European 5000m bronze medallist, Marta García went into history books as she became the first Spanish woman to win San Silvestre Vallecana 10km road race since 2008 on New Year’s Eve in Vallecas, Madrid, Spain.
The 24 year-old shocked the world Marathon record holder, Ruth Chepngetich who was the favorite and the fastest athlete on paper with a time of 30:29, that she got two years ago in Manchester.
Marta Garcia wins the 2024 San Silvestre Vallecana, Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana on New Year’s Eve in Vallecas, Madrid, Spain. Photo: Race Organisers
Garcia who is a three time Spain 5000m National champion, executed her strategy well, shadowing the former world half marathon record holder, before launching a decisive kick just after the halfway mark and never looked back, cutting the tape first in a new Spanish National record of 31:18.
Chepngetich who is a three time World Marathon major champion, was forced to settle in second place in 31:32 with Spain’s Águeda Marqués wrapping up the podium in 31:34.