Onditz Iturbe and Mikel Ugarte have achieved victory in the 18th edition of the Herri Krosa de Llodio. The test, sponsored by EL CORREO, … It served as a meeting point under the gray sky that dumped rain just before the start of the test. That has spoiled the day. On the contrary. It has reinforced the image of an already consolidated event, with 350 bibs sold out and a lively atmosphere long before the starting gun.
Mikel Ugarte led the men’s event, crossing the finish line with a time of 25’09”. Following him came Koldo Ayesta, with 25’17” and Xabier Labaka, third with 25’42”. Regarding the women’s category, the victory went to Onditz Iturbe, who completed the route in exactly 29 minutes, closely followed by Lola Oiarzabal – four seconds difference and, a little later, Garazi Korta (30’21”). For their part, the first local runners were Josu Arraitz and Ane López.
Iturbe, who knows the local athletic environment well, has recognized the hardness of the effort. “It was very hard for me and I suffered from start to finish,” he explained after arriving. The winner has assured that her initial approach was not to fight for victory. “I came with a friend who I have been tempting a little but I wasn’t looking to be first.” Furthermore, he has highlighted the emotional component of the day. “I was excited to run here and it was nice that some from the public recognized me and encouraged me.”
Family and friends accompanied the runners despite the weather, supporting an outing in which nerves, laughter and very different routines were mixed to warm up. Some chose to jog and stretch, while others preferred to shelter with a hot drink in their hands. Participation was once again diverse, with the presence of young people and adults and the largest female presence recorded to date, with a representation of 20%.
The route maintained the usual layout of the circuit of about eight kilometres, with a gentle profile, which took the athletes from the urban center towards Gardea and then returned along the green route that borders the Nervión River, before facing the final stretch to the finish line in the Plaza Alberto Acero.
A race in which even Spiderman has participated. Although under the mask it was not Peter Parker but Abel Fernández. Although his heroism is comparable. “I have completed 110 marathons wearing the Spiderman suit,” he commented. Fernández is founder of the association ‘Ezina ekinez egina’ and on this occasion he had a plan that time prevented him from fulfilling. “We were going to run with a girl in a chair but due to the weather conditions we couldn’t,” he lamented after crossing the finish line.
However, he was able to accompany Unai Vizcaíno, a runner with low vision with whom he shared kilometers. Vizcaíno recalled how his relationship with athletics began. «I started running marathons when Leire started telling me to go up the mountain. “I knew Abel and from there I started signing up for races.” Regarding the experience of guided running, he added that “it’s great for me because it helps me a lot.” And looking back, he has positively valued his personal evolution. “At first I didn’t run at all and now I can last quite a bit,” he congratulated himself.
