Santiago Half Marathon: Check the cuts and detours in the transit

The Medio Maratón de Santiago 2026 took place on Sunday, August 30, with thousands of participants gathering for the women-only event held in Ñuñoa. The race featured two distances, 7 kilometers and 21 kilometers, with six thousand women registered for the competition. Starting and finishing at the Estadio Nacional, the event began at 08:00 local time and was expected to conclude by 13:00. As part of the logistical planning, road closures and detours were implemented in several areas of Ñuñoa and Macul communes during the morning and early afternoon hours, specifically between 06:30 and 14:00. These restrictions varied depending on the progress of the runners and included both total and partial closures. Road closures were concentrated around the Estadio Nacional, along the Avenida Grecia-José Pedro Alessandri corridor, and in the sectors of Ramón Cruz-Irarrázaval and Sucre-Salvador. According to the Municipality of Ñuñoa, these closures would remain in effect after the races concluded. Specific segments affected included Pedr de Valdivia Avenue from the stadium’s exit to Avenida Grecia, Ramón Cruz Avenue between Avenida Grecia and Avenida Irarrázaval, and Sucre Avenue between Pedro de Valdivia and Avenida Salvador. Avenida Salvador saw closures between Sucre and Avenida Grecia. Around the Estadio Nacional, Avenida Marathón had complete closures on its western and eastern lanes between Avenida Grecia, Guillermo Mann, and access to the stadium. Guillermo Mann Avenue near Marathón had temporary full closures during the return leg of the race. Access to the stadium via Carlos Dittborn Avenue was fully closed. Additional route adjustments were made along Avenida Macul. For the 7K race, there was a turn back at Los Olmos, while the 21K route required a turn back at El Líbano, near the Halcones area. The municipality recommended using alternative routes, allowing extra travel time, and following traffic instructions to navigate the affected zones effectively. The event marked the first edition of the Medio Maratón de Santiago, which aimed to promote women's participation in long-distance running. Organizers emphasized the importance of safety and accessibility for all participants, ensuring that the course design allowed for smooth transitions between different sections of the city. Local authorities worked closely with event organizers to minimize disruptions to daily life while accommodating the large number of attendees and spectators. The race attracted attention beyond just sports enthusiasts, drawing interest from community leaders and local businesses. Some residents expressed concerns about potential delays caused by the road closures, particularly for those commuting through the affected areas. However, officials assured the public that contingency plans were in place to manage traffic efficiently and ensure the event proceeded without major incidents. In preparation for the event, the Metropolitan Transportation Network remained fully operational on Saturday, August 29, with all lines available for passengers. This ensured that participants could reach the starting point without issues related to public transport availability. Additionally, weather conditions were monitored closely, though no major disruptions were reported due to storms or other meteorological phenomena affecting the region. Authorities confirmed that all necessary measures had been taken to guarantee the safety of athletes and spectators alike. Emergency services were deployed throughout the race route, ready to respond to any unforeseen circumstances. The successful execution of the event depended heavily on coordination among multiple agencies, including municipal departments responsible for urban mobility, security forces, and medical teams stationed at key points along the course. The Medio Maratón de Santiago 2026 concluded with the last group of runners crossing the finish line at the Estadio Nacional shortly before 13:00. Officials reported no major incidents during the event, and the road closures were gradually lifted as planned. The final segment of the race saw the largest concentration of participants, with the 21K distance attracting the majority of competitors.