The event, the last qualifier of that distance for the Havana Marathon, was organized by the diplomatic mission of the Republic of South Africa in Cuba and the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER).

Some 530 runners from 20 countries, including 147 women, completed the course of a massive competition aimed at promoting peace and paying tribute to the life and historical legacy of Mandela and Castro.

We are talking about two world leaders “who have left a mark that will remain forever. This is a worthy tribute of the Cuban sports movement to them and the 30th anniversary of the reestablishment of relations between South Africa and Cuba,” Francisco Gattorno, director of the National Commission of Marabana-Maracuba Races and Walks, told Prensa Latina.

“Intensive work has been done for months, especially the last three days, to guarantee conditions for the runners and everything went as expected,” he added.

The participants received a medal, a pullover and a certificate accrediting them as qualified for Marabana 2024 and were awarded at the finish line by South Africa’s ambassador to Cuba, Ivonne Nkwenkwezi Phosa.

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