Ana Cerván from Marbella Secures Second Place in Ronda’s 101 Kilometer Race
Ana Cerván, a native of Marbella, secured second place in the walking category of the 101-kilometer race organized by the Legion of Ronda on Saturday. Cerván, who had previously won the grueling race in 2018, 2019, and 2022, led the race for about 70 kilometers before being overtaken by Cristina Palomo.
Impressive Performance Despite Injury
Despite recovering from an injury, Cerván put on an impressive performance, finishing the race in 10 hours, 19 minutes, and 49 seconds, more than 20 minutes faster than her previous best time in this race. This remarkable time earned her the second place.
Stiff Competition from Cristina Palomo
Cerván faced stiff competition from Cristina Palomo, a member of the Alpino Benalmádena team, who finished the race in an impressive 10 hours, 2 minutes, and 53 seconds, securing the first place in the women’s category.
Cerván’s Reaction to Second Place
Cerván expressed her satisfaction with her second-place finish at the finish line, where she made her first statements. She described the race as thrilling and praised Palomo as a great runner. She also expressed her joy at improving her previous time and her gratitude to the race and her supporters.
Close Competition with Palomo
Cerván led the race for the first 70 kilometers, maintaining a good pace. From there, she engaged in a close competition with Palomo, with the lead changing hands between them, until Palomo managed to secure a lead of between four and eight minutes. This lead eventually extended to 17 minutes, securing Palomo’s victory.
Cerván’s Previous Victories
Cerván has previously won the 101-kilometer race of Ronda three times, in 2018, 2019, and 2022. These were consecutive victories, as the race was not held during the pandemic and last year due to logistical issues with the Legion.
Record Time Despite Second Place
This year, Cerván achieved her best time in the race, 10 hours, 19 minutes, and 49 seconds, but had to settle for second place, which is still a great achievement.
About the 101 Kilometer Race of Ronda
The 101-kilometer race of Ronda is organized by the Alejandro Farnesio 4th Legion and the ‘Reyes Católicos’ II Cavalry Group of the Legion, with support from personnel from the Legion Brigade. The race featured 9,000 participants, including 4,000 mountain bikers and 5,000 walkers.