The Swiss athlete secures the win, after taking second place in 2021 and 2022, thanks to a consistent pace throughout the 222 kilometres
Canarian runners Nira Castro and Guacimara Suárez complete a historic podium
Swiss runner Anita Lehmann has claimed victory in the tenth edition of the 360° The Challenge Gran Canaria, a 222-kilometre ultra-distance, self-sufficiency race featuring more than 10,000 metres of positive elevation gain. Canarian athletes Nira Castro and Guacimara Suárez joined her on the podium as second and third, respectively.
Lehmann, who crossed the finish line just before midnight, secured her first triumph in the event after finishing second in the 2021 edition held in La Gomera and again in 2022. With this win, she ends the five-year winning streak of French runner Claire Bannwarth, who remains in the race in fifth position despite suffering muscular issues.
The champion solidified her lead after passing through Agaete, at kilometre 80, when she overtook Nira Castro, who had been leading the race up to that point.
Upon finishing, the Swiss athlete explained that she approached the race just as she had in the previous two editions, aware of the changing weather conditions that can affect such a long and elevation-heavy challenge. She highlighted the importance of navigation in this year’s event, as participants are tackling more natural and less clearly marked trails, adding an appealing challenge to the race.
Gran Canaria’s own Nira Castro, who led the race for the first 80 kilometres, crossed the finish line in second place with a time of 65 hours, 56 minutes and 52 seconds, just 45 minutes ahead of third-placed runner, fellow Gran Canaria athlete Guacimara Sánchez.
The results achieved by both athletes reinforce the impressive performance of Canarian runners, with José Bordón taking victory in the overall classification and eight islanders finishing among the top 15.
The 360º The Challenge Gran Canaria is organised by Arista Eventos, with the support of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria through Turismo de Gran Canaria and the Island Sports Institute; the Government of the Canary Islands through Promotur – Islas Canarias; the municipalities of San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Tejeda; and Fred. Olsen Express, with the collaboration of municipalities of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Guía de Gran Canaria, La Aldea de San Nicolás and Mogán, and Lorenzo González Automoción, Gofio La Piña, Inerza, Emicela, and Provital.