Torrevejense hiker Luis Corchete rises to 5km regional title
Ruben Miguez
Torrevieja welcomed a robust turnout as registrations continued for the 35th Torrevieja Half Marathon and a parallel 5K, scheduled for Sunday in the salt-town by the sea. Nearly a thousand runners from 19 countries have already signed up, including athletes from across Europe, the United States, and distant locales such as the British Virgin Islands. The event draws a wide international field while celebrating local athletic talent and community involvement.
During the event presentation, Diana Box Alonsow, the Torrevieja City Council sports councillor, joined José Manuel Pizana, head of the Torrevieja Athletics Club, and Luis Manuel Bracket, a renowned coach in race walking, to discuss the program and its significance for the region. The gathering underscored the event’s role in promoting sport and healthy living in Torrevieja and the Vega Baja region.
Diana Box emphasized the importance of this race for the town and the local athletics club, which organizes the event. The Half Marathon and the 5K are part of the national long-distance calendar and officially sanctioned by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, reinforcing Torrevieja as a hub for competitive running. For the first time, the event will feature categories for athletes with functional diversity, reflecting a broader commitment to inclusive sport.
RFEA regulations set clear limits for both races: a maximum time of 45 minutes for the 5K, and a cap of two hours and forty-five minutes for the half marathon. Minimum age requirements apply, with 14 for the 5K and 18 for the half marathon; there are also provisions for participants older than 75. This structure ensures fair competition while accommodating a diverse field of entrants.
Of the nearly 1,000 registrations already recorded, roughly 40 percent are women and 60 percent men, a distribution that mirrors ongoing progress toward equality in the sport. Jose Manuel Pizana, president of the Torrevieja Athletics Club, remarked on the significance of maintaining balance in participation and leadership roles within the sport and community events.
Against all odds at the Torrevieja Half Marathon
Registrations remain open until half an hour before each race starts. Online enrollment closes on February 23, with on-site registration available on Saturday and Sunday at designated venues. On Saturday, participants can register at the Habaneras Shopping Center between 17:00 and 20:00, while on Sunday the Municipal Tourism Office will welcome runners from 08:00 until half an hour before race start. A unified count across both days will reflect the same registration totals at each point of sale.
All participants receive a runner’s bag that includes a Joma technical T-shirt, a water bottle donated by the Habaneras Shopping Center, a commemorative gym bag, isotonic drinks, and various sports supplements. Finishers will be awarded an engraved commemorative medal bearing their name and finishing time, a keepsake to mark the achievement.
The event organizers extend thanks to local police, civil protection, the Civil Guard, and all volunteers who have already signed up to help. A health deployment will be active along the route, featuring six ambulances and dedicated health coordinators to ensure participant safety and smooth progression of both the 5K and the half marathon.
Citation: mediomaratontorrevieja.es for event details, schedule and participant information.