Cartagena’s Four Mile Brotherhood Race attracts 500 runners for fourth edition

Around 500 runners took to the streets of Cartagena on Sunday, November 1, for the fourth edition of the Four Mile Brotherhood Race, a popular sporting event that brought together athletics, local traditions and the city’s Holy Week brotherhoods. The race saw participants gather in the historic centre, with both the starting line and finish located on Calle Campos.

Local runners claim top honours

Now in its fourth year, the event has become an established fixture in Cartagena’s vibrant autumn sporting calendar, attracting strong participation and plenty of support from spectators lining the route. 

There were victories for Ángel Castillejo in the absolute men’s category and María de los Llanos García in the absolute women’s category, with both runners taking the top spots in their respective competitions.

The event was marked by a lively atmosphere from both the runners and the spectators, with hundreds of participants joining the race and members of the public turning out to cheer on the athletes. Its combination of community involvement and sporting competition has helped establish it as a popular annual gathering in the city.

Holy week brotherhoods take centre stage

As its name suggests, the Four Mile Brotherhood Race has strong connections to Cartagena’s religious and cultural traditions, with representatives of the city’s Holy Week brotherhoods playing an important part in the occasion. This year’s edition recognised José María Soler Ros, steward of the California Brotherhood and coordinator of the race’s first three editions, by appointing him as the event’s godfather.

Young Estrella Guillén Vilar, representing the Association of the Virgin of the First Sorrow, was named children’s godmother, while Salud Peñalver Luján, president of the Association of the Holy Shroud Marrajo, also represented the event.

Senior representatives of Cartagena’s Holy Week brotherhoods were in attendance, alongside municipal councillors, including representatives from the Sports and Culture departments.

Sporting spirit brings the community together in Cartagena

The strong turnout for the fourth edition highlights the continued popularity of community sporting events in Cartagena, while demonstrating how the city’s sporting calendar can bring together residents, visitors and local cultural organisations. With around 500 people participating this year, the Four Mile Brotherhood Race once again combined physical activity, community spirit, sporting prowess, and Cartagena’s traditional Holy Week heritage.