San Silvestre Vallecana 2021 is back to what it was. After a previous atypical edition in its journey and with a reduced format, the leading role returns to the streets of the center of Madrid to the Vallecas neighborhood.
At the official presentation, at the Daoíz y Velarde Municipal Sports Center, not only the participants came to collect their numbers, but also great stars that will travel the ten kilometers that separate the Santiago Bernabéu and the Vallecas Stadium.
Among the great stars who gathered at the press conference, the two top favorites to win the Christmas race stood out: Hellen Obiri and Rodrigue Kwizera.
Obiri: “I want to improve what I achieved in 2018”
Hellen obiri, double Olympic runner-up and 5,000-meter world champion, as well as 2019 cross-country world champion, will monopolize the spotlight in the female category.
However, the opposition for this runner, who already knows what the race is like after finishing second in 2018, will not be easy at all. Her compatriot Edinah Jebitok, Ethiopians Degitu Azimeraw and Haven Hailu, as well as Israel’s Lornah Salpeter will fight for victory. The Spanish Azucena Díaz and Clara Viñarás They represented the great cast of runners in the country that will be in the race.
Kwizera: “I’m ready to run as fast as Kiplimo”
Burundian Rodrigue Kwizera arrives in exceptional condition, so much so that he feels strong enough to match Jacob Kiplimo’s mark in 2018, the test record (26:41). Kenyan Shadrack Koech and Ugandan Boniface Abel Siwoko start, a priori, as maximum rivals for the winner in cross of Itálica, Soria, Venta de Baños, Alcobendas and Lasarte.
Mohamed “Mo” Katir will be the great Spanish bet to win, something that has not happened since Chema Martínez in 2003. It will also be Ayad Lamdassem, who has been on the Vallecano podium five times. Daniel Mateo, Yago Rojo or Abdessamad Oukhelfen will be the other Spanish assets.