Marina Guerrero Defends Title at 31st Mitja Marató del Pla de l’Estany
Marina Guerrero Puigdevall has solidified her dominance in the Pla de l’Estany region, securing a consecutive victory at the 31st edition of the Mitja Marató del Pla de l’Estany. Representing Club Natació Banyoles, Guerrero crossed the finish line of the 21-kilometer race on Sunday, April 12, 2026, with a time of 1:19:06.
Guerrero’s performance marks a significant improvement over her winning time from the previous year’s 30th edition, where she clocked 1:20:18. In addition to the overall women’s title, the Banyoles native also claimed the top spot in the female comarcal (county) classification, underscoring her status as the premier distance runner in the area.
The women’s podium was completed by Rachel Tatko, an independent runner who took second place with a time of 1:22:38, and Sonia Bassas Torrent, who finished third at 1:24:00. For those tracking the local standings, Laura Sitja Xiville of C.E.T Distance followed in fourth place overall and second in the comarcal classification with a time of 1:27:41.
A Rare Dead Heat in the Men’s Division
While Guerrero cruised to a solo victory in the women’s field, the men’s category produced a dramatic and rare result. Two Belgian athletes, Julien Hagen Tubert and Benjamin Pinthon Tubert, shared the top step of the podium after crossing the line in a dead heat. Both runners finished with an identical time of 1:09:23.
Hagen Tubert represented Club Natació Banyoles, while Pinthon Tubert competed for the Monflanquin Athletic Club. Rounding out the men’s top three was Pau Castellvell Bella of CN Banyoles, who finished in 1:12:04. Castellvell Bella also earned the title of first place in the men’s comarcal classification.
Record Participation and Community Impact
The 2026 event, organized by Club Natació Banyoles, saw unprecedented interest, setting a new record for total registrations with 1,600 entrants. Of those, 1,286 runners successfully completed either the Half Marathon (21 km) or the Volta a l’Estany (7 km).
Beyond the athletics, the race served a critical community purpose. This year’s edition collaborated with a project to reform the Cardiac Critical Care Unit at the Hospital Universitari de Girona Dr. Josep Trueta, blending high-level sporting competition with local healthcare philanthropy.
Recap: 16th Volta a l’Estany
Alongside the half marathon, the 16th Volta a l’Estany provided a shorter, high-intensity challenge. Nora Massanes Verges of CN Banyoles dominated the women’s field, winning the 7 km race in 0:25:29. She was followed by teammate Guida Pons Triay (0:27:10) and Sara Dorda Sans of Lluïsos de Mataró (0:28:29).
In the men’s 7 km category, Jordi Rabionet Jorda of Contraincendis Girona took the victory with a time of 0:21:39. Arnau Romero Reig and Jerson Josiel Padilla, both independent runners, secured second and third place respectively, finishing in 0:22:45 and 0:22:55.
2026 Mitja Marató del Pla de l’Estany: Key Results
| Category | Athlete | Time | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s General | Marina Guerrero Puigdevall | 1:19:06 | CN Banyoles |
| Men’s General (Tie) | Julien Hagen Tubert | 1:09:23 | CN Banyoles |
| Men’s General (Tie) | Benjamin Pinthon Tubert | 1:09:23 | Monflanquin Athletic Club |
| Volta Women’s | Nora Massanes Verges | 0:25:29 | CN Banyoles |
| Volta Men’s | Jordi Rabionet Jorda | 0:21:39 | Contraincendis Girona |
With the 31st edition now in the books, the event continues to grow as a staple of the regional sporting calendar, combining professional-grade competition with a strong commitment to local health services. For further details on race standings and official timings, fans can refer to the official race reports.
Stay tuned for more updates on the regional athletics circuit. Do you think Marina Guerrero can maintain her streak into the 32nd edition? Let us know in the comments.
