Peruvian Olympian Pacheco Wins Mexico City Marathon Wearing
Cristhian Pacheco won the Mexico City Marathon in 2:10:03 while wearing a basic Casio watch, a stark contrast to modern running tech.
Peruvian marathoner Cristhian Pacheco won the Mexico City Marathon on Sunday in a time of 2:10:03. He did so while wearing a simple Casio F-91W digital watch, a model that retails for around $22.
According to race photos reviewed by Runner's World, Pacheco wore the minimalist timepiece during his victory. The Casio F-91W offers basic timekeeping, an alarm, a backlight, and a stopwatch function. Its stopwatch has a maximum recording time of 59 minutes and 59.99 seconds, meaning Pacheco ran for over an hour beyond its limit to complete the marathon.
The Race and the Route
Pacheco, a 33-year-old three-time Olympian with a personal best of 2:07:38 according to World Athletics, beat runner-up Anbesa Lencho Tefaye by more than a minute. The Peruvian athlete told the Mexican newspaper La Jornada that he stayed with the lead pack through 25 kilometers before breaking away.
He described the final stages as particularly challenging. "It was a very complicated route, but we had already studied it," Pacheco said. "From kilometer 32 onwards, everything became more difficult due to the slopes and the altitude, which made my legs falter."
A Tech-Free Approach
The watch worn by Pacheco represents a starkly different approach to the data-driven running common today. The Casio model lacks GPS, heart-rate monitoring, or pace tracking capabilities. Its functionality is limited to the essentials: telling time and acting as a basic timer.
This stands in contrast to the detailed biometrics and performance metrics provided by modern smartwatches and fitness trackers. Pacheco's victory demonstrates that high-level marathon success does not necessarily depend on advanced technology.
The Winner's Prize
Following his win, Pacheco's prize package reportedly included $50,000. In an ironic twist, the prize also included a Garmin watch. Garmin is a leading manufacturer of advanced GPS sports watches.
The runner has already set his sights on a future major competition. "Next up are the Pan American Games in Lima 2027," Pacheco told La Jornada. "They're going to be held in my country, so it's almost an obligation for me to be there." It is not yet clear if his simple Casio watch will accompany him for that event.
