Vibrant day at CENARD: Joaquín Arbe and Antonio Poblete, on the way to the great Osvaldo Suárez, and debut for women

In a new chapter of the ascending moment he is going through long distance athletics in Argentina – with the series of records and the recent performances of the National team at the Ibero-American Championship in Alicante – this Saturday, June 18, had a vibrant day on the CENARD track. And at the same time, those great cross-country skiers who built the great history of Argentine athletics were honored.

Joachim Arbe set new national records for the 20,000-meter run and hour, while the women’s race was held for the first time in South America and had Chiara Mainetti as the central protagonist.

This day has been called “La Hora challenge / 20 k – Tribute to Osvaldo Suárez and Walter Lemos” and had the organization and supervision of the Metropolitan Athletic Federation, with the support of the Ñandú Association and the sponsorship of Jacana, official clothing of the CADA.

Joachim ArbeArgentine marathon record holder from Valencia 2021 and Olympic representative over that distance in Sapporo last year, added a new award to his magnificent campaign and did it alongside another rising value like Mendoza Antonio Jesus Poblete, last runner-up of 21k all’Ibero. Both had the wonderful collaboration of Alan Esteban Niestroj who – although he would have performed as a “hare” up to kilometer 12 – felt in excellent condition and accompanied the two up to km. 17, setting the pace in many test passages.

The aim was to recall that unforgettable day of July 20, 1958 on the track of Villa Domínico when, in the same attempt, Osvaldo Suárez lowered national and South American records by four distances: 15,000 meters, 10 miles (16,094 meters), per hour and 20,000 meters. Suárez had lowered the votes set that time, a week earlier and on the same stage, by his great friend and rival Walter Lemos. And earlier, at a distance of 20,000 meters, two Argentines – Juan Carlos Zabala in 1936 and Raúl Ibarra in 1941 – had set world records.

On a sunny morning, with ideal weather (over 6 ° C, no wind and low humidity), even if the three set off at a cautious pace, just like the women, they gradually picked up the pace and covered the 10km in 30m .43s. They took turns setting the pace, but with the decision to lower the records.

At kilometer 15 the first goal had been achieved: with Antonio Poblete leading, Arbe second and Niestroj at their side, the set for the three was 45m.58s.0, improving the first of Suárez’s records (46m.29s.4). The same thing happened moments later when they crossed the ten miles in the same order with a split of 49m.16s.0 (Suárez’s record was 49m.53s.4).

The pace has intensified, with Niestroj “pulling” yet another kilometer to complete his task. “I felt really very good and I am very grateful to them for calling me for this great day, I am happy to have supported this effort of the boys”said the innkeeper.

Expectation grew as partials, lap after lap of the 50 required for the day, indicated that the central records would drop. And it was just before race time when Rab launched the final change of pace and accelerated to the definition, leaving Poblete slightly behind.

When the sound was heard indicating that the race had been completed for an hour, Rab had covered 19,655 meters and Poblete, 19,644. Both of them thus surpassed Osvaldo Suárez’s record (19,344 meters).

One last effort remained, which had to complete the 20 kilometers. Joaquín Arbe crossed them in 1h.01m.06s5 and Poblete, in another twelve seconds (1h01m18s5), so they both beat that legendary record of the great Osvaldo – multiple Pan American, Ibero American and South American champion – which was 1h.02m. 02s.2 and was about to turn 64.

Two FAM athletes, Sebastián Irusta and Maximiliano Maffeo also participated in the test, who recorded 17,370 and 17,037 meters per hour respectively (Irusta completed the 20 km in 1h08m55s7).

In women, the missionary – and also a specialist in mountain events – Chiara Mainetti showed a strong pace right from the start and thus set South American records for all her partials: 53m.43 in 15,000 meters, 57m.34 in 10 miles , 16,795 meters per hour and 1h.11m.17s.6 for 20,000 meters. Together with her were two of the most experienced and admired runners in the country: Mariela Ortiz covered the 20 km in 1h15m48s6 (15.972 meters per hour) and the brand new national marathon champion Karina Fuentealba (1h.18m46s.5 in 20km, 15,400 meters per hour).

Karen Vizental, president of the FAM, awarded the athletes together with the head of the Bonarenese Federation, the Olympic marathoner María de los Angeles Peralta. “It is very important that the events are added, and even more so in this pleasant moment of athletics. And we are also very happy to have had the participation of our exceptional riders “they pointed out.

Arbe, just before embarking on his return to Esquel, was very satisfied with his performance and “particularly grateful to Antonio and Alan, for everything we have done as a team. Also very grateful to those who promoted this event and invited us ”. Arbe will now prepare for the World Championships in Eugene / Oregon next month – there he will compete in the marathon, together with Eulalio Muñoz – and then “I will do another cycle of altitude training in view of the South American Half Marathon Championship”. This will take place on Sunday 21 August, as part of the 21k in Buenos Aires organized by Ñandú and which will also include the National Championship. Arbe and Poblete will be two of the Argentine national cross-country skiers in that great event, a prelude to the Buenos Aires International Marathon (18 September).

“I really appreciate what we have achieved, it is difficult to run such a long distance on the track and set times at this level”added Arbe, who in the last kilometer suffered pain in his left foot due to a blister.

At the South American level, per hour, the records now achieved by Arbe and Poblete are only surpassed by the 20,129 meters of the Colombian Víctor Mora (15-8.73 in Essen). And also for the 20k, Arbe and Poblete are 2nd and 3rd all-time in South Americawhere Mora’s record was held since that day at 59m.40s.4.

Around the world, the hour / 20k track event also has a great tradition and the most important athletes in history such as Paavo Nurmi, Emil Zatopek, Gaston Roelants and Haile Gebrselassie were the authors of the records. Current world records were reached on 20 September 2020 in Brussels when Mo Farah covered 21,330 meters in one hour and Belgian Olympic medalist Bashir Abdi scored 56m20.02 for the 20k.

Along with the central event in tribute to Suárez / Lemos, a short-track tournament was also held in which the athletes of the new generation of Mar del Plata shone. Juana Zuberbuhler, last runner-up in Rosario’s Odesur u18, has now won the women’s 1,000 meters with 3m.06s.43 (Franco Gastón Peidón did it in men with 2m.37s.26). And in the 3.000 meters Micaela Levaggi, of the Argentine national team, won with 9m.41s.90.

The Ñandú Association is proud of the success of these athletes and the great day spent at CENARD. And now he continues his organization and registration to the 21k of Buenos Aires and to the International City Marathon. In addition, on November 27, Ñandú will host the 10 km of San Isidro / National Road Championship, for which registrations will open in the next few days.