The Ibiza Marathon has officially presented its third edition, which includes the 12K as in previous years and now, in addition, the 42K Relay (21K+21K half marathon relay), one of the major innovations in 2019 for the largest sports event on the island. Another innovation is the Ibiza Kids Run CaixaBank, a trial designed to awaken an interest in running from an early age. Altogether, more than 2,400 participants are expected to be mobilised on Saturday 6 April, representing an increase of 15.7% compared to last year.
All of this was explained at an official ceremony held this morning, attended by Francisco Larrey, race director; Carmen Ferrer, deputy mayor of the City Council of Santa Eulària des Riu; Agustí Perea, councillor for Sport, Youth and Festivities of the City Council of Ibiza; Pep Abrines, manager of the Fundació per a l’Esport Balear; and Vicent Torres ‘Benet’, director general for Tourism of the Council of Ibiza.
“At the Council of Santa Eulària des Riu we consider this event as a sports festival that is noted for the excellent reception given to the participants. Furthermore, this year the number of races has been increased with the 42K Relay and the Ibiza Kids Run CaixaBank, leading to the arrival of more people,” affirmed Carmen Ferrer. “At the City Hall of Ibiza, we also support this event because it shows Ibiza as it is: an island for sport,” added Agustín Perea. “As for the organisers, we are very satisfied not only with the positive evolution in the number of participants, but also with the especially good reception we have been given in other countries. This year, for example, we even have runners from the United States. Our objective is to position the Ibiza Marathon as the best running experience in the world,” explained Francisco Larrey.
#RunAndFeel knows no frontiers
In this respect, the international nature of the Ibiza Marathon and its parallel races has been emphasised. In fact, participants from other countries have increased by 17% compared to 2018. Moreover, almost 74% of those registered for the marathon consist of people of up to 49 different nationalities. Furthermore, the presence of women has also been stressed, since 40% of total runners are women, which is symptomatic of the consolidation of female participation in this sports event.
A new edition that promises great results
With regard to the sports competition itself, leading names in the marathon are Eliud Kibet Too and Martin Cheruiyot, who aspire to exceed their personal best marks: 2:11:25 and 2:18:11, respectively. As for the women’s category, the Ethiopian athlete, Belainesh Yami Gurmu, has been mentioned, having chosen the Ibiza Marathon for her debut in the maximum race distance. In the 12K, Annass Bourass, José Carlos Añibarro, Antonio Franco (winner of the men’s race in 2018), Ilaria Tersigni (winner of the women’s race in 2017 and 2018) and the international Gema Martín, of the Bilbao Atletismo Santutxu Club, are the favourites. Furthermore, Natacha López, the Valencian runner of C.A. Cárnicas Serrano, will compete as ambassador of the 42K Relay (21K+21K relay marathon) with her husband, David Serrano.
Figures that show the scale of the Ibiza Marathon
The largest sports event of Ibiza will this year benefit from an organisation team formed by more than 350 people, whose aim is to take the best possible care of the runners. Moreover, it is relevant that in this third edition 37 aid stations will be set out along the circuits and back-up will be provided by a free bus service to facilitate the transfer of the participants between the starting and finishing points of the different races in Ibiza, Santa Eulària des Riu and Santa Gertrudis.
“The Ibiza Marathon and its complementary races fulfil several very important functions, such as transmitting values for a better society, communicating the cultural and natural heritage of the island and extending the season, so that the economic motor starts to run earlier,” pointed out Pep Abrines. “In fact, the tourist season enters through the front door. Furthermore, the Ibiza Marathon represents an economic impact of almost two million euros in the first week of April,” concluded Vicent Torres ‘Benet’.
It is still possible to take part in the Ibiza running experience
Registration is still open for the Ibiza Marathon, 12K and 42K Relay on the official web page until 11.59 p.m. tonight, Thursday 4 April. The last bib numbers can be acquired in person during the Expo Ibiza Marathon – on Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Palau de Congressos d’Eivissa – for the price corresponding to late entries: 90 euros for the marathon, 30 euros for the 12K and 120 euros for the relay trial. All those registered will be entitled to free entry to the official #RunAndFeel fiesta which will be held at the Heart Ibiza club on the evening of 6 April.