1. Overview
Martín Fiz Martín, born on March 3, 1963, in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, is a prominent former long-distance runner from Spain. He is widely recognized for his significant achievements in marathon running during the 1990s, including a gold medal at the 1994 European Athletics Championships and another gold at the 1995 World Athletics Championships. Fiz also secured a silver medal at the 1997 World Athletics Championships and achieved top-six finishes in two Summer Olympics. After retiring from elite competition, Fiz continued to make an impact in masters athletics, notably becoming the only athlete to win all six World Marathon Majors in the Master 50 category. His career, marked by consistent high-level performance and a lasting influence, particularly in Spanish and international marathon circles, solidified his place as a celebrated figure in the sport.
2. Personal History
2.1. Birth and Background
Martín Fiz was born on March 3, 1963, in Vitoria-Gasteiz, a city in the province of Álava, Spain. His early life in this region laid the foundation for his future athletic endeavors.
3. Athletic Career
Martín Fiz's athletic career spanned over a decade, marked by numerous victories and high-level performances in major international competitions and prestigious marathon races.
3.1. Early Career
Fiz began his professional career in long-distance running. In 1988, he won a gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the 1988 Ibero-American Championships in Athletics in Mexico City, with a time of 9:05.21. He also competed in the 5000m at the 1990 European Athletics Championships in Split, Yugoslavia, though he did not finish the race. In 1992, he earned a bronze medal in the 5000m at the 1992 Ibero-American Championships in Athletics in Seville, Spain, with a time of 13:57.99. He participated in his first Summer Olympics in 1992. He quickly rose to prominence in marathon running, winning the Helsinki City Marathon in 1993 with a time of 2:12:47. His breakthrough year was 1994 when he secured a gold medal at the 1994 European Athletics Championships held in Helsinki, finishing the marathon in 2:10:31. The same year, he placed 10th in the Boston Marathon with a time of 2:10:21. The following year, he continued his winning streak by capturing the title at the Rotterdam Marathon with a time of 2:08:56.
3.2. Major International Competitions
Martín Fiz consistently performed at the highest level in major international championships, earning multiple medals and high placements.
3.2.1. World Athletics Championships
Fiz achieved significant success at the World Athletics Championships. He won a gold medal in the marathon at the 1995 World Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a time of 2:11:31. Two years later, he secured a silver medal at the 1997 World Athletics Championships in Athens, Greece, finishing in 2:13:21, behind his countryman Abel Antón. He also competed in the 1999 World Athletics Championships in Seville, Spain, where he placed 8th with a time of 2:16:17.
3.2.2. European Athletics Championships
Fiz's success at the European Athletics Championships was notable. He won a gold medal in the marathon at the 1994 European Athletics Championships in Helsinki, Finland, with a time of 2:10:31. This victory marked his emergence as a top-tier marathon runner.
3.2.3. Summer Olympics
Martín Fiz represented Spain in three consecutive Summer Olympics. At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States, he achieved his best Olympic result, finishing fourth in the marathon with a time of 2:13:20. He also competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, where he placed sixth in the marathon with a time of 2:13:24. Despite his consistent top performances, he did not manage to secure an Olympic medal during his career.
3.3. Major Marathon Races
Beyond championships, Fiz excelled in various prestigious marathon events worldwide, demonstrating his versatility and endurance.
In 1995, he won the Rotterdam Marathon with a time of 2:08:56. The following year, he claimed victory at the Seoul International Marathon in South Korea, finishing in 2:08:25. He also competed in the New York City Marathon in 1996, placing 7th with 2:12:31, and again in 1999, finishing 9th with 2:12:03.
Fiz became particularly renowned for his performances at the Lake Biwa Marathon in Ōtsu, Japan. He participated in the race for five consecutive years starting in 1997. In his debut in 1997, he won with a then-course record of 2:08:05. He finished second in 1998 with a time of 2:09:33, behind Muneyuki Kojima, but then achieved consecutive victories in 1999 with 2:08:50 and in 2000 with 2:08:14. His dominant performances led him to be known as びわ湖を変えた男Biwako o Kaeta OtokoJapanese, meaning "The Man Who Changed Biwako." His final notable marathon appearance was at the Madrid Millennium Marathon in 2001, where he placed 7th with 2:17:11.
3.4. Post-retirement Activities
After concluding his elite competitive career, Martín Fiz continued his involvement in athletics, particularly in masters athletics for older age divisions. He has set new benchmarks in this category, demonstrating remarkable longevity and sustained performance.
On January 13, 2019, in Valencia, Fiz set a world record for the M55 category (men aged 55 and over) in the road 10K, completing the race in 31 minutes and 36 seconds. Furthermore, he is uniquely recognized as the only athlete globally to have won all six World Marathon Majors in the Master 50 category (for runners over 50 years old). This remarkable achievement includes victories in the New York City Marathon, Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and London Marathon, completing the prestigious circuit established in 2006.
4. Personal Best Records
Martín Fiz's personal best times across various running distances showcase his versatility and elite performance capabilities throughout his career.
| Event | Time | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 metres | 3:44.00 | 1 January 1988 | |
| 3000 metres | 07:50.17 | 30 July 1990 | Getxo |
| 3000 metres steeplechase | 08:28.90 | 18 June 1988 | Getxo |
| 5000 metres | 13:20.01 | 17 July 1991 | Rome |
| 10,000 metres | 27:49.61 | 1 July 1998 | Barakaldo |
| Half marathon | 1:01:08 | 29 September 1996 | Grevenmacher |
| Marathon | 2:08:05 | 2 March 1997 | Ōtsu |
5. Impact and Evaluation
Martín Fiz's career significantly impacted the sport of athletics, particularly in Spain and the international marathon scene. During the 1990s, he, along with countryman Abel Antón, was a leading figure in Spanish men's marathon running, contributing to the era often referred to as the "Invincible Armada" (Armada InvencibleSpanish) of Spanish marathoners.
His dedication to the sport was influenced by his admiration for Japanese marathon legends. He was inspired to take up marathon running by Toshihiko Seko and learned his disciplined approach to the sport from Hiromi Taniguchi. Fiz's influence extended to younger generations of athletes, including Atsushi Fujita, who regarded Fiz as a respected figure. His continued success in masters athletics, culminating in winning all six World Marathon Majors in the Master 50 category, further cemented his legacy as an enduring and inspiring figure in long-distance running.