes in attendance was Fermín Cacho, double Olympic medallist, whose presence added prestige to the event.

A Stunning Start and Celebratory Finish

Mayor Toni Pérez, together with the Councillor for Sports Javier Jordá, fired the starting pistol at the now-traditional starting point on Avenida de la Comunitat Valenciana, at its junction with Avenida de Bélgica. Thousands of runners filled the streets as the 10K departed at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Half Marathon at 6:00 p.m., creating a spectacular sporting atmosphere throughout the city.

The Queens of the Festes Majors Patronals 2025, Paula Pascual and Aitana Pérez, joined the mayor and Councillor Jordá in presenting trophies to the champions of the main categories.

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

Regional overview: steady pre-summer momentum

Across the Costa Blanca, including Benidorm, Altea, L’Alfàs del Pi (Albir), La Nucía and Finestrat, the region is entering a strong early-season phase with increasing visitor numbers, expanding nightlife, and a growing calendar of small cultural and leisure events ahead of the main summer period.

Markets, live music, coastal tourism and community events continue to dominate activity this week, alongside ongoing infrastructure improvements such as new sustainability and mobility projects.

BENIDORM – Markets, nightlife and tourism growth

Weekly street markets in Benidorm remain a key attraction, including Wednesday and Sunday general markets offering food, clothing and local goods.

The Old Town continues to host craft stalls and informal street entertainment, while evening activity is increasing as the summer season approaches.

Live music is now a nightly feature across main entertainment zones, with tribute acts, DJs and bar performances contributing to strong visitor activity.

Tourism officials also note continued preparation for upcoming seasonal events, including the build-up toward traditional spring and early summer festivals.

ALTEA – Culture and coastal leisure

Altea continues to focus on cultural tourism and relaxation, with art galleries, artisan shops and small exhibitions operating throughout the Old Town.

Live acoustic performances and low-key entertainment are taking place across seafront bars, while boat excursions from Altea harbour are operating regular coastal and sunset sailing routes depending on weather conditions.

ALBIR / L’ALFÀS DEL PI – Community events and live music

L'Alfàs del Pi and the Albir area maintain a steady mix of expat and local activity.

Weekly Friday markets remain popular, while Irish pubs and live music venues continue to host regular bands and acoustic performances.

The Casa de Cultura is also hosting community exhibitions, theatre and social events throughout the week.

LA NUCÍA – Sports and weekend activity

La Nucia continues to centre around sports tourism, with its major sports complex hosting training camps and competitive events.

The Sunday rastro flea market remains a key attraction, drawing visitors from across the region.

FINESTRAT – Coastal leisure and markets

Finestrat is experiencing growing beachfront activity as beach bars and restaurants reopen for the warmer season.

Markets in La Cala continue on Tuesdays and Saturdays, offering local produce and artisan goods, while sunset dining and relaxed evening entertainment are becoming more frequent.

VILLAJOYOSA – Culture, coastline and local life

Villajoyosa is experiencing steady early-season activity, supported by its historic old town, colourful seafront and growing cultural tourism offer.

Local markets and small artisan trading continue throughout the week, while the seafront promenade is seeing increased footfall as warmer weather returns.

The town also maintains its reputation for traditional fishing heritage, chocolate production history, and quiet beach tourism, offering a more relaxed contrast to nearby resort centres.

INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE – Benidorm EV expansion

Alongside tourism growth, Benidorm is also continuing its sustainability rollout, including new electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Levante area as part of its broader mobility and climate strategy.

The project forms part of EU-backed funding aimed at supporting low-emission transport across major Mediterranean destinations.

REGIONAL SUMMARY

Benidorm: busiest hub with nightlife, markets and entertainment growth
Altea: cultural, scenic and relaxed
Albir / L’Alfàs del Pi: balanced social and live music scene
La Nucía: sports-led and residential
Finestrat: beach-focused and seasonal lifestyle
Villajoyosa: coastal heritage, relaxed tourism and local culture

The Costa Blanca continues its gradual transition into peak tourist season, with activity levels rising steadily across all major towns.

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BRITISH Athletes Ben Connor and Lily Partridge Triumph in Record-Breaking Benidorm Half 2025

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