Nerja 2025 Athletics Challenge Set to Break Records with 400 Elite Athletes
This Wednesday, June 4th, the Estadio Enrique López Cuenca in Nerja, Málaga, will host the sixth edition of the Desafío Nerja de Atletismo, a premier athletics event that has attracted 400 elite athletes from over 20 countries. According to a report by Viva Málaga, this year’s event promises to be the most ambitious yet, with a star-studded lineup of athletes, including 40 Olympians and over 110 international competitors.
The Desafío Nerja de Atletismo is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour with Challenger category, and will serve as a qualifying event for the World Championships in Japan. The event will take place between 18:00 and 23:00 hours, with live streaming available for spectators. As noted by Viva Málaga, the organisation has managed to attract a truly exceptional field of athletes, with 10,000 euros in prizes to be awarded.
The official presentation of the event was attended by representatives from the Diputación de Málaga, the Ayuntamiento de Nerja, and the Federación Andaluza de Atletismo (FAA), as well as the event organiser, Francisco Urbano. All parties emphasised the growth of the Desafío Nerja and the involvement of institutions in consolidating its position as a reference point in the national and international athletics calendar. As Viva Málaga reported, the event has become a benchmark for athletics in the region.
In the women’s category, Viva Málaga highlighted the presence of top athletes such as María Isabel Pérez in the 100 meters, Lorea Ibarzabal in the 800 meters, and Esther Guerrero and Marta Pérez in the 1,500 meters. Ona Bonet, who aims to break the Spanish record in the high jump, will also be competing.
The men’s competition promises to be just as exciting, with Viva Málaga citing the presence of world champion Mariano García in the 800 meters, as well as top Spanish sprinters Sergio López, Guillén Crespi, and Pablo Montalvo. A competitive 5,000 meters event will feature the Australian athlete with a personal best of 13:05, alongside Jesús Ramos, the national 10K champion.
The president of the FAA praised the Diputación de Málaga for its commitment to athletics at all levels, from provincial circuits to international events like the Desafío Nerja. The Viva Málaga report also highlighted the crucial role played by the Club Atletismo Nerja in promoting athletics in the region.
With its exceptional field of athletes and strong organisational support, the Desafío Nerja 2025 is aiming to surpass its fourth-place finish in the national rankings last year, despite having one of the tightest budgets. As Viva Málaga noted, the event’s ambition is clear: to break into the top three in both organisational and sporting terms.
