Alisa Vainio Sets New Finnish Record at Seville Marathon
Alisa Vainio made headlines this past Sunday at the Seville Marathon, where she shattered her previous Finnish record with an impressive finish of 2:20:39. This new time reflects a remarkable nine-second improvement over the record she established just a few months ago in December.
Not only did Vainio claim the title of champion in the women’s marathon, but she also walked away with a significant prize of €15,000 for her efforts.
Meanwhile, Nathalie Blomqvist also made waves on the same day, setting a new Finnish record of her own at the David Hemery Valentine competitions in Boston. Blomqvist clocked in at 15:31.58, setting a national standard for the shorter distance. Her performance earned her an eighth-place finish in a highly competitive field.
Blomqvist’s achievement is particularly noteworthy as it breaks a Finnish record that had stood for 27 years, previously held by Minna Lehtonen at 16:16.13.
Reflecting on her performance, Blomqvist expressed a mix of emotions. “I would have hoped for a slightly better time, but you have to be happy that you’re back on the race tracks, healthy, and at least at a solid baseline. Now we just need to get the games underway,” she noted in a press release from the Finnish Sports Association.
Both athletes have set a vibrant tone for the upcoming competitions, adding fresh excitement to Finland’s running scene.