Over 7,000 Athletes are Put to the Test in the Ronda 101 Kilometre Race Walk

Over 7,000 athletes were put to the test on 12thand 13th May in the now traditional 101 kilometre Ronda race walk (Málaga), which the Legion Brigade organises annually.  The racewalker Mr. Manuel Serrano obtained the best time by covering the distance in 9 hours and 14 minutes.
 

In the Duathlon category, Mr. José Manuel López was the first to cross the finishing line (5 hours and 17 minutes); in Cycling, Mr. José Manuel Márquez was the winner with a time of 3 hours and 47 minutes; and in Patrols, 4th Legion Regiment ‘Alejandro Farnesio’, beat the other participating teams in 12 hours and 19 minutes. Within each category, the athletes are distributed into various sub-categories: men’s, women’s, senior, teams, etc. 
 

Of all the participants, more than 1,300 were servicepersons, the bulk of whom participated in the Patrols category, in which 84 teams from nearly every Army unit participated.  Also participating were members from the rest of the Armed Forces and National Security Corps and Forces.  

To the long distance and the harshness of the route, the heat factor at this race had to be added, since high temperatures were experienced during the entire weekend.  Despite this, however, the fine race organization allowed there to be hardly any incidents.  
 

This race, a reference in the world of ultra distance competition, is always a showcase of sports values such as camaraderie and a great drive to excel.  As General Leza, commander of the Legion Brigade, said on giving the starting signal for the event: ‘The spirit of sacrifice and self-improvement, which these race walk participants have always proudly displayed, is what Spain needs nowadays’.