Andorran Carabaña Sets National Record with 17th at European Cup 10,000m

Andorran athlete Nahuel Carabaña opened his outdoor season with a 17th-place finish at the European Cup 10,000 metres in La Spezia, Italy, on Saturday. His performance set a new Andorran national record for the distance.

Carabaña, who specialises in the 3,000 metres steeplechase, clocked 28:47.06 despite the event not being his primary focus. He started conservatively, dropping to 26th early on, but mounted a strong comeback in the second half, reaching as high as 14th between kilometres seven and eight before finishing 57 seconds behind the winner.

Italian Ilias Aouani took victory in 27:50.05, ahead of France's Simon Bedard and Valentin Gondouin.

The race marked Carabaña's first competitive outing of the summer, serving as preparation for the European Championships in Birmingham from August 10 to 16, where he has already secured qualification in the steeplechase.

Andorran resident Jess Martin also competed in La Spezia, representing Great Britain rather than Andorra as she did at the recent Small States Games. She placed 16th in 33:09.61, her season-best time.