On Sunday morning the men’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships unfolded through the streets of Budapest, delivering a photo finish vibe and plenty of drama. Victor Kiplangat of Uganda crossed the line first in 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 53 seconds, with a tight cluster of three Spaniards right behind him. The field showcased a blend of emerging talents and seasoned competitors as the demanding Budapest course tested both endurance and strategy, pushing runners to balance energy conservation with relentless pace.
Relating to
- Spain sits in third place in the medal table, a position that invites question and discussion throughout the event.
- Elated drama as Mondo Duplantis shatters the world record while Kipyegon and Lyles witness a remarkable performance in the track events.
The standout newcomer Tariku Novales emerged as the strongest among the fresh faces, finishing twenty-first with a time of 2 hours, 12 minutes and 39 seconds. He held a twenty-second buffer over Ayad Lamdassem, who placed twenty-second, while Catalan runner Ibrahim Chakir completed the top twenty-five with a time of 2 hours, 13 minutes and 44 seconds. Despite some physical discomfort at the end, all three athletes were satisfied with their performances.
The young Spaniard Lamdassem, who previously placed fifth in Tokyo, faced a tougher race this time around. He explained that the day demanded constant contact and persistence, noting muscle fatigue in his quadriceps as the pace intensified. He tried to stay with the leading group through the 30-kilometer mark but soon encountered increasing pain that altered his final placement. The Lleida-born long-distance runner described the experience as exhausting yet meaningful, given the high level of competition at these championships.
As the race concluded, Lamdassem spoke about his decision to push forward despite retirement thoughts from past World Cups. He highlighted the significance of finishing among strong finishers and praised teammates Álvaro Martín and María Pérez for their gold medals. He also extended best wishes to Ouassim Oumaiz and Mohamed Katir for the 5,000 meters later in the day, underscoring a sense of national pride and team spirit.
Novales, widely regarded as the strongest of the Spanish contenders, reflected on the high level of competition and his own approach. He maintained a steady pace in the early stages, resisted the urge to chase every sprint, and trusted his ability to run his own race. He paid tribute to the team’s physiotherapist Ángel Bassas, who had passed away in a recent accident in New Zealand, recognizing the support from the national federation during a difficult period.
In a candid post-race assessment, Novales admitted that fatigue appeared as the adductor tightened around the 27th kilometer, necessitating a tempo adjustment. He remained satisfied with his overall placement given the brutal pace and the crowded field. The result offered encouragement for his future endeavors and signaled that the Spanish team could build on this experience for upcoming events.
Ibrahim Çakır, a Barcelona athlete with roots in both Spain and Morocco, shared similar reflections. He started with emotion and maintained a solid rhythm among the front pack, facing hamstring and quadriceps issues as the race progressed. Despite those difficulties, he felt pleased with his performance and the progress shown over the course of the day.
Another Spanish-Moroccan competitor, aiming for a top result, acknowledged the tough conditions and the challenge of debuting on a World Championship stage. He recognized the high level of competition, appreciated the effort required to stay within the pack, and expressed happiness with his final position, even if the ultimate goal of a dramatic breakthrough was not met. The day left a lasting impression on the athletes and the coaching staff as they look ahead to future events.