To run as a family, as a couple, in a group or alone. To run it seriously or hungover. Even in a costume. To enjoy it, then, just before New Year’s Eve dinner. An appointment marked in red on December 31 with an implantation in Asturias that exceeded participants year after year. “It is a pity that this year is not celebrated as usual, but you have to adapt to the new times. Hopefully in 2021 we can run it again ”.
Today there will be “San Silvestre”In many Asturian places, but individually and through an application. Hence the reflection with some sadness a group of six runners who can always say that they won in the last San Silvestre before the covid. That of 2019. They are Alejandro Onís (Pola de Siero, 2001) and Paula González (Santander, 1985), winners in Oviedo; Martín Acebes (Gijón, 1996) and Isabel Barreiro (Gijón, 1999), winners in Gijón, and Manuel Guerreiro (Oviedo, 1983) and Paula Herrero (Avilés, 1996), winners in Avilés.
At the appointment, organized by LA NUEVA ESPAÑA yesterday in Oviedo, only Martín Acebes is missing, who is recovering from the covid at home. The athletes, among the most outstanding in the region, reflect on an almost blank year that “became tough” and hope to run it “as always” in 2021. “The ‘San Silvestre’ in Gijón is the race that I enjoy the most throughout the year. The options that exist now to run it because of the covid are good to encourage people to play sports and not lose tradition “, explains Isabel Barreiro, who won last year in Gijón in the female category.
Martín Acebes, winner in Gijón, agrees with her. “There is no better race than the ‘San Silvestre’. It is the best to say goodbye to the year. Although there is not a competitive level, I always had the thorn to be able to win it and I did it last year. It was a dream come true, ”says the man from Gijón, who is recovering from the coronavirus at his home.
Alejandro Onís has the experience of winning the “San Silvestre” of the capital. “It’s very sad not to run it this year, but it can’t be done any other way. Virtual races are a good idea ”, says the Sierense, who is clear about the meaning of“ San Silvestre ”. “It is not the most important race because of the result, but it is because of the atmosphere. The assembly of the one in Oviedo is brutal ”.
Paula González was the female winner in Oviedor. “The ‘San Silvestre’ is different because of the people and I have always run it with the mentality of saying goodbye to the year doing what I like the most. I love the one in Oviedo, although I’m from Santander and I’ve only been able to play it twice. In Avilés you have a similar feeling. “It is the race of the year and the one in which the most people participate. Running it for the environment is always special, ”says Manuel Guerreiro, winner in Avilés and teacher in Luarca. “The ‘San Silvestre’ for me is a sacred tradition since I was little. I’ve been living abroad for two years and ending the year in my city running is brutal. Everyone comes out to cheer, even if they don’t like sports “, Paula Herrero, female winner, ends on a test that today will be missed throughout Asturias.
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