World Records and Spanish Golds Mark Birmingham’s Race-Walk Programme

BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM – AUGUST 15, 2026: Athletes compete and celebrate during the half-marathon and marathon race walks at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. Spain’s María Pérez won the inaugural women’s half-marathon race walk in a world record of 1:30:06, while compatriot Paul McGrath claimed the men’s title in 1:23:23. Italy’s Sofia Fiorini set a world record of 3:15:11 in the women’s marathon race walk, where Greece’s Antigoni Ntrismpioti and Panagiota Tsinopoulou finished fourth and fifth respectively. Photos by Marilia Vasilakopoulou / MedPress.