Last night in Bilbao, a city in the Basque region in Spain, runners took to the start of the TotalEnergies Bilbao Night Marathon. The event featured three categories: a marathon, a half marathon, and a 10k.
The race would begin at San Mamés Stadium and finish at Guggenheim Musem, taking participants along an urban route through the city. With a spectator-friendly route and plenty of surrounding entertainment, the event promised to draw many supporters.
The event ran in support of “Bilbao Plastic Free Ocean,” a project promoted by Forum Sport and Adidas, with €1 from each registration being donated to support efforts of removing plastics from local waters.
Wiewald And Marco Clinch Marathon Wins
In the men’s marathon, Philipp Wiewald of Hamburg, Germany, was victorious from a three-man breakaway, finishing the race in 2:39:19.
Javier Santos Martin of Basauri, Spain, would come in just 19 seconds behind Wiewald, crossing the line in 2:39:38.
Léonard Leloup of Avon, France, would round out the podium, finishing less than two minutes behind the winner in 2:41:09.
Leloup held a lead over Wiewald and Santos Martin throughout most of the race, coming through the 36k mark with a gap of about 45 seconds. However, he was not able to hold on to his lead through the finish and settled for third.
Dolores Marco Oyarzabal of Lareedo, Spain, would take a dominant win over her competition in the women’s race. She finished in 2:56:29, over 25 minutes ahead of her closest competitor.
Local runner Laura Sáez Carro would take second place, completing the course in 3:24:09. Rounding out the women’s podium would be Sandra Davezat of Albi, Spain, with a time of 3:28:11.
Half Marathon Comes Down To Final Sprint
The men’s and women’s half marathon featured runners from African countries, including Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda, promising a fast and exciting race.
In the men’s half marathon, Ayub Kiptum of Kenya would take a thrilling win in 1:00:31, just six seconds ahead of second-place runner Peter Mwaniki Aila, also of Kenya. Mwaniki Aila would complete the course in 1:00:37.
The close race for the top spot in the men’s half marathon was a highlight for spectators at the event.
Closing out the podium in the men’s half marathon was Ugandan Ali Chebures, who ran an incredible 1:01:16.
In the women’s half marathon, Nelly Jeptoo of Kenya edged out her competitors in a thrilling sprint to the line, completing the course in 1:11:22.
Jeptoo would find herself across the line just one second behind Ethiopian competitor Tegest Ayalew Ymer, who would take second in 1:11:23.
Ayehu Aberaa Bitew would take third with a time of 1:11:30, staying with the leaders throughout the race but was unable to hang on at the end when the pace surged for the line.
Convincing Wins In Men’s And Women’s 10k
In the men’s 10k race, Joanes Goitisolo Otazua of Gernika, Spain, took a convincing win in 30:39, just over 40 seconds ahead of his closest competitors.
It was a true battle for second, however, as Ahmed Ouslimane Ait Laaroussi of Madrid took silver in 31:21, just edging out the bronze medal winner, James Reeder of Bath, England, who finished in 31:28.
On the women’s side, Zaroual Wafa of Morrocco won the 10k in dominant fashion in 33:20, over three and a half minutes ahead of her competition.
Taking second would be Silvia Vega Flores of Spain, who completed the course in 37:06. Closing out the women’s top three was Noemí Peña Lantaron of Spain, who ran 37:21 for the 10k race.
There was no shortage of excitement at the TotalEnergies Bilbao Night Marathon, with a thrilling course and fast finishes. The unique night start time of the event allows for an urban spectator-friendly course that always draws crowds. Undoubtedly, this year’s event was a success, and we look forward to seeing what the next edition will bring.
