Fez — Aferdi mastered wet streets and steady climbs to cross the finish on the Guggenheim esplanade in 42 minutes 41 seconds.
He beat Kenya’s Kelvine Kipto by 23 seconds, with Peter Kariuki third, 48 seconds back. The performance ranks among the event’s fastest winning times.
The conditions were testing. Persistent rain and slick tarmac forced the elite pack to judge their effort carefully over the classic point-to-point course from Santurtzi to central Bilbao.
Yet Aferdi controlled the pace, then stretched clear late to seal the victory with authority. The finish area, set against Frank Gehry’s titanium landmark, added drama to a hard-fought day.
Organizers estimate roughly 3,000 runners lined up for this year’s race, one of northern Spain’s most popular autumn fixtures.
The route follows the historic path of the sardineras from the port of Santurtzi toward Bilbao, scenery that underpins the event’s appeal across the region. The 15.4 km course began at the Mikel Trueba sports center and wound through riverside neighborhoods to the city center.
A test of endurance in Bilbao
Aferdi’s move came after a controlled opening where the lead group held a brisk but manageable tempo. As the kilometers ticked by, he answered each surge before committing on the final stretch. The clock confirmed the gap, and with it, a statement win for the Moroccan. Spain’s Javi Guerra placed fourth, narrowly missing the podium.
The women’s race featured its own clinic in pacing. Spain’s Irene Pelayo, 45, added another victory to a strong season, stopping the clock at 50:38 ahead of Lidia Campo and Burundi’s Odile Nintije. Pelayo’s result continues a streak that has included prominent half-marathon wins in recent weeks.
For Aferdi, the outcome is a timely boost as the road season transitions toward winter calendars and early spring targets.
The Santurce–Bilbao profile, with fast opening flats and a lively closing approach, often favors athletes with both speed and strength. His composure in the rain and acceleration near the end suggest a well-judged plan and deep fitness.
Beyond the elite results, the race remains a community highlight. Its blend of tradition, urban scenery, and spectator energy fills the river corridor with noise and color each year.
Sunday’s edition delivered that atmosphere despite the weather, underscoring why the event endures on regional and international schedules.
Aferdi’s win caps a memorable day for Moroccan athletics on Spanish roads. With the season’s final fixtures approaching, his Santurce–Bilbao title offers momentum and a clear signal to rivals: in tactical races over testing courses, he is a threat to win anywhere.
