Mario Mola to run third half marathon in Melilla

Mario Mola will run his third half marathon on Sunday 15 November at the XIV Melilla Ciudad del Deporte Half Marathon. The 36-year-old Mallorcan will compete in Melilla for the first time and has not set himself a firm target time for the 21.097 kilometres.

The triathlete was world champion in 2016, 2017 and 2018 in the World Triathlon Series. According to Miguel Ángel Fernández, sports councillor for the Autonomous City, he also has two duathlon world titles.

Mola already knows the city: in 2025 he attended the European Triathlon Championships and ran along the beach area during an activity with clubs. He was also one of the patrons of the II Melilla 2026 Water Games, held recently.

Mola’s times and preparation

His two previous half marathons were in 2024: he clocked 1:05:42 in Lisbon and 1:06:29 in Pollença, Mallorca. His best time over 10 kilometres on the road is 28:44, set in Laredo in 2022.

The Mallorcan trained specifically for the Portuguese race, where he had hoped to run around one hour and three minutes, but said the heat affected times. The Pollença event, by contrast, was more of a home race.

“I have little experience, so I’m going to keep learning and get the hang of the distance,” said Mario Mola. The triathlete trains five or six days a week and runs between 80 and 100 kilometres a week; he has largely given up swimming and occasionally uses the bike to add training hours without impact.

After becoming a father for the second time, he hopes to return to a good level on the road this season.

Honorary race numbers for Mola, Estévez and Cima

Mola will wear honorary race number 3 as a tribute from the city to his career, according to Fernández, who presented the event on Tuesday 10 November. The councillor said the Mallorcan would be accompanied by his training group.

Race number 1 will go to Reyes Estévez, the previous edition’s winner, and number 2 to Gema Cima, the women’s winner in 2025. According to the councillor, Estévez will attempt to improve his own European M50 record for the half marathon, as well as the world record for the category.

The 2025 race and Estévez’s preparation

Estévez won in Melilla in 2025 in 1:09:02, in a race affected by wind and rain. On that occasion he attempted to break Marcos Sanza’s Spanish M45 record of 1:05:21.

His personal best over the distance is 1:05:15, set at the Chiclana Half Marathon in May 2025. That time was not ratified as an M45 record because of the course.

The European 1,500-metre champion in Budapest 1998 and two-time world bronze medallist over the distance, in Athens 1997 and Seville 1999, explained how he adjusts his pace: “When I do 1,000-metre intervals, I run between 2:55 and 3:00, and when I do something longer, between 3:10 and 3:15, which is closer to the pace I’ll have to run in the race. I’m not worried about not training too fast because my muscles can no longer cope as they used to.”

Course and registration

The start will be on avenida Juan Carlos I and the finish in plaza de España. The route consists of two laps of 10.5 kilometres on a flat asphalt course. Both the half marathon and the 10-kilometre race are certified by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation.

The organisers have made changes to take the course past distinctive parts of the city and incorporate Art Nouveau features. The race’s slogan is 21K of Living History.

The programme also includes 10- and 5-kilometre races, as well as a Mini Half Marathon. According to the event information, half marathon entry costs 15 euros and remains open until Friday 13 November at 23:59, at melillaciudaddeldeporte.es or at www.rockthesport.com.

Race number collection will take place on Saturday 14 at the Hotel Melilla Puerto, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:30. Participants will receive a runner’s bag and a commemorative T-shirt.

Services and school campaign

The event will have three pacers from Melilla: Álvaro Martínez, Jesús Mosquera and Rachid Hamed.

Those who complete their respective distances will receive a commemorative medal featuring Melilla’s landmark buildings and Art Nouveau features. There will also be a free children’s playroom service.

The organisers will introduce the mascot Zapas, associated with the school campaign En Esta Casa Corremos Todos, aimed at pupils in years 5 and 6 of primary school in Melilla to encourage physical activity as an alternative to excessive screen use.

The race will also raise awareness of the new Asociación TDAH Melilla, for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.