Madrid Runs Against Rheumatic Diseases This Sunday at Manzanares Linear Park

The Run for Rheumatic Diseases marks its sixth edition this Sunday, October 4, 2026 at the Parque Lineal del Manzanares in Madrid, offering a program that blends sport with philanthropy. Participants can choose between two races, 4 and 10 kilometers, a 2-kilometer walk, and children’s events. Registrations will remain open until Saturday for an event that will dedicate all proceeds to supporting patients and advancing research.

Two distances to run through the Parque Lineal del Manzanares

The day will begin at 9:00 AM with the start of the 4 and 10 kilometer races. Both will be held entirely within the Parque Lineal del Manzanares, one of Madrid’s major green spaces in the southern part of the city. The route will follow a 2-kilometer circuit. Participants in the 4-kilometer race will complete two laps, while those opting for the 10-kilometer distance will make five turns around the course. This arrangement allows participants with different levels of preparation to share the course and the atmosphere. The event, since its inception, has been spearheaded by the Sociedad de Reumatología de la Comunidad de Madrid (SORCOM), aiming to raise visibility for those living with these diseases as well as for professionals working to improve diagnosis and treatment. According to data collected by the organizers, rheumatic diseases affect about 10 million people in Spain.

At 11:00 AM the 2-kilometer walk will begin, tracing a single lap of the same circuit. Its flat course offers an alternative for those who prefer to participate by walking and to share the morning with family or friends. Children will take the baton at 12:00 PM, when the children’s races will be held, with distances adapted to the various ages. In this way, the day broadens participation options beyond adult races. There will also be a solidarity bib for those who wish to support the initiative without entering the park or from anywhere else in the country.

The charitable nature of the event is reflected in how registrations are allocated: 100% of the proceeds will be distributed between two initiatives. A portion will fund a project led by a patient association, which will be chosen through a notary-audited lottery and announced after the walk. The other portion will be dedicated to a rheumatic disease research grant. Registrations remain available until Saturday, October 3, on the official Run for Rheumatic Diseases website. The price is 11.60 euros for the 4- and 10-kilometer races, 7 euros for the walk, and 3 euros for the children’s events. The sixth edition offers a morning in which running, walking or accompanying the youngest participants also becomes a way to support patients and contribute to research.