The event is part of the World Skate Marathon Tour, the international series dedicated to marathons, and here in Asunción brings together around 600 skaters across Amateur, Master and Pro categories.
The marathon course is built around a 14.4-kilometre loop, with the 42-kilometre race bringing together more than 500 Pro and Master skaters. The field includes 205 Pro Men, 172 Pro Women, 86 Master Men and 58 Master Women.
The Pro Men’s Marathon was fast and tactical from the very beginning. Several breakaway attempts were made throughout the race, but the peloton always managed to bring the escapees back.
Among the most active skaters were Nolan Beddiaf, Felix Rijhnen, Daniel Niero, Manuel Taibo and Miguel Bravo, all trying to break away from the main group at different moments of the race.
The pace remained high, with the race eventually finishing in just one hour. There were also several crashes along the way, involving skaters including Nolan Beddiaf.
In the end, everything came down to a sprint. Anandkumar Velkumar of India, racing for Swings World Team, arrived at the finish with the freshest legs and launched a powerful sprint to take the victory.
Felix Rijhnen of Germany, from Powerslide Racing, finished second, while Manuel Taibo of Spain, racing for Team Sheastokes World Team, took third.
The women’s race followed a different rhythm, with the peloton staying together for most of the marathon. The Colombian train controlled the pace for large parts of the race, setting the tempo and keeping the group together. At different moments, other skaters tried to challenge the rhythm.
Once again, the final kilometres led to a sprint finish. Johana Viveros, racing for Power Bearings, claimed another Marathon World title.
Behind her came an impressive Kollin Castro, the Colombian sprint specialist who managed to stay with the group and fight for the podium all the way to the finish.
Yicel Camila Giraldo Vasquez, also from Colombia and part of the Simmons Rana World Team, completed the podium in third place.
PRO MEN
1. Anandkumar Velkumar, India — Swings World Team
2. Felix Rijhnen, Germany — Powerslide Racing
3. Manuel Taibo, Spain — Team Sheastokes World Team
PRO WOMEN
1. Johana Viveros, Colombia — Power Bearings
2. Kollin Castro, Colombia
3. Yicel Camila Giraldo Vasquez, Colombia — Simmons Rana World Team
The celebrations also included the Future Stars awards, recognising the young talents who stood out throughout the World Skate Marathon Tour.
Future Star – Women: Aubane Plouhinec — Rollerblade Spspsk World Team
Future Star – Men: Luca Rudolph — Manao FR Skates World Team
The Green Jerseys were awarded to Anandkumar Velkumar of Swings World Team and Lianne Van Loon of Powerslide Vesmaco World Team.
From elite racers fighting for victory to Masters and Amateurs skating for the challenge and the experience, the marathon brought the skating community together on the roads of Asunción, adding another chapter to the World Skate Marathon Tour in Paraguay.
After the excitement of the track and road events, where ASU26 delivered incredible performances and several World Records, the action continued all the way to the marathon. From the speed and precision of the track to the tactics, endurance and battles on the road, every stage brought a new challenge and new memorable moments.
And now, with the marathon, the final chapter of the speed skating programme at WSG ASU26 comes to an end.
From the first races on the track to the final metres of the marathon, ASU26 has showcased the many faces of speed skating: records, victories, battles and unforgettable moments, bringing the competition to a strong and successful finish on the roads of Asunción.
A huge thank you to all the volunteers, judges, staff and, above all, the athletes who made all of this possible. Their dedication, passion and commitment turned these weeks of competition into a true spectacle of speed skating and made ASU26 an event to remember.
FIND ALL THE RESULTS HERE