Local athletes give life to the Marathon of Cuenca
Two younger brothers of 15 years who ran in less than 1h45m the 21 km, older people of 70 who experienced their first long-range competition, words of encouragement and hydration that the athletes crossed in the journey without even knowing each other, gave the touch special to the 27 edition of the Cuenca Marathon "Dr. Leonardo Morales "who had close to 1.900 registered and who registered as absolute winners to the Azuayos Freddy Tenesaca and Ana Coello.
Freddy, who does gardening work at the Universidad del Azuay, crossed the finish line at 2h50m29s to the joy of his daughter Talía (10 years) and his wife Diana Criollo. The 32 athlete from Tarqui parish celebrated his day with a victory in what was his second marathon.
Last year he was baptized with a third place in the General, in the same competition, with a time of 2h49m43s. "The other time it was half rainy and it acolyted me a little bit ... now I wanted to improve but it was not possible".
The second place took him around 10 minutes. It was Diego Velasteguí, from Rio de Janeiro, of 35 years (3h00m33s). His wife Nora Maldonado and his daughter Eliana (9 months) were attentive to receive the forestry engineer who practices triathlon. "Running gets me ahead and makes me think better, changes one's life." Last year he was fourth in the General with 3h00m49s. This year Carlos Gutiérrez finished the podium with 3h14m20s.
In the female branch stood out the expatinadora Ana Coello who experienced her first marathon with a time of 3h36m38s. It was selected national and it was fifth in a Pan-American. Eight years ago he left the activity. Paola Sangurima came second with 3h42m52s and Karla Calderón was third with 4h15m01s.
"Since I left the skating I have not stopped training, I love it, I love sports, I do it for hobbies rather than for winning ... Everything we put in our minds we can achieve," said the winner.
Of all the participants a good percentage (1.073) was concentrated in the half marathon (21,097 km). Among Azogues athletes like Paúl Paladin; of Loja as Israel Sarmiento; and from other provinces, accolades and applause were received by Senior Adults, athletes such as Juan Páez (78 years) or Víctor Cabrera, who at his 70 years decided to run the first half marathon of his life. "First I did it for health then to show the children that there is no age for the sport."
Francisco Abril, head of the Department of Culture and Sports of the Municipality of Cuenca, organizer of the event with support from ACSAM, Luis Chocho School and Club A Correr, highlighted the massive participation of local athletes and lamented the absence of foreigners elite weigh to the invitation made. The competition does not award economic prizes only trophies and medals to the winners by category.
Charts
Winners of the half marathon
Leonardo Tenepaguay (1h14m01s), Juan Saquipay (1h14m14s) and Víctor Buestán (1h15m41s), in males; Elizabeth Bravo (1h21m34s), Monica Cajamarca (1h23m16s) and Gabriela Reinoso (1h33m51s), in ladies, achieved the best marks in the 21,097 km. They are all Cuencans.
The "Lucio" break paradigms
They are from Bolívar but five years ago they live in Cuenca. They train with Professor Julio Chuqui. With their parents' permission they ran their first half marathon. Eros Lucio, from 13 years ago, made 1h33m36s; his brother Oscar, from 12, arrived at 1h44m39s with a headband that bore the phrase: It will not be easy but you will get it.
The family, the great inspiration
There was not a sportsman who, upon reaching the goal, dedicated his career to the family. An example was Marco Chaca. He arrived at the 662 post with a time of 2h24m13s. On Father's Day he decided to treat himself to his first long-winded race and dedicate it to his wife and three children. His gesture had the reverence of the attendees.