Gandia has turned a beach running event into a showcase for sports tourism, with local officials and runners joining a route that mixed exercise, leisure and the citys natural setting. The latest edition of Levantate Corriendo took place on the beach of Gandia and was organised by Club de Correr El Garbi with the citys tourism and sports departments.
The activity is designed to help participants discover some of the municipalitys most recognisable spaces through sport. It is not a race, but a guided experience that aims to promote healthy habits while highlighting Gandias natural and urban heritage.
Among those taking part were the mayor of Gandia, Jose Manuel Prieto, and councillors Jesus Naveiro and Balbina Sendra, who ran alongside other participants. The route covered the beaches of Gandia and Venecia, adding a coastal backdrop to an event that organisers say is now firmly established in the local tourism calendar.
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Each route is about 8 to 9 kilometres long and is adapted to different fitness levels. Monitors and club volunteers set varying paces so more people can join in, whether they are regular runners or more casual participants.
The next two outings are due to take place in August, continuing the programme after the beach session. The first is scheduled for 8 August and will take runners through the Ullals and the Cami de l’Escorredor, while the final route of this edition is planned for 22 August and will include the Alqueria del Duc and Gandias historic centre.
Local organisers have presented Levantate Corriendo as a combination of sport, leisure and destination marketing rather than competition. That approach has helped the event draw attention to Gandia beyond its beaches, with the programme aiming to encourage visitors and residents to see more of the city on foot.
The initiative also reflects a wider trend in tourism promotion, where destinations use outdoor activities to attract visitors outside the traditional sun-and-sand offer. In Gandia, the running routes have become part of that effort, linking coastal scenery with inland heritage sites and giving participants a different way to experience the area.
For the city, the event offers a relatively low-cost and accessible format that can appeal to a broad audience. The emphasis on inclusivity, steady pacing and volunteer support means the runs are open to people of mixed ability, which organisers say helps widen participation.
Levante Corriendo has also become a public platform for the local council, which uses the event to underline its focus on healthy lifestyles and outdoor recreation. By bringing together elected officials, club members and residents, the routes have added a social dimension to Gandias sports tourism strategy.
With two more dates set for August, the programme is expected to continue drawing attention to some of Gandias lesser-known landscapes and heritage areas. Organisers are aiming to maintain that balance between physical activity and place promotion as the edition concludes later this month.
Photo Credit: Instagram / josemanuelprieto
