Women’s Race

Gran Canaria Women's Race Central Lechera Asturiana 2026

16/03/2026

Antía Castro leads the Pink Tide of more than 3,500 participants in the Gran Canaria Central Lechera Asturiana Women’s Race

The Gran Canaria Central Lechera Asturiana Women’s Race was today the first event of the 2026 national circuit and brought together more than 3,500 women who completed the 5km course, starting at Plaza de Canarias and finishing at the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium after running along the Las Canteras promenade. After the run, they joined the one-hour fitness and aerobics festival in the finish area, led by instructors from GO Fit Las Palmas, BalletFit and Zumba. At the start, a moving tribute was paid to Almudena Rodríguez in recognition of her outstanding sporting career and for being a Canary Islands role model in the world of sport for all girls and young women.

The Galician runner Antía Castro, from the Oysho team, dominated the rest of the women who formed the “Pink Tide” of what is the largest women’s sporting event in Europe, and crossed the finish line alone, stopping the clock at 16:13, with more than a minute and a half advantage over Alba García, who finished second, and more than two minutes ahead of her teammate Lorena Plano, who finished third. Victoria Stephens crossed the finish line in fourth place and Abby Campuzano was fifth overall and the first girl under 15 to complete the course.

Today in Gran Canaria the 2026 national circuit of the Central Lechera Asturiana Women’s Race kicked off with the first race of the season. This was possible thanks to the support of the Cabildo through the Island Sports Institute, the capital’s City Council and the Port Authority of Las Palmas.

In addition to standard registrations, there were up to 100 fully charitable entries in support of the Canary Islands Breast and Gynecological Cancer Association. All participants wore bib number 016 (the hotline for victims of gender-based violence in the Canary Islands). As a new feature this year, a pre-event day was organized focusing on prevention, sport and health, sponsored by Hyundai Canarias, Hospitales San Roque and Centro Comercial Las Arenas.

In the past 2025, the historic milestone of 1,600,000 women participating since 2004 in what is the largest women’s sporting event in Europe was surpassed. In 2026 the goal will continue to be to promote running and aerobic exercise among women of all ages, fight cancer, raise funds to support research and raise awareness of the importance of early prevention, as well as combat gender-based violence and the social and educational inequalities women face in all areas.

This year’s project of the +SolidariAs section was the Frida Kalho Association. The Association, based in Telde and chaired by Mapi Jerez, was founded to promote women’s participation in the cultural sphere through workshops, exhibitions, theatre, talks and training focused on equality, health and sport. They have spent more than 15 years empowering women through culture and art and will be present tomorrow at the runner expo with a stand showcasing their work

Refugee women from CEAR took part once again in the Central Lechera Asturiana Women’s Race in Gran Canaria, which has become a space for connection, well-being and empowerment for thousands of women. Through this initiative, participants in CEAR’s reception programs find an opportunity to share a collective experience, strengthen their self-esteem and enjoy sport within a community.

There were also more than 40 women invited today by the organization through the Red Cross, continuing this line of support for local and inclusive projects. Women from the Cruz Blanca Association and women from the CAED Colegio León also received bibs to take part on Sunday.

The national circuit of the Central Lechera Asturiana Women’s Race 2026 will have the main sponsorship of Central Lechera Asturiana, Oysho and Banco Santander, together with Marlene, Octopus Energía and Neutrogena. With the collaboration of Cosmo, Cadena Dial and Daiichi-Sankyo Astrazeneca and with the support of the city councils of all the cities in the circuit.

The Gran Canaria Women’s Race is supported mainly by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, through the Island Sports Institute and the close collaboration of the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, through the Municipal Institute for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Sport together with the Port Authority of Las Palmas. In addition, at a local level, the sponsors are Hospitales Universitarios San Roque,Olistic and Hyundai Canarias, with the collaboration of Guaguas Municipales, Fonteide, Centro Comercial Las Arenas, Hotel Cristina and GoFit.