The mayor of Jaén, during his speech at the award ceremony held at the Convento de Santo Domingo, thanked the Provincial Council of Jaén and its president for the recognition given to the International Noche de San Antón Race. The mayor extended the gratitude to the Municipal Sports Board, the responsible councilwoman and her team, as well as volunteers, runners, and elite athletes, who have contributed to making the event an "assembly of athletics sport stars".
Furthermore, the involvement of the citizens of Jaén, who transform the city into a large urban circuit each year, was highlighted. The mayor stressed that the race, along with its traditional bonfires, torches, and effigies, transcends a sporting competition to become a tourist and cultural event that projects the image of Jaén and the province, successfully combining "sport, tourism, gastronomy, and heritage".
The mayor emphasized the significance of receiving this recognition at the Convento de Santo Domingo, a historic site in the heart of the city's old town, defining it as "a clear witness to the history of this city, this province, and the legacy that we are all working to value".
Taking the opportunity, the mayor advocated for the joint work of administrations in recovering Jaén's heritage, mentioning projects such as the modernization of the Palacio de Villardompardo, the opening of the church of the Convento de Santo Domingo to the public, the student residence project in Plaza de Santiago, and the enhancement of the ruins of San Miguel.
This shared effort, he noted, is part of the city model of the Jaén City Council, complemented by economic, business, and urban modernization projects aimed at making Jaén "a friendlier and more welcoming city".
