The third edition of the Havana Skate Marathon was held this weekend on the Cuban capital’s emblematic Malecón with the participation of more than 300 skaters from 16 countries, as well as multiple national exponents of all ages.
The event laid the foundations for the city of Havana to host one of the four stops of the world circuit next year, as announced by the sports director of the World Skate Marathon, the Italian Francesco Zangarini.
In late 2024, event organizers hope to bring together the world’s top 200 skaters during the third stop of the world circuit, which includes three more competitions in Shanghai, China; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and Pescara, Italy.
This year the event once again left very good impressions with long-distance and speed competitions, as well as skill exhibitions. The spotlight was stolen by the 42-kilometer marathon, which was held on a seven-kilometer circuit between La Piragua and Paseo del Prado, with a turn on Neptuno Street and the finish line on the ground floor of the Hotel Nacional.
One of the winners of the test was the Colombian Karol García, runner-up of the 2023 Berlin Marathon, who beat the locals Adriana Cantillo and Lizmarian Pereiro in the 16- to 29-year-old category.
The Colombian skater, who repeated her crown from last year in Havana, said that the terrain was better paved compared to 2022 and the heat was not as intense. “An extremely beautiful setting and a magnificent route, with very happy and beautiful fans. I am grateful that they have invited me to share again and defend the crown won last year,” García said to the Jit digital website.
For her part, Cantillo assured this media that she felt happy with the silver medal since the Colombian was the favorite. “She is a high-level skater who has had a very successful year,” said the Cuban, who has competed in regional and continental multi-sport events in speed competitions.
In addition to the marathon, this Sunday a 504-meter sprint race was held (in salute to the years since Havana was founded), which included a route along the entire length of the wall that borders the coast of Havana.
Among the novelties that animated the event was the inclusion of two new events: the world skate marathon ― in the master category ― and skateboarding.
Also unprecedented at the Havana Skate Marathon was the mixed team time trial test, which brought together skaters over 30 years old, regardless of their categories. The modalities of speed slalom, skatecross and jump were added to them.
The participants also competed in the team time trial race, in which the representatives of Spain reached the top of the podium, followed by those from Germany and the United States.
In addition, it was an opportunity for skaters to exhibit their skills in the speed master marathon, skateboarding, 100-meter sprint, spinning marathon and best trick specialties.
Following are the medalists by category.
Master World Championship
* 30-39 years
Male: 1. Andreu Kuusk (Estonia); 2. Yulién Vallois (France); 3. Daniel Sánchez (Spain).
Women: 1. Celia Jolly (France); 2. Bárbara Hernández (Cuba).
* 40-49 years
Male: 1. Alberto Alemán (Spain); 2. Eugenio Landete (Spain); 3. Luis Alejandro Sainz (Colombia).
Women: 1. Noelia Martínez (Spain); 2. Jean Caroline (France); 3. Jennifer Kirk (United States).
* 50-59 years
Male: 1. Ernesto S. Orta (Spain); 2. Sebastian Mallegol (France); 3. Sergio Melilli (Italy).
Women: 1. Karina Urvoy Brunel (France); 2. Karina Weindors (Germany); 3. Amale Mujica (Spain).
* 60 years and older
Male: 1. Giuseppe Cortese (Italy); 2. Pascal Fernández (France); 3. Hernán Díaz (United States).
Women: 1. Desiana Caniati (Italy); 2. Mariassunta Casoralo (Italy).
Havana Skate Marathon
* 16-29 years
Male: 1. David Quintero (Cuba); 2. Dayán Millán (Cuba); 3. Jesús González (Cuba).
Women: 1. Karol García (Colombia); 2. Adriana Cantillo (Cuba); 3. Lizmarian Pereiro (Cuba).
* 30-39 years
Male: 1. Ernesto Santiago (Devel Project-Cuba); 2. Wendy Fruga (Artemisa, Cuba); 3. Alejandro Martínez (Cuba).
Women: 1. Soljany González (Villa Clara, Cuba); 2. María Carla Fernández (Cuba).
* 40-49 years
Male: 1. Guy Díaz (Cuba); 2. Ariel Moreno (Cienfuegos, Cuba); 3. Isbel Clavero (Devel Project-Cuba).
* 50-59 years
Male: 1. Alexis Laffita (Havana Blue); 2. Adrián Villega (Colombia).
* 60 years and older
Male: 1. Camilo Antonio Loaiza (Colombia); 2. Vladimir Castro (Devel Project-Cuba).
OnCuba/EFE
