- Hichan Fuini and Marta Belmonte take gold in Torrevieja
The 37th edition of the Torrevieja Half Marathon and the parallel 5K race, was held on Sunday morning in the salt town, and was yet another great success in terms of participation and organization.
Organised by the Torrevieja Athletics Club, in collaboration with the Department of Sports and with the advice of former international walker Luis Corchete, the event has continued to grow in recent years with ever increasing participant numbers from improving best times.
In Sunday’s race there was an increase of 30% compared to last year with around 1,500 registered competitors.
Of the participants, 629 crossed the finish line in the 21 kilometre and 97 metre race and 593 in the 5K race.
The first athlete to cross the finish line was José María Carvana Ortuño, who took part in the wheelchair category, but the winner of the general classification of the half marathon was the Moroccan Hichan seguirni, with a great time of one hour, five minutes and 19 seconds.
In second position was Pablo Bautista Rovira, with 1.05.43; and the third was another Moroccan Elmissouf Abdermayd, in 1.05.59.
In the women’s category, the winner of the 21-kilometre event was Marta Belmonte Molina, with a time of 1.20.30, but she had to battle through the entire race with the second and third finishers, Neus Mas Manchón, with 1.20.41; and Alexandra Tondeur, with 1.20.52.
The first local runners in the half marathon were Stuart Spencer, with 1.09.14; and Estefanía Carbonell Fernández, with 1.31.21.
In the 5 kilometre race, Alejandro Juan Torres, from Club Atletisme Crevillent, won with a time of 14 minutes and 51 seconds. In second position was Jorge Mateu, with 15.02; and the third Álvaro Martínez, with 15.23.
In the Ladies race, Camila Paracchina won the 5K, in a time of 18.59; while the second and third places went to Sandra Hervás, with 19.14; and Etel Joves, in 19.34.
All participants who reached the finish line received a medal and a commemorative Joma t-shirt, as well as a gymsack with energy drinks and supplements.
Photos courtesy of Torrevieja Athletics Club
