With the participation of 6,000 runners, the Mérida Banorte Marathon 2026 has solidified its position as the most important sporting event in southeastern Mexico, marking the start of the celebrations for the 484th anniversary of the founding of the Yucatecan capital, declared Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada.
“I am happy to see our city so vibrant, and that the residents of Mérida and those who visit us are starting the year in the best way possible, in an atmosphere of harmonious coexistence and healthy competition,” expressed the mayor, who gave the starting signal and awarded the winners at the end of the day.
At 5:00 a.m., the 42-kilometer wheelchair race began, followed shortly after by the marathon for open runners.
The half marathon (21 kilometers) and 10-kilometer races then took place, along with the recreational walk that the mayor participated in, accompanied by hundreds of families.
Throughout the race, representatives from municipal departments and citizens in general cheered on the participants, a testament to the warmth that characterizes the people of Mérida.
A historic moment occurred when Reinaldo Pacheco Rojas, a runner from Oaxaca, broke a 15-year drought for Mexicans in this competition by crossing the finish line first in the men’s 42-kilometer race with a time of 2:23:22.
Second place went to Stephen Ndege with a time of 2:21:35, and third to Eliud Kipkorir Kosgei with 2:23:39.
In the women’s overall race, Isabel Guadalupe Oropeza Vázquez took first place with a time of 2:46:09. In second place was Pauline Mutwua Tituh, with a time of 2:48:16, and in third place, Mary Akor, with a time of 2:49:33.
In the mixed wheelchair category, the podium was occupied by Rogelio Emmanuel Martínez Segura with a time of 2:24:10, Juan Adonay Poot Uitz with a time of 2:38:31, and Ángel Gabriel Sosa Hernández with a time of 3:44:48.
Regarding the top-performing Yucatecan athletes in the 42-kilometer race, the women’s top finishers were Eva Abigail Cabrera Martínez with a time of 2:56:46.0, Sofía Salome Isaac Borges with 3:19:51.7, and Janet Alicia Vallejo Sosa with 3:22:03.5. In the men’s race, the top finishers were Carmen Gilberto Ucan Noh with a time of 2:56:16.4, Julián Alejandro Lara Chávez with 2:59:46.8, and Froylan Ulises Martín Villanueva with 3:07:06.8.
In the 21-kilometer race, the best times for Yucatecan athletes were achieved by the women’s top finishers: Ana Alejandra Dzul Peniche with 1:35:06.5, Mariana Escamilla with 1:35:11.2, and Dulce Margarita Chan Tapia with 1:35:11.2. 35′ 29.2”, and in the men’s category, Jourdan Alexis Mendieta Puerto with 01 15” 23.0”, Genaro Benjamín Varguez Be with 01 1′ 41.5”, and Nicolás Eduardo Mijangos Pérez with 01 20′ 30.1”.
The complete results are available at:
https://dashport.run/resultados/evento_1053
Throughout its history, this Marathon has featured runners from more than 20 countries and has served as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
Cecilia Patrón thanked the sponsors who were present with their booths, and the more than 15 exhibitors, entrepreneurs, sporting goods stores, accessory vendors, tourism companies, and more, for joining in the Mérida anniversary celebrations; and the residents of Mérida who participated in this race.
She added that thanks were also extended to those who… These events contribute to supporting the local economy. This year, an economic impact of 45 million pesos is expected, benefiting businesses, tourism agencies, hotels, restaurants, and, in general, Mérida families.
The Marat’hón Mérida Banorte 2026 is the kickoff to a broad program of activities for Mérida Fest 2026, where sports and a sense of unity make our city the place we all want to continue living.
More information can be found at merida.gob.mx/meridafest
Accompanying the mayor were:
Luis Alberto González Ayala, Peninsular Territorial Director of Banorte
Jessica Sade Sade, Corporate Affairs Manager of Bepensa
Hyrván Martínez Zapata, President of the Marat’hón Mérida Citizen Committee
General Coordinators Lizbeth Beatriz Basto Avilés, of Good Governance, and Flora Helena Zapata Mendiolea, of Social Justice and Human Development for the City Council
The Director of Human Welfare, Jesús Pérez Ballote
Technical Secretary of Tourism, Armando Casares Espinosa
Deputy Director of Sports, Iván Herrera Rosiles
Coordinator for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, Gilda Cota Vera.
Also in attendance:
Trustee María Cristina Castillo Espinosa
Municipal Secretary, Edgar Ramírez Pech
Councilman Asís Cano Cetina
Source: milenio
