February 27, 2022 - Despite harsh weather, the 2022 Split Marathon was successfully held in the Old Town, with very good results for the Croatian runners and where the African competitors returned triumphantly, after not being able to participate last year due to travel restrictions.
This Sunday the 22nd edition of the Split Marathon was held, and the winners have already been announced. In the morning, at the Split Riva, a crowd of runners and supporters gathered to start the traditional marathon, which this year had to face harsh weather with low temperatures and strong winds, but which in no way lowered the spirits of those present.
The 2022 Split Marathon, unlike last year, was held at the end of February instead of September. Let us remember that in the previous edition the participants enjoyed sunny and pleasant weather, but those who attended today can attest that the event was held in the same spirit. The race started at 9 o'clock, and a great wave of runners, led by the main contenders, started from the Split Riva.
This year's edition marked the return of runners from the African continent, who unfortunately were unable to participate in the 2021 marathon due to travel restrictions in place at the time. However, their return to Split in 2022 was triumphant, taking top results in all marathon categories.
In the half marathon, Josea Kimeli Kisorio from Kenya was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 1:04:33. Croatian Silvije Tomac came in fifth place, with a time of 1:10:37.
''I'm happy, of course. This was my first race in Split and an immediate victory. I will definitely be back next year. Yes, it was cold, especially in some places where there was a strong wind. But, all in all, it was possible to endure'', said Kisorio.
Among the women, also in the half marathon, it was Cavaline Nahimana from Burundi who came out on top with a time of 1:13:42.
Clementine Mukandanga, winner of the 2022 Split Marathon Women's Competition. (Photo: Ivo Cagalj/PIXSELL)
Clementine Mukandanga, meanwhile, won the Split marathon and placed seventh overall. The Rwandan runner won with a time of 2:37:05. She was followed by the Czech Pastorova, who came in second, and third, fourth and fifth place went to three Croatians: Jasmina Ilijaš, Ingrid Nikolesić, and Kimberly Pašalić, respectively.
It was a great day for Rwanda, as Mukandanga was not the only one to celebrate, but also her compatriot Jean Baptiste Simukeka, who won the 2022 Split Marathon with a time of 2:21:22, first overall.
''I am very pleased with the victory. And the weather was good in the end considering the cold'', Simukeka said shortly, still breathing well.
Jean Baptiste Simukeka came in first place in the 2022 Split Marathon. (Photo: Ivo Cagalj/PIXSELL)
The Rwandan, crowned winner at the 2022 Split Marathon, came ahead of Morocco's Redouan Nouini. The Croatian Ivan Dračar, the winner of the previous edition, came third with a time of 2:27:28, certifying a day with very good results for the Croatian runners. His compatriot Kristijan Rubinić came fifth. The ninth was Goran Murić (2:42:13), and the tenth was Dalibor Vujević (2:43:40).
''The feeling is phenomenal. Winning third place in such strong competition is no small thing. The conditions did not go my way due to the wind. Until the 19th kilometer, I kept the connection with the two leaders, but in the end, I kept the pace and finished third, Dračar said.
Ivan Dračar, who won the 2021 Split Marathon, came in third this year. (Photo: Ivo Cagalj/PIXSELL)
''This was my third marathon and third podium. Last year I won in Zagreb and Split, and now a third place here. All in all, I am very pleased. The atmosphere, too, was great.'', he added.
The official results of the 2022 Split Marathon are as follows:
Half marathon (absolute)
1. Josea Kimeli Kisorio (Kenya) - 1:04:33
2. Szemerei Levente (Hungary) - 1:04:39
3. Gert-Jan Wassink (Netherlands) - 1:07:35
4. Đuro Borbelj (Serbia) - 1:09: 20
5. Silvije Tomac (Croatia) - 1:10:37
Women's Half Marathon (Absolute)
1. Cavaline Nahimana (Burundi) - 1:13:42
2. Anja Fink (Slovenia) - 1:17:15
3. Gresa Bakraci (Kosovo) - 1:17:24
4. Špela Gonza (Slovenia) - 1:18:39
5. Jasmina Pitamic Army (Slovenia) - 1:20:04
Marathon (absolute)
1. Jean Baptiste Simukeka (Rwanda) - 2:21:22
2. Redouan Nouini (Morocco) - 2:25:01
3. Ivan Dracar (Croatia) - 2:27:28
4. Fredrik Kallstrom (Sweden) - 2:34:28
5 Kristijan Rubinić (Croatia) - 2:34:57
Marathon (women - absolute)
1. Clementine Mukandanga (Rwanda) - 2:37:05
2. Petra Pastorova (Czech Republic) - 2:54:01
3. Jasmina Ilijaš (Croatia) - 2:58:50
4. Ingrid Nikolesić (Croatia) - 3:06:00
5. Kimberly Pašalić (Croatia) - 3:10:20
The 2022 Split Marathon was, overall, a huge success returning to its original date in February, and the harsh weather didn't get in the way. A great example that shows that the city of Split has plenty of reasons, as in the sports field, to be recognized as a destination to visit during the winter.
Source: Slobodna Dalmacija
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