ADVANCE – María Pérez and Paul McGrath have staged a historic morning for Spain by being crowned European champions in the half-marathon race walk at Birmingham 2026. Two golds in less than ten minutes for Spanish athletics.
Paul McGrath, at 24 years old, has become the first European champion ever in the half-marathon race walk. The Spaniard also posted a personal best of 1:23:23, confirming his progression and giving Spain its first European gold in Birmingham.
🥇 Paul McGrath gives Spain its first European gold in #Birmingham2026!
First European champion of the half-marathon race walk.
🇪🇸 And María Pérez follows closely behind, ready to seal another historic double for @atletismoRFEA! #AtletismoRTVEpic.twitter.com/yU8TPTjGXw— Teledeporte (@teledeporte) August 15, 2026
María Pérez continues to write golden pages in the history of Spanish athletics. The Granadan athlete has claimed another continental title after the golds achieved in Berlin 2018 (European), Budapest (double at the world championships), Paris (in the mixed Olympic relay) and Tokyo (double at the world championships). Her 1:30:06 also positions her as the world leader of the year at this distance.
MARÍA PÉREZ, EUROPEAN CHAMPION!
🥇 Berlin – Budapest – Paris – Tokyo – #Birmingham2026
The golden path of a rising legend in Spanish sport.
🇪🇸 A second gold in under ten minutes for @atletismoRFEA!
📺 LIVE on #AthleticsRTVE https://t.co/FHAI9QkM68 pic.twitter.com/lx3zUGdSKj— Teledeporte (@teledeporte) August 15, 2026
