“You start running out of strength and you hear the encouragement of the people, who applaud you, who shout at you, and it’s as if they gave you an injection; you lift your head and keep going forward.” These were the words of one of the thousands of runners who participated in the 39th International Reyes Marathon, while waiting to see the final awards ceremony.
Thousands of residents took to the streets to encourage the athletes, regardless of who they were, their laurels, their achievements, or categories. Because that is what the Reyes Marathon has; the moment the starting flag drops, everyone is equal, and when they cross the finish line, they arrive having become protagonists of one more page of the region's main athletic event.
"I dedicate this triumph to the encouragement of the people of Concordia"
“I want to thank the public very much. Andrés (Zamora) made me push myself to 110% of my body's limit. But all the fans, who were there with encouragement at every step, I did it for them. This triumph is not mine, it belongs to all the people of Concordia who came out to cheer for all the athletes; this race is for them,” expressed with great humility the five-time Reyes champion, Federico Bruno.
"From the first meter after the start until the Corsódromo, the encouragement of the people is indescribable, I don't know what to say," Bruno continued, pointing out in statements to local media. "I am always grateful for all the affection that the people of Concordia give me, and here, at the Corsódromo, the spirit of the people is indescribable," he said upon reaching the finish line: "They pass their energy to you and you run alone."
Provincial Capital of the Marathon
It is ten kilometers of great effort, on a circuit with many characteristics that make it a challenge for every runner. The elite seek glory; the rest, to touch the sky with their hands; everyone, the applause and recognition of the people.
This is how the International Reyes Marathon is experienced and will continue to be experienced, from the Provincial Capital of the Marathon, where the people have a lot to do with this designation because what happens along the route would not be the same without them outside. For that very reason, the next edition of the race will be -as anticipated by Mayor Enrique Cresto- a tribute to the founders, the runners, and Concordia.