Catalonia (ESP), which has been much discussed in recent months, is a historic region for race walking in Spain.
Catalonia has its own individual championships, so much so that those of 2018 have reached the 98th edition, and were held on Sunday, July 1 with the two walking events (men and women) both on the distance of 5,000m track walk.
5.000m track walk men
It will be a coincidence, but it is always him to keep the bench: Jesus Angel Garcia Bragado (ESP).
Also this year "el hombre de mármol" won his umpteenth title with a time of 20:41.12.
We believe that there are not many who can afford such a result to almost 50 years of age (he will do them on October 17, 2019: anticpate best wishes dear friend !!!), but what amazes is the continuity with his personal best established in Matarò (ESP) ) on July 15, 2009 with the time of 19:49.79.
Second place to Cesar Alberto Herrera Cortez (COL) not yet twenty, who has chased until the end the most titled opponent and finish in 20:45:51 obtaining the personal best.
While the silver of the Championships went to Kevin Cerro Gudino (ESP) in 21:58.02 and the bronze to Marc Guerrero Plaza (ESP) in 22.13.88.
Ten athletes at the start of which nine completed the race and 1 DQ
5.000m track walk women
Also in this race a great result: that of Raquel Gonzalez Campos (ESP) victorious in 21:18.22 close to the personal best (21:07.51) obtained in Cartagena (ESP) on April 29, 2015 before a series of injuries affected her activities.
This year finally the season for Raquel Gonzalez is quite positive with three results on the 5.000m track walk below 22:00.00 and two slightly higher. But even more satisfying are her performances of the 20km with the excellent result of 1:30:15 of La Coruna and the good result of Taicang.
However, in any case the performance of Barcelona catapulted her immediately to the third place in the world ranking on the distance, below updated.
Second place to Beatriz Pascual Rodriguez (ESP) who after a year of absence from the races (2017) has returned to the Spanish national stage with a good 21:58.12 (after competing in San Sebastian in 22:28.65 on May 19 )
Third place to Mar Juarez Gallardo (ESP) in 22:31.13 which represents her personal best.
(photos by Teo Tovar - ESP and Antonio Amigo - ESP)