Spanish elite runner sacrifices result to aid Kenyan runner

In a heartwarming display of sportsmanship at the 2023 Generali Málaga Marathon in Spain on Sunday, Ricardo Rosado of Madrid, poised to become the first Spanish finisher, sacrificed a top-five finish to assist his competitor, Evans Kimtai Kiprono of Kenya, in crossing the finish line.

As Rosado approached the final few metres, he refrained from overtaking Kiprono, who was struggling with physical exhaustion and trying to stay on his feet. Instead, Rosado assisted Kiprono, slowing his pace and grabbing his rival by the waist. Rosado accompanied Kiprono through the last steps, ensuring he completed the marathon ahead of him, in fifth place. Rosado finished sixth.

🙌 EL GESTO DE RICARDO ROSADO@Ri_Rosado (atleta del @BikilaTiendas) ha protagonizado una imagen espectacular en el @maratonmalaga. Venía sexto, podía haber sido quinto, pero ha preferido ayudar al keniano 🇰🇪 Evans Kimtai Kiprono que llegaba muy justo a meta.#CORREDOR pic.twitter.com/Lm9kul8MyK

— CORREDOR (@soycorredor_es) December 10, 2023

While Rosado was awarded €1,000 for being the top Spanish finisher in 2:14:23, he sacrificed an additional €500 for fifth place to aid Kiprono. In an interview with Málaga Hoy, Rosado had no hesitation, stating, “The marathon is an experience, and he has been better than me throughout the day, so I thought he deserved to be fifth at the finish line. You identify with your rival; I would do it again.”

Race officials commended Rosado’s gesture. Javier Aguirre de Cárcer, Generali’s director of communication, said, “The gesture by Rosado just metres from the finish line to help a Kenyan athlete demonstrates the solidarity and values that make this sport great and with which we feel identified.”

According to El Mundo, Kiprono was immediately escorted to the hospital after finishing the race in 2:14:22, due to dehydration.

Ricardo Rosado le ayuda a Evans Kimtai Kiprono con calambres a finalizar el Maratón de Málaga en quinta posición, antes que él, y la organización tuvo el detalle de concederle también a Rosado los 500 euros del quinto puesto más 1.000 euros por ser el primer atleta español. pic.twitter.com/SpXFiKULF0

— EL NEGOCIO DEL RUNNING (@Asb71atleta) December 11, 2023

Although Resado’s actions were applauded, they go against World Athletics technical rule 6.3.6: “An athlete is not allowed to receive physical support from another athlete (other than helping to recover to a standing position) that assists them in making forward progression in a race.” Officials of the Generali Málaga Marathon told Canadian Running that they decided not to disqualify both athletes but instead recognize Resado’s sportsmanship.

The race organizers also awarded Resado the €500 corresponding to fifth place, even though he finished sixth. This was in addition to the €1,000 that he won for being the top Spanish finisher.