San Silvestre Vallecana 2023: Katir, Mario Garcia Romo, who debuts, Tariku and Yago Rojo, at San Silvestre Vallecana 2023
La Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana It is an exciting test. In the streets of Madrid, on December 31, we have been able to enjoy big names in national and international athletics. Kipchoge, Kiplimo, Radcliffe, Dibaba, Fermn Cacho, Martn Fiz, Isaac Viciosa, Marta Domnguez…Stars that have illuminated the streets of Madrid. They have turned the Vallecana into a legendary event.
Mohamed Katir was elevated in 2022 to that category, that of legend, after becoming the first Spanish athlete to win the event since 2003. After the spectacular duel at the summit with the Ugandans Joshua Cheptegei last year, and which concluded with the Murcian in second place, Katir returns to the classic at the end of the year as one of the great favorites to win victory.
His best endorsement is the mark he achieved last year, nothing less than 27:19. If the double world medalist, European medalist, national record holder of 1,500m, 3,000m (indoor) and 5,000m, as well as continental record holder in these last two distances, is capable of equaling or surpassing his level in the last edition, Katir can get back to the top of the podium in Vallecas.
Mario Garca Romo premieres
And from a winner to a debutant in the Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana. Mario Garca Romo It debuts in Vallecas in the 10K distance on the road, where it does not yet have an official brand. Competitive like few others, the 24-year-old from Salamanca will reissue the exciting duels with Mohamed Katirin this case transferring them from the tartan to the streets of Madrid.
It should be remembered that it is current national mile record holder and sixth in the 2023 Budapest World Championships in 1,500 meters, so Garca Romo will surely sell the defeat dearly despite being a neophyte in the distance.
And from one record holder to another, who will debut their new marathon record in Vallecas. Tariku Novales He became the first Spaniard to break down the 2 hour and 6 minute barrier in the Filpides distanceand run the Vallecana with the motivation of challenging his best 10K road record to date, 29:12achieved in the International race in 2018.
Rojo returns to Vallecana
For its part, Madrid Red Iago, who also had an excellent performance in the Valencia Marathon, with a minimum for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, returns to Vallecana after missing the last edition due to injury. ANDIn 2021, Yago Rojo performed his best performance in the test, with a seventh place and improving his personal best in the distance: 28:27.
And from two of our best marathon runners to two great talents in the making who have already proven themselves in thea Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana. Sergio Paniagua He surprised in 2022, touching the podium in Vallecana, just eight seconds behind Jess Ramos. A spectacular time of 28:00 for the Oropesa athlete, who confirmed his great form with a national cross championship runner-up and a bronze in the 2023 Spanish Championships in 5,000 meters and who hopes to continue it at the end of the year.
Aaron Las Heras He also gave a quality lesson in 2022, reaching fifth place, with a spectacular mark: 28:04. Under-20 European champion and under-23 silver medalist, the Barcelona athlete will seek to confirm himself in the national elite on December 31 and seek his place in the history of the event.
Fernando Carro does not fail
And as part of the Vallecana family, it could not be missing Fernando Carro. The current 3,000-meter hurdles record holder is a fixture in the event, whenever injuries have allowed him to. In June of this year he demonstrated his recovery, signing in Madrid 28:01, although he still maintains as a personal best the 27:46 he set in the year of the pandemic, flying in the Alcobendas 10K. Great figures of our athletics who are only a sketch of all the talent and quality that we will see on December 31 through the streets of Madrid. Because the Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana is not another test. She is not just another Saint Sylvester. Is, Plain and simple, the best 10K in the world.
