El Asri targets Spanish U20 record at Cursa de Bombers 2026

Bakr El Asri Mohsine will attempt to break Spain’s U20 record for 10 kilometres at the Vueling Cursa de Bombers 2026, which takes place in Barcelona on Sunday 8 November, with 16,000 participants announced. The athlete puts the current record at 29 minutes and 30 seconds.

Clara las Heras will also start with a personal goal: to get close to her personal best and, if possible, beat it. The Barcelona runner is making her first appearance in the race at the start of the season.

The world U20 champion’s preparations

El Asri Mohsine, who is 19 and was born in Sant Hilari Sacalm, arrives in Barcelona after winning the 3,000 metres steeplechase at the World U20 Championships in Eugene this summer. In 2024, he also won the European U18 title.

The runner has explained that he is preparing for longer distances and has increased his training volume to around 30 kilometres a week, more than he was used to. He plans to start fast but save energy on the uphill section, before trying to make up time on the descent.

Clara las Heras and her personal best goal

The C.A. Carnicas Serrano athlete gives her personal best as 32:34, although she acknowledges that the stage of the season could affect her result. She considers the race fast and says runners will need to pace themselves on the uphill section along Paral·lel, between 1.5 kilometres and just over 3 kilometres.

Las Heras has finished fifth overall in Spain in the 5,000 metres and was a European U23 finalist in Espoo, Finland. Last year she won the national U23 10,000 metres title in Maón.

Firefighters in work gear at the start

Among the participants in the 10-kilometre race will be around 200 firefighters running in their work gear, which weighs around 20 kilos. The race is organised by PRENSA IBÉRICA, Relay Events and Sport Life Ibérica.