The Spanish-Moroccan Ilias Fifa, with a time of 29m39s (9,900 meters), on his return to the event, and Meritxell Soler from Manresa, with a time of 22m58s (6,600 meters), won the international race of the classic Jean Bouin-Gran Premio Allianz, organized by 'Mundo Deportivo' and which was held yesterday in Barcelona with the participation of some 10,000 runners of all ages. Ilias Fifa, 33, achieved a prestigious victory in a test that he already brought to his showcases in 2011, beating the Uruguayan resident of Santa Cristina d'Aro (Girona) Santiago Catrofe by ten seconds, second with 29m49s. Third place on the podium went to the Moroccan Hicham Sigueni, 44 seconds behind the winner (30m13s). In the women's category, Meritxell Soler from Manresa made up for her second place last year, winning with a time of 22m58s, after a strong fight with the Ecuadorian Catherine Tisalema, whom she beat by 23 seconds at the finish line (23m21s). . Gema Martín from Salamanca took third place with a time of 23m32s and a tight finish with Zoia Naumov (23m40s). The other favourite, Esther Guerrero, who was coming off an injury, was fifth with 23m55s. The record for the international men's event in the current circuit is still held by the Kenyan Josphat Kripono Menjo with 29m31s (2009) and in women it is held by the Ethiopian Frehiwat Goshu, with a time of 22m7s.
Before the elite race, the popular ones over 10km and 5km were held. The Australian Marcel Walkington, Oceania triathlon champion, won the 5 km with a time of 14m11s, a new record for the event. In the women's category, the victory went to the santboiana Laura Heredia, European Pentathlon champion, with 17m8s. In the 10 km, Alberto Casas from Jaén beat Bernat Kun from Albacete with a time of 30m27s. In women, Cristina Silva from Barcelona, winner this year of the Cursa de la Mercè and the Behobia-San Sebastián, who won with 34m33s.
