50 editions on the quarry road: the Macael club behind Andalusia’s oldest hill climb
The Escudería del Mármol is organising the 50th Subida del Mármol in Macael from 23 to 25 October, Andalusia’s longest-running hill climb, which began in 1970.
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It is 4,300 metres of bends along Macael’s old quarry road, with 258 metres of elevation gain. From 23 to 25 October, that hill on the AL-840 will once again be closed to traffic to host no less than the 50th Subida del Mármol (Marble Hill Climb), a race that, according to the anniversary poster, began in 1970 and that the president of the Andalusian Motorsport Federation last year described as “the longest-running event in Andalusia”.
Behind it is a local club. It is organised by the Escudería del Mármol racing team, based in Macael and chaired by Ana Belén Tapia, who also heads the organising committee for this edition. In February, the Andalusian regional government (Junta de Andalucía) awarded it the Bandera de Andalucía del Deporte (Andalusia Flag for Sport) for this 50th edition and highlighted that the Subida “has established itself as the most emblematic and prestigious motor racing event on the Andalusian hill climb calendar”.
A story that began in 1970
The anniversary poster sums it up with two dates, 1970 and 2026, and a slogan: “50 years of history and passion”. The Junta places the origin of the event in “the early ’70s”. It has not always been possible to race: in 2020, the pandemic forced its cancellation, and the following year it returned with 115 entrants. In 2024 came, according to the Federation, “the biggest entry in its history”, with more than 140 participants.
In July 2022, on collecting the Communication and Tourism award at the 13th Premios Almanzora (Almanzora Awards), Tapia thanked everyone who has worked so that the team “has been able to organise 45 Subidas del Mármol, with all the complexity that entails”, as reported by La Voz de Almería. And, according to the Provincial Council, the event has received “on several occasions” the Andalusian Federation’s award for the best event on the Andalusian hill climb calendar.
Thirty-seven drivers from the team
Enthusiasm for the sport shows in the entry list. The provisional list of 14 October has 124 cars in competition, one short of the maximum set by the regulations, and 37 are racing with the Escudería del Mármol: 26 touring cars, one single-seater and ten car cross vehicles. The team’s cars include a Seat 127, two Seat 124 Especial and a Seat 1430, and the list also features two Porsche 991 GT3 Cup cars.
Last year it was 36 out of 120, and Tapia explained it like this at the Provincial Council’s presentation: “which shows the great enthusiasm for and commitment to motorsport that exists in our land”.
Winning at home
One of those Porsches belongs to Miguel Ángel Clemente, a driver with the team. In 2024 he won the overall touring car classification and, according to the Andalusian Federation’s report, it was his first win in closed-wheel cars at this event “in his last 25 years of competition”. This year he is on the list again.
The anniversary also holds a remembrance for his family. Macael’s first federation-sanctioned slalom, scheduled for Saturday 17 as part of the events for the 50th edition, was presented as a tribute to his brother, Manolo Clemente, “a figure closely linked to motorsport in the town”, according to the Federation.
Why it matters in Macael
For a town of 5,436 residents (INE, 2025), the crowd figures are impressive. At last year’s presentation, the Provincial Council spoke of “more than 20,000 spectators” and of “the sporting event with the largest turnout of spectators and fans in the whole province”. In 2023 it was already highlighting that, during the race, “the number of bookings and hospitality services across the whole district increases significantly”.
The Andalusian Federation also summed it up last year: the Subida combines a passion for motor racing with the identity of “a town that has made marble its hallmark and motorsport a tradition”.
What the 50th will look like
The event gets under way on Friday 23 at 21:00, with the presentation of the teams at the entrance to the town hall. On Saturday 24, from 11:00, come the practice runs and the first two official climbs. On Sunday 25, from 9:00, the final practice run and the last two climbs; the trophies will be presented at 15:30 at the Teatro Municipal (municipal theatre).
The event counts towards the Andalusian Hill Climb Championship and will include a drift exhibition, and on Saturday night the town celebrates the anniversary with the Mármol & Music Fest, featuring Ultraligera. And a request worth bearing in mind: “We ask all fans to follow the organisers’ instructions at all times”, Tapia said in 2024, according to La Voz de Almería.
In 2022, the team was giving thanks for 45 climbs. This weekend, the count reaches fifty.
