Cross de Ponte Romana 2026: De la Fuente and Finot win

David de la Fuente and Alice Finot won the 2026 Cross de Ponte Romana, held on 31 October in Lugo. De la Fuente won the senior men’s race in 14:10, while Finot took the women’s race in 16:17.

The races took place on grass around the Pazo de Feiras e Congresos. The two winners are training partners: De la Fuente responded to Finot’s request for help preparing for the European Championships in Birmingham, where the French athlete won silver in the 3,000-metre steeplechase. In Lugo, Finot completed the women’s five-kilometre race ahead of Andrea Romero and Demeku Paniagua.

Senior race results

Behind the winners, the remaining podium places were decided by narrow margins. In the men’s race, Víctor Ruiz finished six seconds behind De la Fuente, while Óscar Gaitán took bronze by one second from Adrián Ben.

• Men’s podium, second: Víctor Ruiz, six seconds behind.
• Men’s podium, third: Óscar Gaitán, 14:20.
• Women’s podium, second: Andrea Romero, 18 seconds behind.
• Women’s podium, third: Demeku Paniagua, five seconds behind Romero.

Adrián Ben was fourth in 14:21. In the women’s race, Debris Paniagua finished fourth in 16:45, followed by Lugo athletes Sandra González and Emma Méndez, fifth and sixth in 16:51 and 17:10 respectively.

Youth category podiums

The event also brought together athletes from younger age groups. In the under-16 category, Enrique García won the boys’ race in 12:39, while Lía Núñez won the girls’ race.

• Under-16 boys: Enrique García, David Andrade and Guillermo Ortigueira.
• Under-16 girls: Lía Núñez, Irene García and Mencía Álvarez.
• Under-14 girls: Claudia Álvarez, Aya Hibti and Lucía Alvite.
• Under-12 boys: Mateo Vilela, Fiz González and Dylan Alarcón.
• Under-12 girls: Claudia García, Claudia Fernández and Claudia Varela.
• Under-10 boys: Diego Fraga, Adrián Alarcón and Antón Vázquez.
• Under-10 girls: Carla Ferreiro, Lía Gómez and Julia Vázquez.

In the under-14 boys’ race, Ángel Rodríguez crossed the line first.

Juan Pena Holguín and Ana Abuín win the community race

The programme also included the Cross Popular Jesús Bernal, with Juan Pena Holguín winning the men’s race and Ana Abuín taking the women’s race.

• Men’s podium: Juan Pena Holguín, 14:34; Xabier Díaz, five seconds behind; and Marcos Pereira, 15:01.
• Women’s podium: Ana Abuín, 17:24; Nati García, 17:43; and Rebeca Soto, 18:21.