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Marta García returns to the San Silvestre Vallecana to defend her title and make history

Marta García returns to the San Silvestre Vallecana to defend her historic title while new rivals seek to dethrone her.

Marcos LópezMarcos López· · 2 min read

The anticipated return of Marta García

December 31st is approaching and with it, the San Silvestre Vallecana 2025, one of the most emblematic races in the Spanish athletics calendar. This year, the event promises to be even more exciting with the return of Marta García, who comes as the reigning champion after breaking a long drought in national women's athletics.

The athlete from León made history last year by becoming the first Spanish woman to win this prestigious race since Marta Domínguez in 2008. Her victory was not only a personal achievement but also marked a resurgence for Spanish female runners, who had been absent from the podium for 17 years. With an impressive time of 31:19, Marta set the best Spanish record in the history of the event, surpassing international competitors like Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich.

Although Marta is undoubtedly one of the favourites, it will not be easy to maintain her title. Among her main rivals is Carla Gallardo, the current national record holder for 10K on the road with a time of 31:11. Carla arrives in Madrid after finishing fifth in the previous edition and is determined to give her best to reach the podium.

This year, the Spanish female representation is notably strong. In addition to Marta and Carla, other prominent athletes such as Fátima Ouhaddou, European marathon champion, and Majida Maayouf, runner-up in the same event, will be competing. Both have recently proven their worth and will bring great competitiveness to the event.

Not only the mentioned names promise excitement; runners like Marta Serrano, double national champion in the 3,000 meters steeplechase, along with other talented athletes like Lucía Rodríguez and Lidia Campo, are also joining. The combination of these sportswomen sets up a national participation that could be remembered as one of the most outstanding in recent years.

As the event day approaches, expectations are rising not only among local fans but also among international athletics followers. The San Silvestre Vallecana is not just a race; it is a symbol of the effort and dedication that characterises Spanish sport.

Marcos López

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Marcos López