The event, which will take place on July 24 and 25, will feature the first-ever Sinpromi-Islenior Charity Walk this year and is expected to bring together nearly a thousand athletes across various disciplines

La Orotava will once again become the epicenter of inclusive sports with the celebration of a new edition of the Hospiten 8KM Orotava, an event that transcends the competitive sphere to establish itself as a social and charitable gathering with national and international reach. The event was presented at La Orotava City Hall, where the growth of this initiative was highlighted; this year, it is expected to bring together more than 1,000 athletes across the various races and scheduled activities.

The event was presided over by the mayor of La Orotava, Francisco Linares; the island’s Councilor for Sports, Yolanda Moliné; the Councilor for Social Action, Inclusion, and Volunteering, Águeda Fumero; the councilor in charge of Sports, Carlos Díaz; and the director of the Maskmororun sports association and event organizer, Marcos Guardia, who provided details of the program. Also in attendance was a representative from Hospiten, the event’s sponsor.

The Hospiten 8KM Orotava has grown with each edition to become one of the most unique races in the Canary Islands. Its nighttime route through the cobblestone streets and steep slopes of the town’s historic-artistic district offers a unique experience for runners and spectators alike, who enjoy a festive, sports-filled atmosphere that is hard to find at other events on the calendar.

The sporting program kicks off on July 24 at 9:30 p.m. with the 6th Maderas Evelio-Cristalería Drago Night Vertical Race, which can be run individually, in pairs, or as a relay, and which this year will pay tribute to the recently deceased José Ignacio García Martín.

The main day of events will take place on July 25, beginning at 7:30 p.m. with the 10th Hospiten Mini 8KM Orotava, designed for children. At 8:15 p.m., the 2nd Tecnocasa Grandparents’ Race will be held, one of the program’s most heartwarming initiatives and an example of the event’s intergenerational spirit. The main new feature of this year’s event is the 1st Sinpromi-Islenior Charity Walk, which expands participation to people of all ages and abilities and reinforces the organization’s commitment to inclusion.

At 10:00 p.m., the XIV Hospiten 8KM Orotava—already known as the “Urban Zegama”—and the III 4KM Orotava Maderas Evelio will start simultaneously. The main race consists of two laps of a challenging four-kilometer urban circuit, characterized by cobblestones and steep inclines that make the race one of the most spectacular on the regional scene.

The Mini 8KM, Grandparents’ Race, 4KM, and Charity Walk events will also have a strong charitable focus, with proceeds going to the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), Afanes Canarias, and the Pichón Trail Project.

The organizers are also continuing the Maderas Evelio Challenges, designed for those seeking an even more demanding athletic experience, combining the Night Vertical with either the 8KM or the 4KM race.

But the true hallmark of the Hospiten 8KM Orotava remains the “IncluyeT · Superación Permanente,” in collaboration with the La Caixa Foundation through CaixaBank, which will take place from July 20 to 23 and feature talks, roundtables, and meetings led by prominent athletes in the field of adaptive sports. The fifth edition of Incluye-T will feature a lineup of exceptional guests who will share their experiences through dynamic roundtable discussions. Notable speakers include María Petit, a visually impaired communicator and ambassador for the Adecco Foundation; Jesús Ángel García Bragado (“Chuso”), a global track and field legend with eight Olympic appearances; the Argentine marathon team formed by Yo CorroporLua; Biel Ràfols, a trail runner, elite orienteer, and audiovisual producer; and Mario Raúl Martínez (“Mariete”), an ultradistance athlete living with deafblindness due to Usher syndrome. These events will explore everyday stories of resilience and the role of sports as a driver of inclusion.

The goal of this program is to raise awareness about inclusion, equal opportunities, and the power of overcoming challenges through sports. All activities will be free of charge through a reverse ticket system, with all proceeds going to the AECC, the Pichón Trail Project, and Afanes Canarias.

During the presentation, the mayor of La Orotava, Francisco Linares, expressed his satisfaction at hosting this major event, which “surpasses itself and grows with each edition, while keeping values such as inclusion, overcoming challenges, effort, and solidarity intact.” “The 8KM is no longer just a race; it now consists of several races plus a full week of activities where everyone has a place—no one is left out,” he noted. He also emphasized that this initiative offers significant exposure for local heritage and is a major attraction. She thanked the Government of the Canary Islands and the Tenerife Island Council, as well as the various sponsors, for their support, which is essential for each edition.

The island’s Councilor for Sports, Yolanda Moliné, emphasized that the Hospiten 8KM Orotava “is much more than a race; it is an example of how sports can bring people together, foster healthy lifestyles, and promote inclusion and equal opportunities.” She also praised the work of the MaskMororun Sports Association for establishing this event as a benchmark for inclusive sports in the Canary Islands and highlighted the new features of this year’s edition, including the addition of the Islénior Race, which reinforces the Island Council’s commitment to active aging. In addition, he highlighted the importance of the Incluye-T Superación Permanente program, which “reminds us that sports are not just about times, but also about values such as effort, solidarity, and respect,” and reaffirmed the island government’s support for initiatives that “break down barriers, improve people’s quality of life, and demonstrate that when sports and inclusion go hand in hand, society as a whole wins.”

The Councilor for Social Action, Inclusion, and Volunteering, Águeda Fumero, underscored the importance of projects of this magnitude “with a firm commitment to adapted sports, where limits do not exist and values that project positive leadership—such as solidarity, empathy, inclusion, and respect…”. She also emphasized that it is not only about the sporting events—held in the unique setting of the town’s historic district—but also about the incredible program offered by Incluye-T, which in itself is an opportunity to break down barriers and raise awareness.

The Councilor for Sports, Carlos Díaz, noted that La Orotava will once again experience “an intense week of sports, community, and participation,” highlighting that the addition of new events and activities solidifies the so-called La Orotava 2026 Circuit as a project committed to sports for all.

The only registrations still open are for the children’s race and the seniors’ race through the organization’s official platform, while La Orotava finalizes preparations for a week in which sports, solidarity, inclusion, and community will once again take center stage.