The marathon gives the first Spanish medals in the European

Athletics kicked off the European Championship in Munich with the celebration of the men’s and women’s marathons and Spain added its first medals thanks to the results of both teams. The women’s team formed by Marta Galimany, Irene Pelayo, Elena Loyo and Laura Méndez won silver thanks to their total time, 7h39’25. For its part, the men’s team formed by Ayad Lamdassem, Jorge Blanco, Daniel Mateo, Yago Rojo and Abdelaziz Merzougi with a final time of 6h38’44. At the individual level, Lamdassem was the best of the men in his sixth position with 2h10’52 and Galimany was the best of the women with 2h31’14.

“The level of the European marathon has increased a lot and to improve on the result we did four years ago is a great achievement”, declared Elena Loyo, recalling the European bronze they achieved in Berlin 2018. “Getting of the team medal is the great goal we have and I’m glad I won. In addition, we improved one position compared to Berlin 2018, so the result is very good”, said Marta Galimany, visibly moved. “I am very happy with the result, how it turned out and how well I managed the race”, assured the Catalan, who arrived at the appointment with the sixth best time of the year with his 2h27’53 from Seville and face the race with the responsibility of being among the best and leading the team. “In June I went to Munich to study the circuit and that knowledge gave me confidence in the race,” he explained of the Continental layout. The organization has prepared a massive route of 42.195 km through the historic center of Munich starting and ending at the Odeonsplatz, under the watchful eye of the imperial lions of the Feldhernhalle.

The streets of Munich are a party as thousands of people fill the circuit for four 10km laps with an impressive final stretch embraced by two grandstands packed with spectators. The women’s marathon was led by Polish Aleksandra Lisowska with a final time of 2h28’36, followed by Croatian Matea Parlov with 2h28’42 and Dutch Nienke Brinkman with 2h28’52. In fact, the result of the Netherlands marathon is very good considering its specialization in mountain races and its victory at the end of May in the Zegama marathon in the Basque Country.

For her part, Irene Pelayo was the second best among the Spanish representatives with position 16 with 2h33’15. Elena Loyo, who came with very little preparation after recovering from an injury, was 18th with 2h34’56. Laura Méndez, who did not finish the Tokyo 2020 Olympic marathon, pulled out the thorn in her side and was 31st with 2h39’15.

Lamdassem, sixth in the men’s marathon

The men’s race was a local party with the individual victory of Richard Ringer with 2h10’2.1 in a tremendous finish that was decided in an emotional final sprint, and the victory of the German team. Two golds that vibrated the many fans who filled the Odeonsplatz. Two Israelis of African origin completed the individual podium, Maru Teferi, second in 2h10’23 and Gashau Ayale, third in 2h10’29. For his part, Ayad Lamdassem was fighting until km 40 with the first in a very compact group, but every meter he lost steam and the final stretch seemed endless. In the end, he crossed the finish line in sixth position with 2h10’52, a result that allowed Spain to win the collective medal. One who didn’t have his day was Daniel Mateo, who suffered muscle problems in the final stage of the test and had to stop several times to recover. The Spaniard was losing ground and Leonese Jorge Blanco took advantage to cross the finish line in 12th with 2h13’18. Mateo was 14th with 2h14’34, Yago Rojo finished his debut in 15th place with 2h14’41 and Abdelaziz Merzougi was 43rd with 2h19’47.

Athletics begins its first day at the European Championships in Munich and runs until Sunday, August 21, with all track events and a walk race on the Munich urban track. As for other Spaniards

Cáceres and Santos, to the last length

Eusebio Cáceres, from Alicante, entered the long-distance final with the third best mark in the qualifying round, also surpassed by Héctor Santos, just one centimeter higher than the cut-off mark.

Cáceres, facing his fifth European Championship, jumped only 7.93 meters, a mark that ensured he would pass and he did not take any chances. He was the third best in the entire qualifying round after the Swedish Thobias Montler (8.06) and the Greek Miltiadis Tentoglou (7.94). Santos, debutant in a full outdoor European, started his tournament with a zero, in the second he did 7.51 and in the third 7.75, a record tenth best.

Heads and tails for Toimil and Tobalina on weight

The Spanish shot put record holder, Belén Toimil, will compete in the weight final by finishing with the tenth best throw in qualification with 17.72 meters. Cantabrian Carlos Tobalina missed the men’s final staying with 19.58 to 33 centimeters from the pass.