VÍCTOR ALONSO
“We want the Half Marathon to be exemplary for quality in the Valencia region”
Victor Alonso, promoter of the event along with Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort, explains the origins, present and future of a race that has consolidated its numbers and sensations in just two editions since it was launched.
How did the idea of creating such a unique race on foot come about?
This race was created with the idea of reviving the Oliva half marathon, which was held until 2019 with the start and finish line in the town, running through orange groves and inland roads. I was looking to recapture that spirit, but with the backing of the Town Council and Oliva Nova to create a more ambitious project. The solution was to set up a starting point in the town centre of Oliva and a finish line at Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort, uniting the two sections of the project within a single race.
From a sporting point of view, the proposal is very interesting: the town is about 10 metres above sea level and the finish line, at the Oliva Nova hotel, is at sea level. This allows for a downward slope within what is required by World Athletics to certify a route (up to 21 metres in a half marathon), so that we get a very fast, certified course that also shares the city and the beach area.
What were the first steps to get it up and running?
The first step was to get the approval of the Town Council and reach an agreement with Oliva Nova as the venue and a great ally for the event. From then on, we were certain that the event had to be officially approved, so both circuits, the half marathon and the 5K, were certified by judges from the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation.
That procedure took us practically a whole day measuring, adjusting and verifying every metre, but it was essential to be able to vie for official championships and attract the best runners. The outcome is now an unbeatable route in the town, which is very straight, very flat and has an optimal downward slope.
How do you start recruiting runners for a new race from scratch?
We started by using two channels: my own personal profile as a communicator in the world of running, and the existing profile of the Oliva Nova 10K, which gave us a very valuable community base. We presented the race in the media, in the press and within the athletics environment of the La Safor area, placing great emphasis on the route’s attractiveness and on the alliance between Oliva town and Oliva Nova.
The first year was almost a race against time: we launched the initiative in February, by March we had everything in place, and by May the first event was already underway, which is all very unusual in the sector. Even so, we managed to attract around 700 participants. In this second event, with more planning and even presenting it at the Fitur tourism fair, we reached 1,200 runners, which demonstrates the race’s rapid growth.
When were the distances and route decided, and why?
The half marathon distance was practically dictated by Oliva’s own history: we wanted to recover the half marathon that already existed and add to it with the Oliva Nova 10K that takes place in autumn. So, in spring the half marathon becomes the big event on the local calendar.
The 5K comes from my experience as an organizer: it’s the perfect distance to accompany a half marathon. A 10K still demands a certain level from almost everyone, but 5 kilometres is achievable for a much wider base of enthusiasts, even for those who don’t train specifically for it. Furthermore, we decided to locate the 5K in the Oliva Nova area, on the beach, to reduce disruptions in the town and create a completely flat route, with zero metres of change in elevation and barely one curve, already making it the fastest 5K in the Valencia region.
Can someone who has started off with the 5K progress to half marathons?
Definitely, yes. The 5K is a fantastic gateway to the world of running: with very little training, you can complete the distance and experience an organized race. From then on, with time, planning and a little more consistency, it’s entirely possible to take the leap to 21 kilometres.
However, we always emphasize that the half marathon requires a different commitment: more serious physical preparation, responsible progression and, if possible, advice from coaches or clubs. The idea is for the runner to enjoy themselves and not have a bad time; and to feel that the Oliva-Oliva Nova Half Marathon is an exciting milestone in their sporting development.
What is your assessment of the first races?
The overall outcome couldn’t be more positive. We’ve gone from 700 to 1,200 participants in just two years and we’re confident that we’ll reach around 2,000 runners very soon, but beyond the numbers, we’re looking to offer a different, quality experience, which will get Oliva town and Oliva Nova known via sport.
The 5K race has resulted in two Spanish under-18 records being achieved in two consecutive events, in addition to a Venezuelan record and a Catalan record. In the half marathon, victory times have been around 1h 04, which are elite levels only seen in races like Valencia and very few others in the region. That is putting Oliva Nova on the map as an exemplary race route.
What is the future outlook for the race?
Our goal is for this race to be a stable point of reference for both amateur and elite runners. A very important part of the budget is allocated to bringing in major national and international figures, because we want the race’s hallmark to be quality, and not just the quantity of participants.
This implies a different model of funding, where the support from Oliva Nova, its marketing department and the Town Council itself are essential to keeping up the level. We aspire to establish ourselves as a permanent venue for the 5K and half marathon in the Valencia Regional Championship in the medium term, in order to once again compete for the Spanish Championship, with our sights set on 2028.
“The 5K comes from my experience as an organizer: it’s the perfect distance to accompany a half marathon.”
