Por Redaccion 
The mayor Barcala highlights that «these international events reinforce the destigmatization of tourism and export the image of the city.»
Alicante, February 16, 2025.- Thousands of people took to the streets of Alicante this Sunday on the ‘super sports Sunday’ where the 29th Meridiano International Half Marathon & 10k Aguas de Alicante organized by Club Atlético Montemar and the final stage of the 9th Setmana Ciclista-Volta Femenina de la Comunitat Valenciana coincided. Mayor Luis Barcala, who attended the start of the athletic event alongside the Sports Councilor, Toni Gallego, emphasized that «sports events like these two races reinforce the goal of destigmatizing the tourism sector. This is confirmed by the 80% hotel occupancy during this mid-February weekend and the significant impact it has on other economic sectors of the city such as hospitality and restaurants.»
The mayor also highlighted the promotional value that both sports events bring to Alicante: «It is crucial that about 8,000 people from 43 countries or different provinces of Spain come to Alicante, including athletes and family members, to participate or watch the Half Marathon. Also, the arrival of La Volta can export images of Alicante, with the resulting tourism impact.»
Youness Belyamna (Morocco) and Sioned Howells (Wales) were the winners in the men’s and women’s absolute categories of the International Half Marathon with times of 1h 08′ and 1h 20′, respectively. In the case of the 10 kilometers, Bartolomé J. Falkowski and Natalia Gasnk, both from Poland, were the first to cross the finish line at Dock 12 in the Port of Alicante. Their times were 31′ 57» and 38′ 55».
The 5,300 participants in the athletic event started after tenor Mario González performed the ‘Himno de Alicante’. The first kilometers of the route were similar for the Half Marathon and the 10k, until they reached the Explanada promenade. At the intersection of this point with Parque de Canalejas, the participants in the 10 kilometers turned left to return to the finish line at Dock 12; those in the 21.095 kilometers entered different streets in the city center to reach the finish line.
At the end of the race, participants were able to engrave their names and times on the commemorative medals at one of the stands at the Corredor Fair, located near the finish line. On the front of the medals, you can see the fountain of Plaza de los Luceros. The reproduction of this emblematic place in Alicante was chosen weeks ago through a vote by people using the race organization’s social media.
La Volta Femenina
Gallego later attended the awards ceremony for the 9th Setmana Ciclista-Volta Femenina de la Comunitat Valenciana. The councilor emphasized «the repeated commitment that the City Council makes to cycling, in this case, to women’s cycling. If in 2024 it hosted a stage start of this same event, this year it enhances Alicante’s name as the finish of La Volta. Promoting the city through cycling adds value. Additionally, it helps export Alicante’s name as a tourist destination at this time of year with a race that is part of the International Cycling Union (UCI) calendar.»
Over 300 Local Police and Civil Guard officers ensured security during this ‘super sports Sunday’ where traffic had to be cut off at various points and times along the coastline and urban area for the smooth running of both competitions. They were supported by over 200 volunteers. Additionally, over sixty Physiotherapy students from CEU San Pablo in Elche and the European University were stationed at the finish line to provide massages to athletes in need.