'I fought and fought until the end,' says Mexican Citlali Cristian after obtaining gold and record in marathon

The Mexican Citlali Cristian Moscote, 28 years old, He still cannot believe the feat he achieved on the streets of Santiago.

He won with a Pan American record this Sunday with 2 hours, 27 minutes and 12 seconds the women's marathon of the games and became the third Mexican to win the continental event.

Until before what was done by Citlali, heThe Pan-American brand belonged to the Peruvian Gladys Tejeda from Lima 2019; and this Sunday in the 42 kilometers with 195 meters the Mexican long-distance runner had a long-term test and a stellar duel with the Argentine Florencia Borelli until the last kilometer.

As an example of how hard it was to face Borelli, who crossed the finish line seventeen seconds after the Mexican, They merged into a hug as soon as the competition finished and they congratulated themselves by leaving everything and showing pride to the delight of the public that never stopped encouraging them in the Chilean capital.

Borelli, silver with 2h27:29, also had many reasons to smile as she became the first Argentine to get on the marathon podium in the history of the Pan-Americans.

A more than excited Citlali finally stopped running after the competition, and with joy and notable fatigue He stated that he gave more than he had until the last second.

“I fought and fought until the end, because it was the difference between gold and silver; I came determined to fight for everything,” said the Mexican, who demonstrated it by lowering the record held by the Peruvian Tejeda by more than three minutes. Crazy.

“I am happy for this victory for Mexico, this gold is for the country, for my coach (Cristóbal Herrera), because this year was difficult, we worked on it, with many competitions, with ups and downs, but we wanted to give away a medal that had not come to Mexico for more than 20 years and that is why I am very happy," He said without stopping smiling at any time.

And the first winner of the Pan American marathon came in the Indianapolis 1987 edition at the feet of the Mexican María del Carmen Cárdenas, 28 years old, who won with a time of 2h52:06.

The American Debbie Warner with 2h54:49 and the Cuban Maribel Durruty With 2h56:21, they completed that first podium.

Another Mexican, Olga Appell, also 28 years oldwon the next edition, in Havana 1991, with a time of 2h43:36.

Then the American of Mexican origin, María Trujilloat 35 years old, won in Mar del Plata 1995 where he completed the marathon with a time of 2h43:56.

Until the Chilean arrived Erika Olivera, 23 years old, and ended the streak of victories of Mexican origin with a clear victory that was a record for the 1999 Winnipeg Games with 2h37:41.

Now the Mexican Citlali Cristian Moscote is the author of a new Pan-American feat and His name will be remembered for at least four more years, if someone appears in 2027 who is capable of beating it.