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Generali Malaga Marathon, which took place on Sunday in front thousands of spectators in the city streets, set new records for both men and women. Mande Bushendich, a Ugandan runner, won the men’s event in 2 minutes and 6 seconds. Misgane Alemayehu of Ethiopia claimed the women’s title in a time of 2 minutes and 24 seconds. Both marks improved on those set in 2021.
This event has confirmed Malaga as a growing running destination in Spain. There were 22,000 registered runners, of which 17,503 started the half-marathon and marathon routes.
Organisers have confirmed that 16,404 people finished the race, a reflection of the large number of participants despite the heavy rains overnight which left the roads wet at the start.
The conditions improved just before the start at 8.30am as the skies cleared and the rain stopped. The high humidity persisted, but the lack of wind and the recent course changes allowed the elite field to maintain a strong pace early along the seafront.
Decisive gap
Bushendich (28), who is making his first attempt at the full-marathon distance, gained a significant lead around kilometre 35. He was able to reach that point in only 1:45 seconds and opened up a big gap. Mark Korir had set a previous course record of 2:17:39. By running alone the final 15 km, he was able to lower that time.
Mike Kipkorir came in second with a time of 2:08, while Zerei Kbrom was third with a time of 2:09,59. This means that the top three were all under two minutes.
Malaga’s marathon will be the fourth fastest in Spain by 2025 based on the men’s course records, behind Valencia and Barcelona.
Alemayehu made a similar move in the women’s race. She pulled away with the help of a pacemaker late on. She improved the women’s previous record by seven second after a strong sprint. Dorine Jerop came in second with a time of 2:27.08, and Alemitu Tariaku was third in 22:30.05.
Laura Masik took home the title for the women and Nabilchahboun won the race for men.
Strong Spanish performances
The first Spaniard to finish was Daniel Mateo, an Olympian. He finished seventh in overall time in 2:13:14. This is the fastest time ever recorded by a Spanish athlete.
In the women’s field, Estefanía Unzu, widely known as Verdeliss, was the top Spanish finisher and tenth overall with a time of 2:50:08.
