Spain Prepares For The Battle Of The 100 Km At Home! Verdeliss And The Ultradistance Elite Go For World Gold In Ames

Spain Prepares for the Battle of the 100 km at Home! Verdeliss and the Ultradistance Elite Seek World Gold in Ames

The National Team Presents a Team of Champions with the Mission of Revalidating the Success in the World Championship that Returns to Spanish Soil.

The Spanish athletics calendar dresses up to receive one of the most anticipated events: the 100 kilometer World Championships. In 2026, the mythical distance of ultra-distance lands in Ames, A Coruña, on September 20, with the firm intention of crowning the new kings of endurance. Spain, with a team that combines the experience of its established figures and the impetus of new promises, presents itself as a serious candidate to fight for the medals, seeking to overcome the historic world runner-up achieved by the men's team in the 2024 edition.

The choice of Ames is not coincidental. This Galician municipality, located on the pilgrimage route to Santiago, becomes the world epicenter of ultra-distance running for the fourth time in the history of Spain. The editions of Santander (1988), Palamós (1992) and Los Alcázares (2016) have already left their mark, and now Ames has the honor of hosting this endurance test that will bring together the toughest athletes on the planet. The expectation is maximum, and the Galician route promises to witness unforgettable deeds.

In the women's category, the Spanish army deploys an arsenal of talent. In front, the undisputed Gemma Arenas, current champion of Spain and holder of the national distance record. Her recent performance in the Spanish Championship in Malaga, where she broke the previous national record in more than 27 minutes, places her as one of the undisputed favorites. At her side, María Romero, another of the standouts in the national team, and the experienced Carmen María Pérez, with an international background that makes her a key piece for the team.

But the big news, and without a doubt one of the most media figures, is the Navarrese ultra-distance runner Estefanía Unzu, known to everyone as Verdeliss. After her Spanish champion title in 2024 and her previous national record in Australia (7 hours, 47 minutes and 46 seconds), Verdeliss arrives in Ames with the ambition to shine in front of her audience. Although Gemma Arenas holds the current brand, Unzu's presence provides extra motivation and experience to the team, ready to give everything in this historic event.

The Spanish men's team has a pending debt: to revalidate the world silver achieved in Bangalore in 2024. The team has names of their own who already know what it is to fight for the podium. Antonio Jesús Aguilar, individual world runner-up two years ago, and Félix Pont, fifth ranked in that same edition, provide the necessary experience. They are joined by Carlos Gazapo, the current Spanish record holder in the 100 kilometers with an impressive time of 6:21:05.

The men's squad is completed with two young talents who arrive in great shape: Marco Álvarez and Jesús Rafael González. Both were proclaimed champion and runner-up of Spain respectively this year in Malaga, demonstrating an exceptional level. Their debut with the national shirt is the icing on the cake of an outstanding season and they promise to make war on the international scene.

With a mix of seasoned experience, national records that prove its potential and the energy of the new generations, Spain appears at the Ames World Cup with a clear objective: to be the protagonist. This home competition is a golden opportunity for Spanish ultra-distance to continue writing glorious chapters in its history, with the encouragement of its fans driving each of its athletes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the 100 kilometer World Championships held?
The event will take place on September 20, 2026 in Ames, A Coruña, Spain.

Who are the main figures of the Spanish women's team?
The women's team is led by Gemma Arenas, María Romero and Carmen María Pérez, in addition to the popular ultra-distance runner Verdeliss.

What recent achievements does the men's team have?
The men's team won the world runner-up in the 2024 edition and has the individual runner-up of that year, Antonio Jesús Aguilar.

Who holds the Spanish record for the 100 kilometers in the men's category?
The current Spanish record holder is Carlos Gazapo, with a time of 6:21:05.

Is this the first time that Spain hosts the 100 kilometer World Cup?
No, it will be the fourth time that Spain organizes this competition, after the 1988, 1992 and 2016 editions.

What does Verdeliss' participation in this championship mean?
Her participation brings great media visibility to the Spanish ultra-distance and adds experience to the women's team.

Who are the new additions to the men's team?
Marco Álvarez and Jesús Rafael González, this year's Spanish champion and runner-up, respectively, will make their debut with the national team.

What is Spain's objective in this championship?
Spain aspires to be one of the great protagonists and to fight for medals, taking advantage of the home field and the talent of its athletes.

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