Dominican Álvaro Abreu repeats as Toa Baja Marathon champion

Dominican Álvaro Abreu Martínez won his second-straight overall title at the Toa Baja Marathon with an official time of two hours, 16 minutes and five seconds.

By THE STAR STAFF

Dominican Álvaro Abreu Martínez successfully defended his title at the Toa Baja Marathon this past Sunday, winning the second edition of the event with an official time of two hours, 16 minutes and five seconds in a race that featured more than 1,200 runners and other participants.

In the women’s category, Ethiopian Werkuha Getachew Voldemanuel dominated the field with a time of 2:36:09, recording the best women’s time for the event to date and confirming the high level of international competition that characterized this edition of the 42-kilometer race.

Second and third place in the men’s category went to Dominicans Amauri David Rodríguez Grullón (2:25:53) and Puerto Rican Kevin Burgos Collazo (2:30:06), respectively, with Burgos Collazo being the top local finisher.

On the women’s side the podium was completed by Kenyans runner-up Kellen Mukani WaiThira (2:45:51) and third-place finisher Leah Jebiwot Kigen (2:52:03).

The race started at 4 a.m. and covered several of the municipality’s main roads, from the town center to the finish line at the Marie Lande Mathieu Athletic Track in Levittown. The event was once again distinguished by including a relay race in the 42K marathon, with teams of two to eight members.

In the mixed relay category, Toa Baja Mayor Bernardo “Betito” Márquez García completed the course alongside Puerto Rican long-distance runner Beverly Ramos, finishing in seventh place with an official time of 3:38:53.

The mayor highlighted the success of the event in its second consecutive year and the municipality’s positioning as a mecca for long-distance running.

“This second Toa Baja Marathon exceeded our expectations,” Márquez García said. “We managed to attract more than 1,200 runners, including elite international athletes, and execute a solid logistical plan. I especially thank Beverly Ramos, as well as the volunteers, the organizing team, the security agencies, and all the citizens who made this 42K possible.”

The mayor noted that the race is certified by World Athletics and is a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. It is also one of the six races in the circuit established to earn the Llanera Medal, which was awarded to those who completed the race.