2023-10-01 13:45:46
Abderrahmane Aferdi (1h02:56) and Irene Pelayo (1h14:21) were the winners this Sunday in the Zurich San Sebastián International Half Marathon. The Moroccan and the Cantabrian have prevailed with great authority in the second edition of this race marked by the sun and high temperatures for this time of year.
In the race, with 2,200 runners registered from 42 countries, it was Houssame Benabbou, second place finisher, who took the first few meters. The European 50 kilometer champion left alongside Aferdi, who changed pace after the fifth kilometer. At kilometer 16, despite suffering flatus, he was able to maintain the pace. Prestigious victory for him. «I am very happy because the public has helped me a lot. “This is my first txapela and I am very excited,” he acknowledged.
Men’s podium with Aferdi (winner) between Benabbou and Blanco. Estrada
Second was Benabbou (1h03:17) and third came Jorge Blanco (1h03:27), who was the best of the chasing group in which there were high-level athletes such as Jorge González (fourth; 1h03:34), Daniel Mateo (fifth; 1h03:46), Jesús Olmos (sixth; 1h04:13), Fernando Carro (seventh; 1h04:22) or Ibrahim Chakir (eighth; 1h05:16).
Elena Loyo, winner of the 2022 edition, led the leading female group until the fourteenth kilometer. The long-distance runner from Alava returned to the competition at this event after a year’s break and has proven to be at a good level. However, as she had announced, she left the race before finishing it and Pelayo took advantage of this.
The Cantabrian athlete, current Spanish marathon champion and who followed Loyo, went alone from that moment on and was able to celebrate the victory in Donostia. Behind, the Valencian Yésica Más (1h19:25) and the Aragonese Sara Benedi (1h19:48).
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