Dominican Republic's Abreu Wins Historic Half Marathon Gold, Sets Games Record

Álvaro Abreu has achieved a historic gold medal in the half marathon at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, clocking a record-breaking time of one hour, two minutes, and 48 seconds. This victory is particularly significant as it represents the first time the Dominican Republic has won a medal in this distance at the Games.

Karla Martín, an organizer with Santo Domingo Corre, described the medal as a "medallón," emphasizing its exceptional nature. The Dominican Republic's previous success in long-distance running at the Games is limited, with only one other medal secured in the 800 meters by Ferdy Agramonte in 2023. Abreu's achievement stands alone beyond the 800-meter mark, spanning distances like 1500m, 3000m, and 5000m.

This triumph challenges the traditional focus of the Dominican Athletics Federation, which historically prioritizes short-distance sprints (100m to 400m) over long-distance events. Abreu's success underscores the potential for Dominican athletes in endurance disciplines.

Abreu's winning time surpassed Albergo González of Guatemala, who took silver with 1:04:58, and Héctor Pagán of Puerto Rico, who earned bronze with 1:05:33. The previous Games record of 1:03:50 was set by Alberto González Mindez in San Salvador 2023.

Martín added that Abreu's win is an honor for the country, showcasing the Dominican Republic as a destination for sports tourism and proving that its athletes possess the capability to win internationally. Teammate Amauri Rodríguez, who finished seventh, echoed this sentiment, calling the gold medal a victory for the entire team and country.