Tajamar school celebrates its 29th edition of the popular 500-kilometre relay race on Thursday, September 24, with a start time of 10:45 and around 1,000 participants. The event, which is now in its 29th year, aims for parents and children to share 48 hours of physical activity away from their mobile phones.
The Tajamar school in Madrid is launching the 29th edition of its popular 500-kilometre relay race this Thursday, September 24. The race will start at 10:45 am with around 1,000 participants, according to the organisers. This year's goal is to provide families with a healthy leisure time together and disconnect from screens.
The event, held every September since 1996, involves completing 50 relays of 10 kilometres each over 48 uninterrupted hours. Most of the segments are run by students accompanied by their parents. The route runs along secondary roads and crosses the provinces of Madrid, Guadalajara, Soria, Navarra, Zaragoza, and Huesca, ending at the finish line located at the sanctuary of Torreciudad (Huesca).
The night relays are taken on by athletes from the Tajamar sports club and a group of volunteer soldiers who cover the more challenging segments. The initiative aims to combat the so-called screen effect, as, according to the Qustodio 2026 Report, teenagers spend between 4 and 6 hours daily in front of their mobile phones. It also seeks to reduce phubbing, the practice of ignoring those next to you in favour of attending to your phone.
This race is a concrete proposal to stop doing an 'infinite scroll' for 48 hours and for parents and children to look each other in the eye again,” says the school's director, Jaime Pérez.
The organisation mobilises much of the school. The AMPA has provided families with accommodation and transport to Torreciudad so they can complete the last relay together and cross the finish line. The catering contractor, Mediterránea, is responsible for supplying food on Thursday and Friday nights and for Saturday's meals.
This event promotes physical activity and stimulates against sedentary lifestyles: I remember that the Ministry of Health states that 28% of the population does not engage in physical activity,” highlights the race director, Luis Elejalde.
The race will start this Thursday at 10:45 from Tajamar school (Calle de la Isla de Java, Madrid). The arrival at Torreciudad is expected on Saturday, September 26.
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