San Silvestre Lagunera Sells Out Again for Year-End Race
The 42nd San Silvestre Lagunera race in San Cristóbal de La Laguna drew a record 4,500 runners on December 31st, with Abdennasser Oukhelfen Ben Haddou and Tereza Hrochova taking the men's and women's titles.
On December 31st, the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna was alive with the 42nd San Silvestre Lagunera race. This event has become one of the most eagerly awaited sports highlights of the year. For the second time, it reached its full capacity, with 4,500 runners signing up.
From early afternoon, the historic city center filled with a lively, festive atmosphere. Runners and their families gathered near La Concepción square, ready to tackle the year's final 5,000 meters. This year's route was a little shorter than before, making it more accessible and encouraging more people to take part.
The day kicked off at 4:00 PM with children's races, giving the youngest runners a chance to enjoy the excitement in a safe, specially designed setting. Families and friends arrived early to cheer on the kids before joining in the festivities themselves.
The adult race started at 6:00 PM. Catalan runner Abdennasser Oukhelfen Ben Haddou (from the Bikilia team) was the clear favorite, having been the Spanish half-marathon runner-up just months earlier. He lived up to expectations, winning the race in 14 minutes and 19 seconds. Vicente Hernández from La Laguna, an Olympian at Rio de Janeiro 2016, came in second with a time of 14 minutes and 34 seconds, followed by Aday Salas in third at 14 minutes and 42 seconds. In the women's race, Tereza Hrochova took first place, finishing in 15 minutes and 38 seconds. Katherine Ruth Tisalema (16 minutes 32 seconds) and Johanna Ardel (16 minutes 43 seconds) completed the women's podium. The race was marked by both fierce competition and a strong sense of community.
Badel Albelo, president of the Autonomous Sports Organization, highlighted the event's growing impact. "The San Silvestre Lagunera continues to grow every year," he said. "It has become a sporting symbol for our city. Saying goodbye to the year with sports and healthy habits in our town is now a tradition. It's wonderful to see so many people fill our streets to cheer on the runners."
The city councilor also praised the OAD La Laguna team and the event organizers for putting on such a well-executed competition. He took the opportunity to wish everyone a successful year 2026.
With the San Silvestre Lagunera, La Laguna not only concludes its annual sports calendar but also reinforces its reputation as a leader in promoting sports events, healthy lifestyles, and positive values through athletics, all set against the unique backdrop of the city's historic heritage.