Everything you need to know about the 37th Atlas Half Marathon 2026
The Atlas Half Marathon (Medio Maratón Atlas) is one of Guadalajara's most established road races, organized every year by Club Atlas Colomos, A.C. In 2026 it reaches its 37th edition, under the name "Medio Maratón Atlas Perdura 2026 — Cardio Protegido," endorsed by Mundo de Atletismo en México, A.C. and the Asociación Jalisciense de Clubes Atléticos, A.C. This guide covers the date, route, elevation profile, categories, registration fees and everything you need whether you're running it or coming out to cheer.
---
Date, time and start point
The race takes place on Sunday, September 6, 2026, starting at 6:30 AM, at the turnaround on Av. Patria in front of Parque "El Polvorín," Zapopan, Jalisco — the same point where the finish line is.
📍 View the start/finish location on Google Maps
Start zones:
| Time | Zone | Who starts there |
|---|---|---|
| 6:30 AM | Zone 1 | Blind and visually impaired athletes |
| 6:32 AM | Zone 2 | Elite — ranked athletes endorsed by Mundo de Atletismo en México, and conventional runners |
The official distance is 21.0975 km (13.1 miles), the event's only distance — there's no parallel 5K or 10K.
---
The route
The route is a loop through Zapopan and Guadalajara starting at Parque El Polvorín heading west, crossing Av. Acueducto through the tunnel to the turnaround in front of Andares mall, then back east along Av. Patria before heading down through Av. Américas, Av. Providencia/Terranova, Av. México, López Mateos, Luis Pérez Verdía, Av. Morelos, Fernando de Celada, Av. Golfo de Cortés, Aztecas, Paseo del Prado and Av. Naciones Unidas, before returning along Av. Patria (north lane, against normal traffic flow) and crossing the Acueducto tunnel again to the finish, at the same point as the start.
📄 Download the official route map (PDF)
Elevation profile: not a flat course
The official elevation profile confirms this is not a flat course — there's a sustained climb between km 8 and km 18, with the highest point around km 18 before descending toward the finish.
If you're used to racing at sea level, factor in both Guadalajara's altitude (~1,566 m / 5,138 ft) and this course's real elevation change when planning your pace.
---
Pace guide and course cutoff
Safety course coverage runs for a maximum of 3 hours 30 minutes from the start. This is the official kilometer-by-kilometer reference:
| Kilometer | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Start | 6:30 AM |
| 1 km | 6:40 AM |
| 5 km | 7:20 AM |
| 10 km | 8:10 AM |
| 15 km | 9:00 AM |
| 20 km | 9:50 AM |
| 21.097 km (finish) | 10:00 AM |
After 10:00 AM, the organizing committee may ask runners who haven't finished to move to the sidewalks or official vehicles, since the road closure is lifted.
---
Categories (men's and women's divisions)
| Category | Age |
|---|---|
| Blind and visually impaired | 18 and up |
| Open A | 18 to 29 |
| Open B | 30 to 39 |
| Master A | 40 to 49 |
| Master B | 50 to 59 |
| Master C | 60 to 69 |
| Veterans | 70 and up |
Minimum age to participate: 18 years old by race day. If any category doesn't reach at least 6 registered runners, it's declared void and pays no cash prize (though registered runners can still race it).
---
Registration fees and how to sign up
Fees are tiered by period, and rise as the race date approaches:
| Period | General | With cause (Red Cross) | Eco (no shirt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early bird | $680 MXN | $780 MXN | $580 MXN |
| From June 1 | $760 MXN | $860 MXN | $660 MXN |
| From August 1, 2026 (current period) | $800 MXN | — | — |
Registration is capped at 7,000 participants. Sign-ups close on Saturday, September 5, 2026, or once the cap is reached, whichever comes first — if you're reading this now, it's worth registering as soon as you can.
🌐 Official site: mediomaraton.com.mx
The "with cause" option donates part of the registration fee to Cruz Roja Mexicana Jalisco (Mexican Red Cross, Jalisco), which co-organizes the event's medical coverage.
---
Bib and kit pickup, Sports Expo
Bib and kit pickup is not available on race day — it's exclusively on these dates, inside the Magno Gimnasio at Club Atlas Colomos:
The same time and place hosts a Sports Expo with apparel and gear vendors, food for athletes, and a free general health-check booth. If you're competing for prize money, you're required to check in at the elite athlete module when picking up your kit.
📍 View Club Atlas Colomos on Google Maps
---
Aid stations on course
There will be 10 aid stations along the route — at kilometers 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and the finish — stocked with Skarch water and Electrolit.
---
What's included with registration
---
Awards
Over $600,000 MXN in prizes will be distributed across all categories. The overall winners (1st through 3rd place, men's and women's) receive:
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $55,000 MXN |
| 2nd | $33,000 MXN |
| 3rd | $21,000 MXN |
Beyond category prizes (Open A/B, Master A/B/C, blind and visually impaired), there are two special awards: the National Prize for the first three Mexican finishers to cross the line, and the Atlas Jalisco Prize for the first three Jalisco-born finishers — both conditioned on finishing within 10% of their division's overall winning time. 7% of cash prizes is withheld for Mexican runners and 14% for foreign runners, per Mundo de Atletismo en México regulations. The awards ceremony takes place the same Sunday, September 6, at 10:30 AM, at the Club Atlas Colomos football stadium.
---
Frequently asked questions about the Atlas Half Marathon 2026
When is the Atlas Half Marathon 2026?
Sunday, September 6, 2026, starting at 6:30 AM at Parque El Polvorín, Zapopan, Jalisco.
What's the race distance?
21.0975 km (13.1 miles) — a half marathon, the event's only distance.
Where do I register?
On Asdeporte (asdeporte.com), the official registration platform, or check mediomaraton.com.mx.
How much does registration cost?
It depends on the period: as of August 1, 2026, the current fee is $800 MXN. The cap is 7,000 runners and registration closes September 5 or once the cap is reached, whichever comes first.
Is it a flat course?
No. It has a real elevation change of 337 m gain/loss, with grades up to 13.3%, concentrated mostly between km 8 and km 18.
When do I pick up my kit?
Friday, September 4 (9:00 AM–5:00 PM) or Saturday, September 5 (9:00 AM–4:00 PM), at the Magno Gimnasio at Club Atlas Colomos. There's no pickup on race day.
How much time do I have to finish?
Safety course coverage is 3 hours 30 minutes from the start, with an approximate cutoff at 10:00 AM.
Are there cash prizes?
Yes, over $600,000 MXN in total, including category prizes, the National Prize and the Atlas Jalisco Prize.
---
Luvory during Guadalajara's race season
Guadalajara has a packed calendar of sporting and mass-participation events like the Atlas Half Marathon, and at Luvory Luxury Toilets we know what real sanitary logistics require — from spectator zones and hospitality areas along the route, to brand activations or private events that overlap with race weekend.
VIP toilets, presidential toilets and premium trailers (Royal, Elite and Prestige) for any production — sports, corporate or social — that needs premium sanitary solutions.
Organizing something in Guadalajara during race season? Get a quote from Luvory.
Get a quote now on WhatsApp: +52 33 3324 4946 — we reply within minutes.
You can also write to us at a.martinez@luvory.com.mx for a personalized quote.
Luvory Luxury Toilets — luxury toilets for Mexico's biggest events.