The mythical Mitja de Granollers, this Sunday with 8,000 registered in all races

This Sunday is debated, at Granollers, one of the great events on the calendar for famous runners: the 37th edition of Mitja Marató Internacional de Granollers, Les Franqueses and La Garriga. And it does so with almost 6,500 runners registered in the three running distances that will be held on Sunday: 5km, the Quart de la La Mitja and the half marathon itself, with brilliant elite posters and a spirit of unity, providing visibility and resources in the fight against CTNNB1 syndrome, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1 in 50,000 children worldwide.

It is an event where professional and famous runners mix and is open to everyone thanks to the children’s races and the walk where many take the opportunity to accompany people with disabilities. At the exit to the street Esteve Terradesthe Mitja circuit was modified to make it faster.

The 5K and Quart de la Mitja distances will start at 9:30 am, while the elite half marathon will start at 10:30 am. With staggered starts, the most popular runners start running later. Repeat the participation of the winner and holder of the circuit record, Purity Temutay, who left the mark last year at an impressive 67’18. The Kenyan, whose best mark of 67’10 was achieved in Lille in 2022, will try to break the circuit record. Its main opponent is Ethiopian Bethelihem Afeniguswinner of the Getafe Half Marathon and has a mark of 67’47, as well as his compatriots Tigist Gerahegne1500 gold at the Tokyo Paralympic Games and Addisie Andalem (68’48).

Regarding the male category, the main favorite is Hagos Gebrhiwetrecent winner of the 10K of San Anton de Jaen with an amazing 27’56. Bronze at the Rio Olympics and the Beijing World Cup in the 5,000, he arrived in top form. He will seek victory against Edmon Kpgentichwith a best score of 59’25, Wisley Kibichi (59’57), Getachew Manresa (60’08), Nehemiah Kipyegon (60’37) and Edwin Kiputo, who just finished fourth at the Santa Pola Half Marathon with 60’59 and 27’53 in the 10K. The brilliant winner of Behobia-San Sebastián 2022 and Catalan champion at this distance, the Catalan Nan Oliveras, will also participate and will be in the front positions.

All those who complete the 21,097 meters of the half marathon will receive, in recognition of their efforts, a very special prize called the Cafito. A cylinder like the one received by the athletes climbing the podium with a logo representing the organization.

Children and Tomorrow, on Saturday

In addition to the adult running races taking place on Sunday, this year there will again be children’s races and the Open. 1,000 girls and boys, between the ages of one and 13, will take part in the festival on Saturday, February 4, on circuits adapted for ages from 50 to 1,500 meters. In the same way, 300 registered, also on Saturday, will start the Open de la Mitja, a non-competitive race usually done on foot and in which some accompany people with disabilities along a route of about 5 kilometers .

Running for a good cause

This year, Quart de la Mitja has a very special meaning. And it is all the participants will do it by supporting the research eliminate CTNNB1 Syndrome, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a change in chromosome 3. Affected children have motor, visual, learning, behavioral and microcephaly problems, among others. Specifically, in Spain there are 16 affected children. Martí, from Granollers and three years old, is one of them and will live, with his parents, a very special day. 10 euros from each registration will be donated to gene therapy research.