The Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana ‘inaugurates’ its 60th edition in MARCA
Sixty years have already passed since that first race in 1964 in which 57 athletes started in Vallecasthanks to the idea of Antonio Sabugueiro, alma mater, creator and founder of the test. Jesús Hurtado inaugurated the podium of a dream event, which six decades later continues to bring together 42,000 runners through the streets of Madrid to say goodbye to the year.
The Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana, which inaugurates this special edition again in MARCA, is celebrating its birthday, but its essence is the same, that which mixes physical activity, challenges, improvement, camaraderie, fun… “My father started this race, but every year we get better, thanks to our organizer, Last Lap, and our sponsor main, Nationale-Nederlanden”, assures Patricia Sabugueiro, President of the San Silvestre Vallecana Sports Group.
This year the race has two luxury ambassadors, the Olympic athletes Yago Rojo and Águeda Marqués. Both will be at the starting line of the international race on the last day of the year, a race that is very special for the marathon runner. “I started living it as a fan. When I was six we would meet up at my grandmother’s house beforehand to watch the race and cheer on Chema Martínez, Jesús España…”, remembers Iago.
“Then I got the running bug. I started running the popular one and came in fifth. Then I started working on transfers, picking up the elite athletes who arrived at the airport. And, finally, When I was able to dedicate myself professionally to athletics, I closed the circle a little, until finishing fifth in the international competition,” said the marathoner, who believes that being an athlete is partly due to this test. “I am convinced that without San Silvestre Vallecana I would not be in athletics.”
I have experienced all aspects of this race, from being a fan of running the international race, to the popular one. I am convinced that without Vallecana I would not be in athletics
For her part, Águeda Marqués, Olympic finalist in the 1,500, was very “excited to run the Vallecana again. It’s ending the year the way I like the most, running. The atmosphere is unbeatable. “If I had to convince people to run, I would tell them my experience and I’m sure I’ll convince them.”
Águeda Marqués and Yago Rojo
For its part, Nationale-Nederlanden continues to sponsor a race in an alliance that is now in its 10th year. “We are extremely proud to be here for the 60th anniversary, which also coincides with our tenth birthday in the race,” says Josep Celaya, deputy general manager and head of the customer experience area of Nationale-Nederlanden. “This will always be a very special race because of the proximity to the people, because of the date, because of the connection it has, because of the values it transmits. Well, we have been accompanying this race for the last ten years and we want to continue doing so. “It’s clearly a very positive way to reflect what the company wants to be in terms of values.”
We are very proud to be here for the 60th anniversary, which also coincides with our tenth birthday in the race.
One more year, 42,000 runners will gather in the streets of Madrid next December 31. Among them will be some of the best athletes in the world, whose names will be known in the coming weeks.
