At 43 years old, Spanish cross-country runner José Manuel Cortés Medina secured the M40 gold medal at the Spanish Cross-Country Championship in Hornachuelos, Córdoba, navigating a 5,500-meter course in 17 minutes and 22 seconds. Representing Atletismo Ciudad de Lepe, Cortés outpaced runner-up Mario Molina Salas of CA Puertas Lorca and third-place finisher Diego de la Fuente Ibáñez of CD Surco Lucena, as reported by Huelva24. This victory stands as a sign that he remains incombustible and competitive at his age.
Tackling the Challenging Hills of Hornachuelos
The race tested runners across a demanding three-lap circuit featuring a grueling 600-meter incline. Cortés recalled that the start was exceptionally rapid, prompting him to manage his energy and sit in sixth place during the opening lap. Maintaining his composure, he increased his tempo on the second lap to close the gap on the leaders, entering the final loop just four seconds behind them. He capitalized on his momentum during the final ascent, executing a decisive surge at the end of the hill rather than waiting for the home straightaway to enter the stadium with the gold medal. He revealed to Huelva24 that he has lived un fin de semana intenso
and that he is muy muy contento
for this victory, noting that it was one of the days he had to exert himself the most.
Balancing Past International Success with Daily Ambition
Despite a decorated career that includes international caps for Spain, an Ibero-American 800-meter title, and a master’s world championship in the 1,500 meters, Cortés explained that his focus remains entirely on immediate, everyday goals. He noted that cross-country running has historically presented a greater challenge for him compared to middle-distance events due to his specific physical profile, though the 5.5-kilometer veteran distance ultimately suited his strengths. Having targeted the event as a personal objective since the previous year—following a weather-related postponement that moved the championship to October—he dedicated the post-summer months to precise, careful training.
Future Plans Following the Cordoba Victory
With the championship concluded, Cortés places his latest gold medal alongside his extensive collection of prior trophies before turning his attention toward upcoming training cycles and future competitive milestones. The veteran athlete continues to prioritize new challenges over past accolades, maintaining an active competition schedule within his age category. Quizás pueda sonar a que exagero porque he estado en campeonatos internacionales y he ganado medallas, pero al final yo vivo el día a día y vivo de los retos que me puedo marcar y ganar el Campeonato de España de Cross me hace especial ilusión, porque siempre me ha gustado,
he stated.
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