The 44th edition of the Cursa Balàfia gathered yesterday about 850 runners in the streets of Lleida, a figure that represents the historical record of participation of the event since its launch. The race, scoring for the Lliga Ponent, once again turned the neighborhood into one of the sporting focuses of the day with routes of 10 and 5 kilometers, in addition to a walk and several children's events.
Record participation in a consolidated event
The response of the participants left the best registration of the 44 editions held until now. The day combined the competitive component with the popular character of an event fully established in the Lleida athletic calendar.
The organization also maintained its collaboration with the Down Lleida association, which installed a refreshment point during the development of the event.
Dominance of El Hassane Lam Dassem in the 10K
In the 10-kilometer race, El Hassane Lam Dassem, an independent athlete, took the victory with a time of 30 minutes and 42 seconds. The second position went to Hamou Ait Mazian, also independent, with 31 minutes and 45 seconds. Kewou Walid, from Maracena Granada, closed the podium with 33 minutes and 49 seconds.
In the women's category, the winner was Blanca Vallés, independent, who crossed the finish line in 38 minutes and 56 seconds. Anna Serra, from Xafatolls, finished second with 39 minutes and 3 seconds, while Berta Cabanas, also from Xafatolls, finished third with 39 minutes and 16 seconds.
Javier Castells wins the 5K
The 5-kilometer race was decided with the victory of Javier Castells, from Finques Prats, with a time of 15 minutes and 11 seconds. Albert Piñol, from Sícoris XC360, was second after stopping the clock at 15 minutes and 37 seconds. Juanma Fernández, independent, completed the first three positions with 16 minutes and 32 seconds.
In the women's category of this distance, Lina Hurme won with 18 minutes and 47 seconds. Marta Gort was second with 19 minutes and 49 seconds, and Judit Martínez, from KM0 Ponent, finished third with a time of 20 minutes and 58 seconds.
The Balàfia Race thus closed a new edition with record figures and with a participation distributed among the competitive events, the walk and the children's races, on a day that once again placed Lleida at the center of popular athletics.