Aguelmis Rojas (centre) flanked by Norbert Gutiérrez and Angel Arboláez (© Javier Clavelo Robinson)
Aguelmis Rojas ran a solo race from the 4km mark to win his fifth title at the Havana International Half Marathon (Marabana) on Sunday (20 Nov), setting a Cuban record of 1:03:40 in the process.
MEN - A solo effort
Rojas was only challenged by Yosbel Arboláez in the first 12 minutes of the race, but after the 5km mark, run in 14:58, he was on his own with the national record in mind.
The 27-year old passed the first 10km in 30:14 and the 15km in 45:45, before finishing strongly in the last five kilometres, which he covered in 14:52. As such the 2005 Central American and Caribbean champion erased the Cuban standard of 1:03:54, set by Angel Rodríguez in March 2001, and improved the course record of 1:04:10 he set four years ago.
“Things unfolded as I expected. I had prepared for the record and set a pace I could hold, running well on the hills. The weather helped me. I ran a solo race again, but I am getting used to running fast alone here if I want to set good times”, said a happy winner, who was followed home by defending champion Norbert Gutiérrez (1:06:10) and Arboláez (1:06:15).
“I am obviously happy with the time. I could have run a bit faster, but I have extra for next time. I believe that with a better quality field, I can definitely run faster”, added Rojas, who claimed the 2005 Iberoamerican Half Marathon Championships silver medal in Maracaibo, Venezuela, last September.
“The half marathon is my favourite distance and it is great to prepare for the marathon. I also have to improve on the track and the next goal is the 10,000m national record (28:48.96), set by Alberto Cuba in 1989,” confirmed the 2005 CAC 10,000m champion.
The Marabana winner from 2000 to 2003 missed the 2004 edition after running the Olympic marathon in Athens 2004. He had already run two half marathons in under 1:04 in Venezuela, but the courses were not measured by the AIMS. But this time in Havana could enable him to take part at the inaugural CAC Half Marathon Championships, to be held in Negril, Jamaica, on 3 December.
WOMEN - González takes ninth win
The women’s race was taken by 2005 Iberoamerican Half Marathon champion Mariela González, who claimed her ninth Marabana crown after a 1:17:33 effort. The 31-year old Olympian was followed by 2004 winner Yeilén García (1:19:40) and Yudileisis Castillo (1:19:43).
The marathon distance was also contested in Marabana 2005, where Cubans Isbel Milián (2:37:44) and Aracelys Lamonte (3:30:23) took the top honours.
Quirot and Juantorena give their support
Former two-time World 800m champion and Olympic medallist Ana F. Quirot ran an easy race to win her age group category. IAAF Council member Alberto Juantorena started the race and awarded some of the winners.
The 19th edition of Marabana, the largest of the Caribbean, drew more than 1.500 runners from 61 countries in the 21.0975 and 42.195km distances, as well as over a million participants in 3.600 short road races held simultaneously on Saturday all over the Island. Humidity rose to 85% during the race and temperature was around 28 degrees.
Javier Clavelo Robinson for the IAAF
