Valencia races follow majors in fight against doping

The organisers, running club SD Correcaminos and Valencia City Council have signed an agreement with the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), a body that is independent of the IAAF, to make extra-tough checks for the races, which will be held on the 27th of October and the 1st of December in Valencia – Ciudad del Running.

The agreement was promoted by Fundación Trinidad Alfonso, the main collaborator in both races, to join with SD Correcaminos to ensure fair play in the sport.

The organisers of both races will make a voluntary contribution of EUR 25,000 to the AIU to carry out spot anti-doping checks of the main guest runners with a view to detecting illegal and fraudulent practices and thus protect the integrity and reputation of the two Valencian races.

This agreement follows the strategy adopted by the World Marathon Majors in their fight against doping, given that the world’s best marathons have also signed similar agreements with the AIU.

The Athletics Integrity Unit has undertaken to carry out all measures bearing on checking athletes’ biological passports, and to conduct the various routine anti-doping tests. SD Correcaminos in turn will give the AIU its full support and supply technical data on the elite athletes, their travel plans, stop-overs, etc. to order to facilitate testing and boost its efficacy.

Beyond the terms of the agreement and on its own initiative, the organisers of the 2019 Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso EDP and Half Marathon have also decided not to invite professional athletes who have been found guilty of doping. The idea is to send a clear message: Valencia only wants athletes who set records based upon exemplary conduct and fair play.

Under the agreement signed with the AIU, the trials will boost the fight against doping and ensure equality of opportunities for all those taking part to set records that reflect the highest sporting standards.

“I want to thank the organisers of the Valencia marathon for making this commitment to clean sport. The MoU once again showcases that the key stakeholders in road running are being proactive in addressing integrity challenges in this segment of the sport of athletics,” commented Brett Clothier, Head of the AIU. “The 2019 editions of these races will be amongst the most well controlled sporting events in the world from an anti-doping perspective. And the exciting thing is that in 2020 many other road race events under the IAAF Label Road Races program will be able to join them in making this claim,” he added.

President of SD Correcaminos Paco Borao added: “I am very happy to embark on this relationship with the AIU. This is important for the credibility of our races and our sport. As President of AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) I’d also like to encourage our members to also commit themselves to this funding mechanism and participate fully in the fight against doping in road running.”