Moroccan-Born Adel Mechaal Retains Spanish Cross-Country Title Despite Close Finish

From the middle of the course, the race was very tight between the current champion Adel Mechaal (Catalonia) and the Spaniard of Burundian origin Thierry Ndikumwenayo (Valencian Community). At the end of this 9,500-meter course, it was Ndikumwenayo who won with a time of 30min24, only three seconds behind Mechaal (30min27), reports Marca, specifying that despite Mechaal’s defeat, he retains his title of champion obtained in 2022.

The Moroccan may have lost this race, perhaps due to fatigue after running 1,500m in 3:38.85 on Friday during the Karlsruhe rally (Germany). Sergio Paniagua (Extremadura) and Andreu Blanes (Valencian Community) completed the official podium of the championship.

On the women’s side, the Moroccan Majida Maayouf (Basque Country), a marathon specialist for years, won the race with a time of 35min11. Joselyn Brea (Galicia) of Venezuelan origin, a great duathlon and triathlon athlete, finished with a time of 35min34, but remains the Spanish champion. Cristina Ruiz de Burgos (Castilla y León) with a time of 35min37, Irene-Sánchez Escribano (Castilla-La Mancha) with 35min53 and Laura Luengo (Extremadura) with 35min57 follow.

Several foreign athletes naturalized Spanish or awaiting nationality, represented the different regional teams that participated in this cross-country which took place on an extremely difficult circuit in Las Balsas.