Puerto Rican victory in Como! Orocoveno Alexander Torres wins the San Blas Half Marathon

Como. Orocoveño Alexander Torres made historical past this Sunday within the 61st version with a time of 1:03.59. San Blas Half MarathonTo develop into the primary Puerto Rican to win the occasion on its worldwide stage.

The primary three editions of the race had been with native athletes and over a distance of 5 kilometers. Later, it was opened to worldwide brokers. A Puerto Rican has not gained since 1966.

“To begin with, I’m glad. It’s been my dream since childhood. Because of my coach (Ricardo Mendoza Canulas). He’s the one who made me the place I’m. We’re coaching for the marathon and that provides me confidence.”Torres stated after his victory.

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“At this time is historical past. This may imply me and all of Puerto Rico. I do know Puerto Rico anticipated that and supported me all the way in which. We did it,” he added.

Torres clocked 1:04.33 to beat runner-up Joseph Banga of Tanzania. Kenya’s Dominic Korir got here in third with 1:07.15.

For Puerto Rico, that is the primary victory within the worldwide editions and the second time the island is represented within the ‘High 3’.. In 1982, Hector “Papo” Díaz of Villapeno completed second with a time of 1:04.42, the perfect report for a Puerto Rican within the Comanán occasion so far.

“This yr I got here underweight. Final yr I ran 140 lbs. This time I ran 133. I paid little consideration. Final yr I put an excessive amount of strain on myself. I believed nothing of it. I set off on the allotted tempo. I saved going out with them (Africans) and learning. I noticed that I could possibly be with them.”Torres stated.

Learn extra | The Wonderful Story of Alexander Torres: He Was Hit by a Automotive, Now the Most Distinguished Lengthy-Distance Runner within the Nation

Torres ran in a pack of seven riders, six of whom had been African. The peloton disintegrated till Torres was alone at kilometer 15, dwelling to the well-known El Ajoquillo slope. Torres is pushed up and takes off favorably.

He took the lead within the descent after El Ajoquillo, who ran at full velocity, or as they are saying in athletics ‘out of the blue’, to keep away from the searching corir.

“After kilometer 9 I began to push and so they answered all the things for me. We got here to Ajoquillo; climbing is my energy and I used to be capable of acquire a couple of meters. From then on, I had a giant benefit. Happening I did one kilometer in 2:34, I used to be so quick Didn’t. I practiced it nicely and jumped with out concern,” he stated.

Torres completed fifth within the 2022 version of San Blas with a time of 1:05.21. On the time, he bested three Africans out of seven African runners who participated.

Alternatively, Paola Figueroa turned the primary Puerto Rican lady to cross the end line with a time of 1:21:01.

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