The first edition of the Montilivi race was full sporting atmosphere and solidarity around the Girona Municipal Stadium yesterday morning. About six hundred participants, including the president of the Board of Directors of Girona FC, Pere Guardiolathey turned the initiative into a success.
The cold yesterday morning did not scare the athletes, many of whom preferred to run with short sleeve even though the temperature was close to 0 degrees. Moments before the race started they were trying get warm doing the last warm-up exercises. And after a souvenir photo of the children from Casal de Salt, who also participated in the test and were the real protagonists, because the profits go to the organization to which they belong, the horn sounded that gave the shot starting the race.
Since the most important thing was not the result but to contribute to a charitable cause, the feeling conveyed by the runners at the start was excitement and happiness, and not the nerves and tension typical of other events without this conjuncture. Many of them, in fact, took it easy from the start. The first classifieds of the five kilometer race reached the after 20 minutes, and since then a constant stream of athletes has filled the finish line. The winner in the shortest distance has been Miki Hernandezwhich took more than a minute off the runner-up, Joan Rabassedaand almost two to the young runner, Eston Sutherland.
In the 10 kilometers Jordi Baixés he beat by just 10 seconds Marc Cassanyand less than half a minute apart the third has arrived, Garcia-Campero. In the women’s category, Silvia Vilaseca, which was very close to the first 10, was the best in the distance of 5 kilometers. In the 10th he prevailed Merche Martin.
Attractive and varied route
After crossing the finish line, the winners of each category highlighted the attractive route prepared by the organization, with sections of asphalt and others of track, and which passed through the most emblematic areas of the city. At a strictly sporting level, they emphasized the hardness of the last climb before facing the descent and final stretch of Montilivi avenue.
With the progressive arrival of the runners, the heat outside Montilivi increased. The participants recovered their strength in the refreshment area and also took the opportunity to exchange impressions of the race with other athletes.
The family atmosphere was predominant in the test, and it was possible to see how different members of the same unit participated. The matinee closed with the presentation of prizes at 2/4 of 10 in the morning, when practically all the runners had already completed the 5 or 10 kilometers they chose to do.
Guardiola and Girona, allies
The race is an initiative of the Guardiola Sala Foundation and was supported by Girona FC. In fact, Pere Guardiola took part in it and the president Delfí Geli stuck his nose out at the time of departure. During the days leading up to the race, several Girona players such as Aleix Garcia or Valery Fernández, and also coach Míchel Sánchez had encouraged them to participate in this solidarity test.
