Pablo Benito and Paula Mayero, winners of the half marathon

2023-05-14 11:05:18

Pablo Benito from Vitoria has met the forecasts to win the 21 kilometer Martín Fiz Half Marathon with a time of 1:09.06. Martín Fiz’s pupil manages with this victory to win in the three distances in a row. In 2021 he was the winner of the marathon and last year of the popular race. «From kilometer 3 I have marched alone. The rain has not prevented people from feeling cheering. The journey has been spectacular. I congratulate the organization”, he declared exultantly.

At a great distance, Gustavo Sánchez with 1:12.08 has been second, while Alejandro Paredero has completed the podium. In the women’s category, Paula Mayero from Madrid took the title with a time of 1:23.38 after beating María Navascués in the last kilometer, who had led the race for many kilometers. The third to have completed the podium has been the triathlete Diana Vecillas. “I have enjoyed the circuit a lot. In the last kilometer I have seen a girl and I have given everything to get over her. I am a swimmer, so I move well with the water”, she declared with humor after covering the 21 kilometers under a strong storm that has not stopped since the event began.

under heavy rain

The 20th edition of the Martín Fiz Marathon in Vitoria began at 8:30 a.m. on a day of heavy rain that did not prevent 2,600 athletes from taking the start from Paseo de Cervantes, where the finish line is also located. The countdown has given way to the thousands of participants in the race sponsored by EL CORREO, 71 of them from 28 different countries, who, dressed in raincoats and suitable clothes to avoid the rain, will face a special edition, a 20th anniversary of a event that, this year, has homologated its marathon circuit and is part of the national calendar.

The athletes face three distances, 10, 21 and 42 kilometers. The queen test has passed through the center of the city. Borja Abecia from Alimco Running Fiz and Mercedes Pila, Spanish champion of 100 kilometers, are the favorites in the queen distance.

In the popular test, Martín Fiz himself together with Kamel Ziani, winner of the first Vitoria marathon held in 2003, will cover the 10 kilometres. The Álava champion Nieves Zarza has also confirmed her presence.

Starting at 12:00, in the El Prado park, the txiki test will be held with more than 300 boys and girls. The event is charitable and the proceeds will go to the Aspanafoa association.