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The athletics competitions of the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games, which have been underway since July 24 and will continue until Saturday, August 8, opened today, Sunday, August 2, 2026.
The two walking events, over the half-marathon distance, started at 8:00 a.m. on the urban circuit of Malecón Avenue.
Half Marathon Race Walk Men
Ricardo Ortiz delivered a commanding performance to claim gold in the Men’s Half Marathon Race Walk Final, crossing the line in 1:29:41 to give Mexico a memorable victory on the streets of the Malecón Avenue circuit. The 31-year-old, who entered the race with a season’s best of 1:24:59, controlled the race from the front for the majority of the 21.1-kilometre course, leading at virtually every split checkpoint from the 4km mark onwards.
Colombia’s Eider Arevalo (33) took the silver medal in 1:31:28, finishing 1 minute and 47 seconds behind the winner. Arevalo walked a more conservative opening half, sitting outside the top three through the early kilometres, but steadily worked his way into contention and locked down second place from the 15km checkpoint to the finish. His compatriot Cesar Herrera (27), who had shown promise in the opening stages, was unfortunately forced to abandon the race and was recorded as DNF, ending Colombia’s hopes of a double podium.
The bronze medal went to Mexico’s Roberto Vazquez (28), who completed a remarkable one-two-three for the host nation’s 
colours — though Vazquez competes for Mexico — finishing in 1:33:56, some 4 minutes and 15 seconds off the pace. Vazquez, whose season’s best stood at 1:25:24, received walk warnings during the race but managed to hold on for the podium, giving Mexico a historic gold-bronze double.
Guatemala’s José Barrondo (29) finished fourth in 1:37:17, producing a strong final segment to close the gap on the leaders in the closing kilometres. His young compatriot Jhoshua Monterroso (20), competing in what appeared to be a major championship debut, came home sixth in 1:39:25 — a creditable result for the 20-year-old, who also received walk warnings during the race.
Venezuela’s Jeferson Chacon (29) rounded out the top five in 1:37:42, posting the fastest final split of the entire field over the last kilometre, clocking 4:51.75 for that closing segment — a remarkable finish that, however, came too late to threaten the medals.
The Dominican Republic’s two representatives, Adrián Encarnación (32) and Braylin Santana (34), finished seventh and eighth respectively in 1:47:31 and 1:55:44. Santana, who received walk warnings throughout, struggled significantly in the second half of the race, falling well off the pace from the 8km mark.
For reference, the current World Record in the Men’s Half Marathon Race Walk stands at 1:20:34, set by Japan’s Toshikazu Yamanishi in Kobe in February 2026 — a mark that remained well out of reach on this occasion.
Half Marathon Race Walk Women
Mexico dominated the Women’s Half Marathon Race Walk Final on the opening day of competition, with Alegna González (27) claiming the gold medal in a commanding performance along the scenic Malecón Avenue circuit. Her compatriot Alejandra Ortega took silver, while Puerto Rico’s Rachelle De Orbeta secured the bronze, completing a memorable podium for the region.
The real battle unfolded behind Alegna Gonzalez. Alejandra Ortega (32), also of Mexico, walk a disciplined race through the first half, 
matching the lead pack stride for stride through 11km. However, from the 12km checkpoint onward she began to fall behind, accumulating a deficit that grew steadily. She finished in 1:39:26, some 3:21 behind González.
Rachelle De Orbeta (26) of Puerto Rico was equally competitive through the halfway point, sharing identical split times with the leaders up to 10km. She ultimately finished in 1:39:55, just 29 seconds behind Ortega, earning Puerto Rico a well-deserved bronze medal.
Colombia’s Laura Chalarca (26) finished fourth in 1:43:34, having been competitive in the early stages before gradually losing ground after the 10km mark. Costa Rica’s Sharon Herrera (22) came fifth in 1:49:05, while Guatemala’s Maritza Poncio (31) rounded out the finishers in sixth place with a time of 1:50:33.
Guatemala’s Yaquelin Teletor (21) was disqualified under rule TR54.7.5 — receiving her fourth red card for bent knee — after having been competitive through the first 9km. Venezuela’s Milanggela Rosales (39) did not finish the race (DNF), having dropped out early in the competition.
The result marks a golden start for Mexico in the athletics program, with González and Ortega delivering a memorable one-two finish on the streets of the Malecón Avenue circuit.
Photo Gallery by ODEBO – Organización Deportiva Bolivariana
