The decision that has knocked out Cádiz’s Cádiz Half Marathon was made public this Friday, November 6, after the Local Police officers who had initially volunteered to provide security for the event withdrew their availability. This situation forced organizers to reverse course on one of the weekend’s scheduled sports events in the capital of Cádiz.
According to reports, the number of officers who had initially registered as volunteers was sufficient to cover the security needs. However, their subsequent withdrawal prompted the Local Police Corps itself to issue a unfavorable report on holding the race.
The outstanding extraordinary services, behind the conflict
Among the reasons cited by the officers for withdrawing their availability is the delay in payment for extra services rendered since 2025. In response to this situation, the municipal government team has detailed the amounts already paid to the staff and those still awaiting processing.
According to data provided by the City of Cádiz, during 2026, €511,415.56 in overtime has been paid to Local Police officers. This amount is complemented by another €53,312.21 for services rendered at events in the past that are still awaiting processing.
A suspension that harms a charitable cause
Canceling the event represents a significant setback for a competition that, beyond its athletic aspect, carried a strong charitable element. The Third Cádiz City Half Marathon was scheduled to collaborate with the Rett Syndrome Association, an organization that would have benefited from the event’s realization.
The Sports Councillor, Carlos Lucero, has lamented the consequences of the suspension and the inconvenience it will cause to participants, as well as the work undertaken over the past months to bring the competition to fruition.
The councilor noted that he “regrets the trouble that the suspension of this event will cause, which has a charitable purpose with the Rett Syndrome Association and for which we had worked so hard both from the event’s organization and the City Council.”
To prevent the association from being harmed by the cancellation, the City of Cádiz will provide a grant to the Rett Syndrome Association, aiming to support its ongoing work.
Thus, the lack of police officers and the dispute over outstanding extraordinary services leave the half marathon unheld, a race that was due to take place this Sunday. The cancellation, announced just two days before the start, leaves runners without an event for which many had spent weeks preparing their legs.
