Alt CampAlt EmpordàAlt PenedèsAlt UrgellAlta RibagorçaAnoiaAranBagesBaix CampBaix EbreBaix EmpordàBaix LlobregatBaix PenedèsBarcelonèsBerguedàCerdanyaConca de BarberàGarrafGarriguesGarrotxaGironèsLluçanèsMaresmeMoianèsMontsiàNogueraOsonaPallars JussàPallars SobiràPla d'UrgellPla de l'EstanyPrioratRibera d'EbreRipollèsSegarraSegriàSelvaSolsonèsTarragonèsTerra AltaUrgellVallès OccidentalVallès OrientalAlt CampAlt EmpordàAlt PenedèsAlt UrgellAlta RibagorçaAnoiaAranBagesBaix CampBaix EbreBaix EmpordàBaix LlobregatBaix PenedèsBarcelonèsBerguedàCerdanyaConca de BarberàGarrafGarriguesGarrotxaGironèsLluçanèsMaresmeMoianèsMontsiàNogueraOsonaPallars JussàPallars SobiràPla d'UrgellPla de l'EstanyPrioratRibera d'EbreRipollèsSegarraSegriàSelvaSolsonèsTarragonèsTerra AltaUrgellVallès OccidentalVallès Oriental
CA|ES|EN

Diari de Catalunya

Meritxell Soler Achieves Personal Best in Berlin Half Marathon

The athlete from Sant Joan de Vilatorrada, representing Puma, finished fifteenth in the German capital, just eight seconds shy of the Catalan record.

Generic image of an athlete's legs running on a track.
IA

Generic image of an athlete's legs running on a track.

Meritxell Soler, an athlete from Sant Joan de Vilatorrada in the Bages region, set a new personal best in the Berlin Half Marathon, clocking 1.09.30, finishing fifteenth and close to the Catalan record.

The Puma runner recorded a time of 1.09.30 in the race held in the German capital, where she secured the fifteenth position. The victory went to Ethiopian Likina Amebaw, with a time of 1.05.21.
Soler was just eight seconds away from the Catalonia record, currently held by Marta Galimany from Vilafranca. Despite the satisfaction of a personal best, the athlete expressed that she had hoped for a better feeling during the race.
“

"I expected to run a bit more and feel better. Perhaps the wind influenced it, but I also thought I wouldn't suffer so much. It happened from the beginning and mentally it was a bit tough, having a hard time so quickly."

Meritxell Soler · Athlete
The athlete from Bages added that, despite the difficulties, she managed to maintain a good pace and that any personal best is a reason to celebrate. She acknowledged that she was aiming for the Catalonia record, considering it a motivation for future events.
The fast pace of the Berlin race also led to a new Spanish record, achieved by Carla Gallardo. The athlete from Palencia, also representing Puma, finished ninth with a time of 1.08.30, surpassing Kaoutar Boulaid's previous record from 2024 in Valencia by 17 seconds. Gallardo also holds the 10-kilometer road race record, with 31.11.

Related News