Spain's González takes bronze in European marathon walk; Italy's Fiorini wins gold with record

Raquel González of Spain secured the bronze medal in the European Athletics Championships marathon walk in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on Saturday. She completed the challenging course with a time of 3 hours, 14 minutes, and 55 seconds.

The race, which started and finished in Victoria Square, featured a demanding five-kilometer urban circuit with numerous turns and inclines. González, a 36-year-old athlete trained by Alejandro Aragoneses, demonstrated consistent competitive form, marking her 24th international appearance for Spain. This podium finish mirrors her success from four years prior in Munich, where she earned a silver medal in the 35-kilometer event.

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She returned to demonstrate the excellent competitive level she possesses in major events with a very solid race in which she once again climbed to the podium, as she already did four years ago in Munich 2022 in the 35-kilometer distance to collect a silver.

From kilometer 24, González established herself in third place, maintaining her position through the final seventeen kilometers to secure the bronze. The gold medal was decisively won by Italy's Sofia Fiorini, who set a new world and U23 European record with a time of 3h15:11. Poland's Katarzyna Zdzieblo claimed the silver medal, finishing in 3h18:48.

González's bronze adds to Spain's strong performance in race walking at these championships. The team has already secured golds from Paul McGrath and María Pérez in the half marathon, and a silver from Miguel Ángel López in the marathon.

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The triumph, with great authority, was for the Italian Sofia Fiorini, who did 3h15:11, a world record and U23 European record.