Juan Ignacio Grondonhe Carolina Huertas won the Córdoba Half Marathon, the flagship event of Córdoba athletics which concluded its thirty-eighth edition. They crown a unique route that ends with the crossing in first place, in their respective modalities, of the emblematic Puerta del Puente (consult the final ranking here).
It was an exciting race, which was decided in the last meters. Until kilometer 15, there was a quintet of players in the lead who only separated in the final straight. Juan Ignacio Grondona became alone in mind with five kilometers to go and only two other rivals following him, leaving only a trio of runners in the final meters. The Cordovan had an ace up his sleeve and attacked in the last kilometer to cross the finish line, despite his injury.
Victory for Cordoba who took a big advantage over their rivals and made history again at just 26 years old by leaving the province with the title of queen of tests of Cordoba athletics. An injury did not prevent him from revalidating his title from last year. In addition, the day in the capital was respected and the supporters applauded at all times despite the low temperatures.
Grondona, from Cordobés Athletics Club, reached the finish line with a time of 1:07:07, only one second difference compared to the last edition. Behind him came, in second position, the man from Cadiz Miguel Benitez with a score of 1:07:15. The podium was completed by the man from Malaga Sergio Ortizfrom the Trotasierra Hornachuelos club with a time of 1:07:18.
For Grondona, “every time I can enjoy this day I will try because winning the half marathon in your city and also the one we have, which is a national reference, the best tour what can we have with the finish line at Puerta del Puente, the public cheering me on throughout the circuit; I couldn’t miss all the people who came to see me. “We had to suffer as much as possible, it was a tough few days, but it couldn’t be missed.”
In women, Caroline Huertasfrom Club Trotasierra Hornachuelos, won, crossing the finish line with a time of 1:19:13. In this thirty-eighth edition, second place went to Silvia Lara which stopped the clock at 1:19:41. The Jaénienne has already won a silver medal during the last edition of the Córdoba Half-Marathon. The podium was completed by Andrea Rico with a time of 1:23:29.
