Ibiza Shines With The Spanish 10 Kilometer Road Championship

Ibiza shines with the Spanish 10 kilometer road championship

The best figures of national athletics meet in a historic and competitive day

The paradisiacal setting of Ibiza was the epicenter of the Spanish 10-kilometer road championship, an event that brought together outstanding national athletes in search of glory. The women's event opened the competition at 9:35 in the morning, on a day with optimal weather conditions, away from the winds that hit the island in previous days.

From the first stages of the race, a leading group was formed made up of six exceptional competitors. Among them was the defending champion and current national record holder, Carla Gallardowho had set a record of 31:11 the previous year in Bilbao. They also highlighted Isabel BarreiroSpanish cross country champion; Idaira Prieto10,000 m track champion; and the also talented Lidia Campowho was crowned 10 km road champion in 2024. They completed the group Angela Vicious and the Venezuelan Edymar Daniely Brea.

As the race progressed, the favorites maintained a constant pace, passing kilometer 5 together with a time of 16:03. Idaira Prieto took the initiative, leading the group and responding to Gallardo's acceleration attempts, while Barreiro remained on the lookout, ready for any opportunity.

The outcome came with one kilometer left, when Lidia Campo was left behind. Prieto launched a spectacular change of pace that left her competitors behind. Although Barreiro tried to hold on with a remarkable final effort, Prieto took his first national title at this distance, finishing with an impressive time of 32:11. Barreiro crossed the finish line right behind her, also with a time of 32:11, thus achieving second position. The current champion, Carla Gallardo, finished in third place with 32:17, followed closely by Lidia Campo (32:20) and Ángela Viciosa, who placed fifth with 32:31.

Regarding the team classification, the Vicky Foods Athletics dominated the competition with a combined time of 1:38:40, beating the Bilbao Athletics (1:40:13) and CA Cárnicas Serranowho took third place with a time of 1:42:34.

Abdessamad Oukhelfen wins an exciting men's event

The men's race began 10 minutes later, with a cast of outstanding athletes, including the recent Spanish record holder Said Mechaalwho has a time of 27:25. Other notable competitors on the starting line included Santiago Catrofe, Abdessamad Oukhelfen, Carlos Mayo and Juan Antonio Pérez.

The start was similar to that of the women's event, although with an even larger group in the lead. Catrofe and Mechaal, both from ADA Calvià – Vistasol, assumed the lead from the beginning, increasing the pace and attracting several African athletes, while other favorites remained alert and in contact.

Upon reaching kilometer 5, Catrofe and Oukhelfen set a time of 14:04, even with eight runners in the main group. However, it became clear that Spain's record attempt would not be viable as competitors opted for a more strategic approach, controlling the pace and awaiting the decisive moment.

Again, as in the women's race, the resolution came with one kilometer to go. Oukhelfen made a forceful change of pace, taking off alongside the Ethiopians Gasahu and Kidanu towards the goal. Although he gave way slightly in the final stretch, the Spanish athlete managed to cross the finish line in third position overall and become champion of Spain with a time of 27:52, establishing a new championship record that far surpassed the 28:16 achieved by Jesús Ramos in 2023.

Just behind him, Santiago Catrofe finished with a time of 28:02, having fought vigorously until the end. At the same finish line, Said Mechaal completed the race in third position, also with a time of 28:02.

In the team classification, the ADA Calvià-Vistasol took the title thanks to a total time of 1:24:46, closely followed by Vicky Foods Athletics (1:25:18) and the CA Union Guadalajarawhich reached third place with 1:27:07.