From the early hours of the morning, the sporting spirit and Vallenato passion came together in a single melody. With the Vallenata Legend Park “Consuelo Araújo Noguera” as a starting point, 3,010 runners made history this Sunday in the fourth edition of the Valledupar Half Marathon, an event that reaffirmed its place as one of the most vibrant in the Colombian Caribbean.
Among applause, music and excitement, the participants started in the three categories: 21K, 10K and 5K. The dawn witnessed a human tide that ran between notes, history and landscapes, on a tour that showed the best of the world capital of vallenato.
The growth of the event was notable. While in 2024 the Half Marathon brought together 2,700 runners, this year the number exceeded 3,000 participants, reflecting the enthusiasm of athletes and fans who see in this competition much more than a race: an experience that combines culture, sport and Vallenato pride.
“Valledupar is consolidating itself as a sporting benchmark in the country. Every year more people come to live the experience of running in a city that combines culture, landscape and human warmth. This Half Marathon is already a symbol of identity and belonging,” highlighted Pablo Peralta, director of the Valledupar Half Marathon.
The 2025 edition exceeded all expectations, not only in number of registrants, but also in scope and diversity. Runners from four countries -Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela and Panama- and 24 departments of Colombia gathered in this competition, which brought together elite athletes, fans and running lovers of all ages.
Of the more than 3,000 runners, 1,677 came from different parts of the country, while the rest proudly represented the department of Cesar, coming from municipalities such as San Diego, Bosconia, Aguachica, Río de Oro, Codazzi and La Jagua.
The tour, full of history and tradition, was a true Vallenato postcard. The runners enjoyed the sunrise over the Sierra Nevada, the murmur of the Cesar River and the enthusiasm of the vallenatos who took to the streets to cheer with music, banners and applause.
The competition also had the participation of recognized national athletics figures such as Jeisón Suárez along with sports ambassadors from Sincelejo, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Medellín and Neiva, who contributed to raising the level and prestige of the event.
“The Valledupar Half Marathon is not only a race, it is an experience that combines sport, culture and local pride. Here, each step has rhythm and each finish line is crossed to the sound of the accordion,” added Peralta.
With this fourth version, the Valledupar Half Marathon not only strengthened its national and international projection, but reaffirmed that, in this land, sport is also experienced with soul, history and folklore.
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