Record participation in the Diagonal Race with more than 11,000 runners

Diagonal was dyed blue on Sunday. More than 11,000 runners jogged along the avenue in the tenth edition of the Cursa Diagonal DiR Guàrdia Urbana, marking its participation record and confirming the absolute recovery of races after the pandemic. Reyes Estévez and Mònica Comas were the first to reach the finish line of the 10 kilometers, with the middle-distance runner from Cornellà de Llobregat achieving it for the third time.

At the height of Palau Reial, the starting gun, given by Deputy Mayor Albert Batlle, was fired at 8:30 in the morning, with the sun beating down on the first kilometers of the route, until the shade was achieved from Francesc Macià square. With the tram connection works still underway, the route was diverted at Paseo de Gràcia, with a steep descent to València street. It was then that more tourists with suitcases were seen, uncomprehending and annoyed at not being able to move freely.

With the turn at the Majestic hotel, there was little left for the runners of this year's recovered 5-kilometer race, who had a much more timid reception at the finish line compared to those of the 10k. Between Nàpols and Sicília, the race ended for the 5k runners, continuing for those who had to reach the sea, with the possibility of drinking a little if their legs started to feel heavy.

In the last 5 kilometers, the climb parallel to Encants Nous was especially tough, with the incline disappearing from Torre Glòries. A last stretch where, luckily, the shade was maintained until the finish line, located after Diagonal Mar. An easy and emblematic route where the people of Barcelona acted like people of Barcelona and didn't get too excited about applauding the runners. With a little music during the route, a more festive atmosphere is sure to be achieved in future editions.

The 10k and 5k were the main protagonists on Sunday, after a mile race, a short race of more than 1,600 meters at the Diagonal DiR facilities, was premiered on Saturday, and the children's competition returned, with a circuit around the Piscines i Esports Park. In addition to getting in shape, the Cursa Diagonal has served to donate almost 4,700 euros to Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, as well as more than 1,500 euros to the Aprenem Autisme association.