Women's and men's course records broken at 2022 Barcelona Marathon

Two Ethiopians triumphed in style at the Zurich Barcelona Marathon 2022. Meseret Gebre Dekebo (02:23:11) and Yihuniligne Adane (02:05:53) won and broke the course records in the women's and men's races respectively.

On a warm spring day in the Catalan capital, 10,073 runners from 86 different countries gathered at the foot of Montjuïc on Sunday morning to take part in the 43rd edition of the event, according to organizers.

Despite the high temperatures and Mediterranean sunshine, Dekebo managed to knock 42 seconds off the women's record, while Adane bettered the previous best men's time by 10 seconds.

"I trusted myself, I was convinced that I could win here. This morning I was very focused and in good shape," Adane said after the race.

"Yesterday we were looking at the record and I was convinced that I could do it. I am very happy and I think it is an ideal course to break the record here in Barcelona."

Adane's compatriot Dekebo was similarly overjoyed: "I am very happy. I have been training a lot since I won last year in San Sebastián. I achieved a personal best and I feel really happy."

"Thanks to the good weather conditions in Barcelona, I have been able to achieve my goal. I have fallen in love with the circuit and I thank my coach for believing in me."

For those who couldn't quite stretch to a full marathon, a Breakfast Run, Kids' Race and 10k were also held over the weekend. 

Ethiopian dominance

It is the third year in a row that new course records have been set at the Barcelona marathon.

The lightning pace of the men's race was evidenced by the fact that the runner-up this year, Gebru Redahgne (02:05:58), also completed the 42.2km course faster than anyone previously, and Kebede Wami (02:06:03), who came third, equaled last year's course record. All three podium finishers are from Ethiopia.

In the women's race, Ayantu Kumela (02:25:00) came second, while third place went to Zenebu Fikadu (02:25:11), to complete another Ethiopian clean sweep.

Barcelona named Europe's best marathon

Barcelona was named the best European city to run a marathon in a recent study from British retailers Runners Need.

Over 60 cities in Europe were assessed in terms of air quality, weather conditions, number of landmarks, cost of running necessities, and marathon popularity, with Barcelona awarded the top spot, ahead of Madrid in second and Athens in third.

Barcelona scored particularly well in the landmarks category, its scenic route taking in attractions such as Montjuïc, the Sagrada Família and the Arc de Triomf. 

Next year's Zurich Barcelona Marathon will be held on March 19.