Archena's Montoya Wins Cartagena Triathlon

Jesús Montoya won the men’s race at the Triatlón de Cartagena on Saturday, May 16, repeating his victory from the previous year and giving Archena Sipcam another win in one of the Region of Murcia’s main spring events. La Opinión de Murcia reported that Montoya, an under-23 athlete, crossed in 1:02:23 after the sprint-distance race in Cartagena. The event brought together more than 450 participants, according to La Opinión, while Cartagena Actualidad put total participation at more than 500 across absolute, promotion and youth categories. Both outlets said Natalia Hidalgo won the women’s race. ### How did Montoya win the Cartagena race? Jesús Montoya finished the men’s race in 1:02:23, according to La Opinión de Murcia, which said he won in Cartagena for the second straight year. Marcos Gómez was second in 1:02:56 and Daniel Pla was third in 1:03:01, the newspaper reported. (laopiniondemurcia.es) Cartagena Actualidad also reported Montoya’s victory and described the men’s race as being decided after a high pace from the cycling leg. That report said Montoya “revalidated” the title he won in the previous edition. (laopiniondemurcia.es) ### What course did the athletes face in Cartagena? The Cartagena race was held over sprint distance on Saturday, May 16. La Opinión de Murcia described the event as 750 meters of swimming, 20 kilometers of cycling and 5 kilometers of running. Cartagena Actualidad gave a slightly different description of the bike leg, saying the course included 750 meters of open-water swimming in the port basin, about 21 kilometers of cycling with drafting, and a 5-kilometer run beside the sea and the cruise terminal. (cartagenaactualidad.com) RockTheSport, the event registration page, listed the race in Cartagena for 9:00 a.m. on May 16 and showed the organizer as the Federación de Triatlón de la Región de Murcia. (laopiniondemurcia.es) ### Who else reached the podium? Natalia Hidalgo won the women’s race in 1:14:49, according to La Opinión de Murcia. The newspaper said María Lucía Castañón of Koryo Torre Pacheco was second in 1:16:56 and Marina Inglés of Triatlón Murcia was third in 1:18:11. (cartagenaactualidad.com) La Opinión also listed category winners beyond the overall podiums. Daniel Pla and Hidalgo topped the absolute category standings, while Montoya and Paula Garrote were listed as the under-23 winners. Fernando Rodríguez and María Castañón won the junior categories, the paper said. (laopiniondemurcia.es) ### How big was the event around the port? Cartagena Actualidad said more than 500 triathletes took part in the XIX Triatlón Puerto de Cartagena SERTRI, with races for absolute competitors, development categories and minors. The report said the event was organized by Club Triatlón Cartagena together with the Murcia regional federation, Cartagena’s sports department and the Cartagena Port Authority. (laopiniondemurcia.es) La Opinión de Murcia reported more than 450 participants and said the day included races for all ages around the Cartagena cruise terminal. The same report listed youth winners in juvenile, cadet, infant and alevín categories, underscoring the event’s role as a full-day program rather than only an elite race. (cartagenaactualidad.com) ### Where does this race sit on the Murcia calendar? The Federación de Triatlón de la Región de Murcia lists Triatlón Cartagena on May 16, 2026, in its regional calendar. The same calendar shows Triatlón Escolar on May 22, Triatlón Yecla on June 14 and Triatlón Blanca on July 18. RockTheSport said registration for the Cartagena race opened on April 21 and closed on May 12. (laopiniondemurcia.es) The listing showed entry fees of 30 euros for federated absolute athletes and 42 euros for non-federated athletes. May 22 is the next date on the Murcia federation calendar after Cartagena, with Triatlón Escolar scheduled before the circuit moves on to Yecla on June 14. (trimurcia.es) Montoya’s next appearance has not been specified in the sources reviewed. (web.rockthesport.com)