South American Race Walking Cup was held in the Peruvian capital Lima in second consecutive edition by contesting 92 athletes from eight countries, four of them bemedalled in one-day competition.
Peru has recorded their best-ever result at the event with three golds, two silver and three bronze medals. The hosting nation enjoyed their first-ever title in 20K elite men's win thanks to former Pan American Cup medallist Cesar Rodriguez, who clocked 1:23:01 - his fourth-best time in this distance. 24-year old Rodriguez denied Brazilian Caio Bonfim's quest on his fourth South American Cup title, who finished eight seconds later from Peruvian rival.
In newly-established 35K is back to the programme in Lima after 20 years as Peru won once again in longest distance. Back in 2002, Edwin Centeno became Peru's first winner in this cup by winning 35K in Chile. After 20-year gap, Henri Campos Cruz, 20K national record holder, won 35K event with 2:40:19, also counted as national best.
On the men side, Colombian juniors have secured both titles in U18 and U20 ahead of local walkers.
Ecuadorian star Glenda Morejon easily won the women's 20K race by beating 2014 champion Kimberly Garcia of Peru and extent her continental championship win streak to four. Last year's Pan American Cup winner Paola Perez added another gold to Ecuador's medal tally by taking the first-ever 35K title at the event. Perez's mark 2:48:27 was also ratified as inaugural South American 35K record. Ecuador swept women's 35K podium with three sub-2:50 walkers as well.
