The Camino de Santiago is Spain’s very legendary, and very extensive pilgrimage network. It traditionally takes weeks to complete on foot, so what if you’re a runner looking to tackle this historic journey in just seven days? Is it possible? Well, the answer depends on your fitness level, route selection, and expectations.
Not for weekend warriors
Running a Camino route in a week requires a good amount of cardio fitness, and perhaps even some ultra-distance running experience. Many cover 60 to 100+ kilometers daily, and it’s not always flat either. It’s not so much about whether you’ve run a marathon before, but could you run another one the next day? Of course, you needn’t run against the clock like a marathon, and you should break it into chunks throughout the day.
Then there’s the mental aspect, in which you need to be comfortable with a route that is potentially over 500km long – you can’t persuade yourself that it’s over before you go to bed tonight.
Months of preparation are needed, and this includes back-to-back long runs, hill training, and multi-day running practice.
Route selection – Choose wisely
The famous Camino Francés stretches 800 kilometers (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago). It’s the most popular route and it’s right on the cusp of being impossible to complete inside a week. It requires over 110km a day, and this is something that even seasoned ultramarathoners can struggle with. But, it’s far from your only option, and the likes of Orbis Ways nicely lay out the many routes to choose from (plus they can transfer your luggage for you, should you want to run without a backpack).
Shorter routes like the Camino Inglés (120 kilometers) exist, which could be completed in just a couple of day, leaving time for a more measured pace and culture stops. The Camino Portugués from Porto (240 kilometers) is about right for more intermediates, in which they can run 35 kilometers each day, which is manageable for good runners even with little multi-day running experience.
The Camino Primitivo (320 kilometers) is a great middle ground to push intermediates, and even present a challenge for experienced runners. It’s also mountainous, which adds even more difficulty. This is one for the trail running enthusiasts who want to level up their feats.
Why Camino routes excel for running
Despite the physical challenges, Camino routes are perfect for runners because the infrastructure is just exceptional – centuries of pilgrim traffic have created well-maintained paths, and all the signage is easy to catch at a glimpse (you hardly need to check your Google Maps). The distinctive yellow arrows and scallop shell symbols can be understood even when running past.
Regular villages along the way makes it easy to resupply, stop off for food and grab any medication you might need. Albergues (pilgrim hostels) are all around too, meaning you don’t have to add another 20km onto your day’s run if one is booked up – they are everywhere, meaning your route is customisable.
The bigger picture
While running a Camino in a week is certainly possible, the route selection is really important. You need to be comfortable enough with the daily distance so that you can do it again the next day.
For most runners, a compromise approach is best, where you can spend some parts of the day walking to soak in the cultural spots and stop off for local food. Otherwise, you will see the route, but your experience of it may be more limited.
