It took place today in Toledo (ESP) the XXIX edition of the Espada Toledana, with race walking events open to all category, but with the two most important races reserved to the senior category.
Impressive number of participants for one match out of season, which certainly does honor to local organizers.
We have seen the start more than 230 athletes, a number that it is difficult to see in European competitions which usually offer higher numbers only for the youth category.
The Club Atletismo Toledo has managed to line up at the start 162 athlete between boys and girls in U18 and less categoriea and 70 among those of the absolute category (32 women and 38 men).
That says a lot about the fact that if the races are organized also in city centers, the participation is not lacking. Certainly it will be objected that the sponsors were important (and just look at the bottom of the results), but sponsors are also the result of the proposal of organizers and the validity of the race.
One last note: just over a week ago it had played the XXXI Grand Prix of Guadix.
Even in Guadix organizers were able to present at the start high numbers of athlets. Our congratulations to the organizers of Toledo and Guadix.
Now we come to the two most important races.
5km road walk men
The forecast of the eve were mainly for Luis Alberto Amezcua, winner in 2015.
In a final race rather overwhelming, the young Diego Garcia win his first Espada Toledana with the time of 19:37, representin the new best performasnce of the competition.
Second place so for Luis Alberto Amezcua with the time of 19:42.
Third place went to Ivan Pajuelo-Paredes who completed the race in 20:14, after a strong fight with Luis Manuel Corchete (4th in 20:22), José Ignacio Diaz (5th in 20:28) and Marc Tur (6th in 20:29).
5km road walk women
The winner of the last three seasons, Ainhoa Pinedo, had to forfeit the last moment because of a muscle injury.
The victory went to Maria Perez Garcia (first victory in Toledo) with time of 22:30.
Second place went to Lidia Sanchez-Puebla Fernandez who has completed the race in 22:41.
Third place went to Laura Garcia-Caro Lorenzo in 23:00.
(Photo by Club Atletismo Toledo - ESP)
Full results of all categories in the section Results or directly download from this link: click here
A phase of female race
Diego Garcia after the vicotry
The podium of 5km men