Solidarity Run: New Paseo Marítimo in Palma inaugurated with movement and heart

A new Paseo, a communal run — and lots of activity at the harbour

Next weekend the dust and barriers will finally be gone: the freshly refreshed Paseo Marítimo in Palma will be officially opened. The big inauguration is scheduled for November 16, but the city starts the celebration a day earlier with a solidarity run in aid of Projecte Home. On Saturday morning at 10:00, dockworkers, joggers, café owners and the curious will meet to test the promenade in real everyday use for the first time.

What’s on the programme

Saturday starts on time — in typically Mallorcan fashion that means a relaxed punctuality, but the organisers are serious: 10 kilometres along the harbour line, a shorter route for those who prefer walking and families, special children's runs and a communal walk for those who want a gentler pace. Local clubs will additionally offer free classes: morning yoga on a small platform near the Club Náutico, Zumba at the Moll Vell and gentle movement sessions for older participants. Anyone who has had breakfast at the harbour knows the sound of the seagulls, the clatter of sails and the smell of fresh coffee — this morning will feel a bit like that.

Why sport and solidarity go together

Projecte Home works with people who have addiction problems. The idea of combining sport with solidarity is simple and effective: movement brings people together, and the entry fees and donations go to the charity. For the city it is also a welcome opportunity to show the new promenade as an accessible space — wider, greener, with more benches and surprisingly many trash bins. A small luxury: those who arrive early still have time for an espresso at one of the kiosks before the crowds roll in.

Practical information and local tips

Registrations are still possible online until the evening before. The volunteers in orange vests will appreciate it; they will also be the first points of contact at the start. Bring sturdy shoes, a light jacket (the coast can be cool in the morning) and a water bottle — there are water stations, but having your own supply is reassuring. Family-friendly: the children's runs have separate start times and small medals so nobody gets lost in the crowd.

If you still have energy after the run, walk a few minutes on to the Calle de la Lonja and treat yourself to a bowl of horchata — admittedly more of an insider tip for springtime Mallorcans, but why not in autumn? And yes: the new benches work, I tested them. What stands out positively: the promenade feels airier, there is more space for cyclists and pedestrians, and the accesses are wheelchair-friendly.

More than a sporting event — a piece of urban culture

The run is not a record-breaking competition but an occasion for neighbours, tourists and sailors to meet. It is the small conversations after three kilometres, the shared laughter during yoga on the platform and the friendly nod of the dockworkers that make such a morning real. For Palma it means: a piece of everyday life returns to the harbour, with more greenery, more space and a reminder that urban planning is not just concrete but above all spaces for encounters.

So, tempted? Sign up, be on time and perhaps plan a small donation for Projecte Home. And if you prefer things quiet: the free classes are open to everyone — a relaxed start to the weekend with views of the boats, the gentle murmur of the sea and the familiar sounds of a city coming a little closer together again.