SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Cristhian Pacheco of Peru successfully defended his Pan American Games marathon title on Sunday in Santiago, Chile. Hosts Chile, once again, were denied their first gold medal in the event as Hugo Catrileo settled for the silver medal. Pacheco, who previously won the marathon in 2019 in Lima, displayed an impressive performance, completing the 42-kilometer race unchallenged with a winning time of two hours, 11 minutes, and 14 seconds.
Despite the passionate support from the flag-waving crowd along the marathon route, Catrileo was unable to match Pacheco’s pace. He finished 53 seconds behind the champion, earning cheers and dedicating his medal “to all the people of the countryside”. Catrileo expressed his happiness and acknowledged the essential role of the public support in his achievement.
In the women’s marathon, Citlali Cristian from Mexico secured the gold medal with a time of 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 12 seconds. Argentina’s Florencia Borelli initially held the lead but was overtaken by Cristian in the final two kilometers, settling for the silver medal.
The Chilean fans’ hopes for a gold medal had already been tested in the first two days of the Pan American Games. On Saturday, Canada emerged victorious in the cross-country mountain bike events, leaving Martin and Catalina Kossmann with silver medals. Nonetheless, Chile managed to secure a bronze medal in the women’s cycling time trial through Aranza Sanchez, while the United States’ Kristen Faulkner claimed the gold.
Reported by Steve Keating in Santiago, the event showcased remarkable performances from Pacheco, Catrileo, Cristian, and Borelli. These athletes demonstrated their determination and talent, making it a memorable exhibition for the spectators. The Pan American Games, a two-week-long multi-sport competition, continued to captivate audiences with various exciting events.
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