The government-aligned program Mesa Redonda, initiated by Fidel Castro, awarded a special prize at the 2024 edition of Marabana, Havana's iconic marathon, held on Sunday, November 17. The first male and female runners to pass the 25th kilometer marker received special recognitions, according to reports from Cubadebate.
This specific segment of the route, located at Monserrate near the equestrian statue of National Hero José Martí, holds symbolic significance. It pays homage to Martí at various key points: Martí the thinker at the Revolution Square, Martí the orator at the Central Park, and Martí at the Anti-imperialist Platform.
The plaque presented by Mesa Redonda is designed to emphasize the program's trajectory, which has been aimed at indoctrinating the Cuban populace. It prominently features the program's embossed logo and an inscription celebrating its alleged impact on Cuban society.
According to Efe, a total of 2,367 athletes, both Cuban and international, participated in the 38th edition of the event, dedicated to the 505th anniversary of Cuba's capital and the Day of Physical Culture and Sports. The start and finish lines were set at the Ramón Fonst multipurpose hall, located across from Havana's Capitol, for the 5, 10, 21, and 42-kilometer races.
Highlighting the Winners
In the 10 km race, Dayli Cooper, the Pan American silver medalist in the 1,500 meters from Santiago de Chile 2023, clocked a time of 0:35:37 minutes, while Alejandro Manuel Rodríguez finished in 0:31:50 minutes, both representing Cuba.
For the 21 km half marathon, Francisco Ronnei Estévez defended his title with a time of 1:06:51 hours, and Anisleidis Ochoa claimed victory in the women's category with a time of 1:15:21 hours.
In the full 42 km marathon, Dairan Suárez and Milena Pérez finished with times of 2:37:28 and 3:03:37 hours, respectively.
The Role of Mesa Redonda in Cuban Media
Launched in 1999 during the so-called "Battle of Ideas" period endorsed by Fidel Castro, Mesa Redonda presents itself as a forum for analysis on national and international issues. However, it has faced criticism for its pro-government slant and its restricted focus, which aligns with the Cuban government's narrative.
Aired daily, the show is hosted by journalists who discuss political, economic, social, and cultural topics. Analysts often note that its content highlights the achievements of Cuba's socialist system while blaming the country's woes on the U.S. embargo. The program lacks diversity of opinion and excludes voices critical of the government.