As she continues her pursuit of making the Spanish Olympic team this summer, World Cup medallist Noelia Juan dropped a noteworthy performance at the Spanish 10km Road Running Championships. Juan clocked 34:56 to take home the silver medal in Crevillente.
Her time stands as an improvement on the 35:34 she recorded over the same distance in Valencia back in January. As such, it signals that Juan’s fitness is progressing as the triathlon season gets underway. Moreover, as per World Athletics, her recent performance in Crevillente stands as a new personal best.
Last season, Juan won a maiden World Cup medal in Tiszaujvaros. That day, she claimed the silver medal after being denied in an incredibly tight sprint finish by Tilda Månsson. Later in the year, Juan added a second World Cup silver medal in Tangier. Finishes of 4th at the Valencia World Cup and 5th at the Rome World Cup further indicated that she had fully come to terms with the World Cup level.
One of her best performances came in the midst of her run of World Cup success as she finished 9th at the WTCS Final in Pontevedra. As well as being a personal best finish in the Series (and her first top-10), Juan’s result was the best of any Spanish athlete in the Final.
She also claimed the Spanish title in September. In doing so, she defended her national crown from 2022.
All things considered, then, Juan has been rapidly moving towards Olympic qualification. Her form from 2023 and recent running results combine to create a very promising picture for the emerging talent.
Miriam Casillas Garcia has already booked her place on the Spanish women’s team, leaving only one Olympic spot left. As things stand, it would be hard to bet against Noelia Juan taking the second berth.
