--- title: "Everything you need to know about Clásica Candelaria 2026" published: 2026-02-07 updated: 2026-08-04 source: "https://dev-abp.massivoai.com/en/articles/todo-lo-que-necesitas-saber-de-la-clasica-candelaria-2026" --- # Everything you need to know about Clásica Candelaria 2026 **Tomorrow the 43rd edition of the Clásica Candelaria Internacional will run with a total sellout of 6500 officially registered runners — it's crazy! We're sharing important information so you can prepare in the best way possible:** **Start times**. The start will be staggered by category and starting corral: - 6:15 a.m.: adaptive athletics. - 6:25 a.m. Elites. - 6:30 a.m. Block A (blue wristband) - 6:35 a.m. Block B (yellow wristband) In your runner's kit you should have received a wristband with the corresponding color of your corral. It's important to note that the start will be inside the Paseo Metrópoli shopping center and **only participants with their race number** properly displayed on their clothing will be allowed to enter. In [**this video**](https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17p2VmRY4b/) you can see more details about the corrals.   And here comes something that I'm sure you won't pay attention to but I'm telling you so you don't say later that I didn't warn you: plan everything so that you arrive at least one hour before the start. Watch out because there will be more than 7000 people (registered + gate-crashers + people hanging around) trying to access the same place, with their families, cars, people cutting in line, motorcycles, cyclists, press and more. From experience I can tell you that by 5:45 the track access is going to be jammed by the crowd, and there's nothing worse than the stress of knowing you won't make it on time. It doesn't hurt to wake up half an hour earlier than planned and arrive calm and with time to spare at the starting area. **Cold**. We've all been freezing these past few days, now imagine Cartaguito at 5:30 a.m. and you standing there waiting for the start that will be in 1 hour. The expected temperature is 14 degrees so you have an idea and bring the fuzzy blanket from home if you want. There will be a coat check near the corral area, so you can leave your sweater, jacket and blanket all good to pick them up later in Paraíso. **Course and hydration stations.** One of the things that makes the Clásica Candelaria so popular is its course. It will be 10k certified by World Athletics, so it's exactly 10k. After the starting ramp at Paseo Metrópoli, which is an intense but short climb, the course is one of the flattest you'll find in Costa Rica. It's mostly downhill, with a net descent of 88 meters, and has only a couple of slight, brief hills as you approach Paraíso. There will be three hydration stations on the course, all with water in bottles. **Parking and transportation.** If you don't have one of the 300 stickers that the organization handed out during kit pickup, you won't be able to park inside Paseo Metrópoli. For those who do have one, parking will open from 3:30 a.m., and watch out because access has its trick (you can't enter directly if you're coming from San José, you have to make a U-turn and enter from the access as if coming from Cartago, watch the video [**HERE**](https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1QMEPgNCYG/). Parking access will close at 6 a.m., so even with a sticker, after that time you won't be able to enter). If you're going to park in Paraíso, Coopepar buses will leave from the old Ferretería Ulloa starting at 5:00 a.m., at a cost of ¢650. **Photos and results.** The official photos from La Candelaria Internacional 2026 will be handled by Póngale, so you'll be able to find your photo among thousands and thousands of photos by just taking a selfie or entering your participant number in the search. You can access the gallery [**HERE**](https://photos.massivoai.com/es/gallery/la-candelaria-feb-2026-cr). Results will be available in real time, you can access them [**HERE**](../../../race/result/1056/clasica-candelaria-2026). All in all, Candelaria is a party! It's going to be an amazing atmosphere. Enjoy the cold, hug your people, **be patient at the start** (after all the time is measured by chip so relax), don't push, respect the other runners, don't get desperate. Once you go up the ramp and you're on the track, feel the breeze on your face and run your best race. Be aware of the privilege of being there. Living. Running. Breathing. A Buen Paso uses [Massivo](https://massivoai.com), the event-registration platform that powers this article.