A total of 1,000 people participated this Sunday in the III Carrera Popular Día del Ictus, held in Madrid with start and finish at Puente del Rey and routes through Casa de Campo. Driven by the Spanish Society of Neurology and its Cerebrovascular Diseases Group, the event brought together runners and walkers to raise visibility of this disease, raise awareness about its prevention and support research and improvement of its care.
Stroke is a sudden alteration of blood flow to the brain that can cause sequelae that change the lives of those who suffer it and their surroundings. Therefore, this race aims to take awareness beyond the health sector and bring to the public the importance of preventing, recognizing its symptoms, and acting quickly.
With 10- and 4-kilometer races and a non-competitive 4-kilometer walk, the event offered different ways to participate in a day that puts sport at the service of awareness. The three modalities shared a common goal: to remind of the role of healthy habits in prevention and to keep in mind a disease whose impact persists after the initial care.
“With this race we wanted to ensure that awareness of stroke leaves consultations and hospitals and reaches the streets. Because preventing it is in our hands: controlling blood pressure, not smoking, maintaining regular physical activity and a healthy diet can prevent a large part of the cases. But it is also essential that the population knows how to recognize the symptoms and that, in case of any stroke symptom, they know that they must call 112 immediately, because in stroke every minute counts,” stated Dr. Jesús Porta-Etessam, President of SEN, during the day. “I would like to thank the participation of all the runners and participants today. Seeing so many people involved, many of them patients and their families, encourages us to continue working to improve research, treatments and the care of those who have suffered a stroke.”
Celebrated after World Stroke Day, last October 29, this third edition also served to advocate for the need to continue advancing in research, treatments and care for patients and families. A goal that accompanied the participants throughout the morning, from the early starts to the arrival of the popular walk.
In the sporting section, Jorge Vaquerizo (32:29) and Belén Vaya (36:49) dominated the 10-kilometer race, while Jorge Ramon (15:12) and Natalia Herrera (19:17) achieved victory in the 4-kilometer event. The walk, without classification, completed a lineup in which walking was also a way to give visibility to stroke.
Standings
10K Race Standings
Men
1st – Jorge Vaquerizo Sánchez (32:29)
2nd – Juan Santos Benito (32:40)
3rd – Ignacio Ibares Loncán (33:54)
Women
1st – Belén Vaya (36:49)
2nd – Caren Chaile (38:51)
3rd – Celia Pedraza Morillo (40:01)
4K Race Standings
Men
1st – Jorge Ramos Guerra (15:12)
2nd – Gonzalo Romano Rubio (16:59)
3rd – Álvaro Sal Fernández (17:10)
Women
1st – Natalia Herrera Obarrio (19:17)
2nd – Grace Conroy (19:37)
3rd – Carla Jaqueline Martínez Cruz (19:45)
COMPLETE STANDINGS HERE
Dylan Holloway
I’ve always been fascinated by the stories hidden behind a stopwatch, a finish line or a record-breaking performance. At Athletics News, I cover athletes, competitions and the moments shaping track and field, with a particular interest in the people and journeys behind the results.
