The 21K Half Marathon in Guadalajara is considered the best in Latin America in a period of no more than three years.
The event, which will take place this Sunday in its 32nd edition, currently has the bronze certificate and is expecting to receive the gold label from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in the future.
During the presentation of the elite athletes for the 21K GDL 2018, Luis Fernando Ortega Ramos, director general of COMUDE, expressed the desire to make this race the best in Latin America.
"I want to boast that the 21K was designated cultural heritage of the municipality of Guadalajara, we feel proud. In a period of three years, we will make it the number one in Latin America," he emphasized.
The leader mentioned that they currently meet the requirements of the IAAF to obtain the gold certificate, the main one being to have high-level Mexican and foreign competitors.
"These are fundamental moments in the path to obtaining the gold label for the 21K Guadalajara. We have elite athletes, which is one of the fundamental requirements from the IAAF to make it competitive. It is a pleasure to present them in order to take this big step in this historic event on Sunday," he added.
Luis Fernando Ramos recalled the origins of this race in Jalisco, which has evolved year after year to increase its prestige as one of the best Half Marathons.
"It is important not to forget the origins of the Guadalajara Half Marathon. It dates back to 1985, when it was created through an international agreement of the UN and an international agreement for Youth Day," he said.
He continued, "In 2004, it took the date of February to coincide with the anniversary of the city of Guadalajara. In 2015, we had 7,000 participants in the Half Marathon."
He added, "In 2016, we were certified by the IAAF as a model to follow. We increased the number of competitors to 9,000 and made adjustments to the route to make it more attractive and semi-flat, passing through historical sites of the city."
Only last year, it received the bronze label, which it will debut tomorrow, aiming to obtain the gold label, the highest distinction for an athletics event.
"In 2017, we applied for the bronze label from the IAAF and achieved 12,000 participants. For February 18th of this year, we will debut this label, without losing sight of the objective of obtaining the gold label. The challenge is there, we have to achieve the gold label," he said.
Athletes presented
On Saturday, the elite athletes were presented for the historic 21K Half Marathon in Guadalajara 2018, which aims to obtain the gold certificate from the IAAF.
With the desire to achieve this goal from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the raw material, the runners who will try to win the gold medal and the prize money of 80,000 pesos were announced.
In the facilities of the center of the capital of Jalisco, the 21K Electrolit GDL was presented with the presence of event authorities and Mexican and foreign athletes, who promise a show in the streets and avenues of Guadalajara.
Present at the event were Luis Alfonso Torres, director of Electrolit; Martha Patricia Martínez, coordinator of Integral Management of the City of Guadalajara; Esteban Petersen, coordinator of Community Construction of the City Council.
In addition to Luis Fernando Ortega, general director of Comude de Guadalajara; Francisco Borao, president of the International Association of Marathons, and Elena Aguilar, director of the Half Marathon.
Each of the elite runners, some with gold marks, were presented in anticipation of tomorrow when they will showcase their abilities in this event in Jalisco.
The winner in each category will be awarded a prize of 80,000 pesos, and the first Mexican participants to cross the finish line will receive an additional bonus.
The 21K GDL, which celebrates its 32nd edition this year, currently holds the bronze certificate but will fight for the gold label, thanks to its level of competition and organization.
The route will pass through important streets, avenues, and monuments in Guadalajara, such as La Minerva, Avenida Vallarta, the Glorieta de los Niños Héroes, and the Arcos del Milenio, among others.
Below are the elite athletes for the Guadalajara Half Marathon 2018:
Women's Category
1. Madaí Pérez (Mexico)
2. Diana Chentai (Kenya)
3. Meskere Seifu (Ethiopia)
4. Gebiyanesh Ayele (Ethiopia)
5. Flomena Chepchichir (Kenya)
6. Buzunesh Getachew (Ethiopia)
7. Cavaline Nahimana (Burundi)
8. Santa Inés Melchor (Peru)
9. Vianey de la Rosa (Mexico)
10. Mitzari Lozano (Mexico)
11. Marisol Guadalupe Romero (Mexico)
12. Isabel Guadalupe Oropeza Vázquez (Mexico)
13. Brenda Flores (Mexico)
Men's Category
1. Dawit Fikadu (Ethiopia)
2. Rhonzas Lokitam (Kenya)
3. John Nzau (Kenya)
4. Abraham Kiprotich (France)
5. Mourad Marofit (Morocco)
6. Thimothy Kimeli (Kenya)
7. Yerson Orellana (Peru)
8. Jesús Torres (Mexico)
9. Juan Carlos Careda (Mexico)
MC