Athlete Pau Gisbert decided not to run in the Valencia marathon this weekend because he couldn't focus on training amid the devastation that hit Spain's third-largest city in recent flash floods.

Valencians are facing a tough decision regarding their participation in the upcoming marathon in the flood-hit city. With the recent devastation caused by

Valencians are divided on whether to run in the upcoming marathon in the flood-hit city::6, 2024:: Alfafar, Spain:: Paiporta, Spain:: Ignacio David Cardona, Alfafar resident"This week we’re still adapting to the situation while also preparing to run the marathon.

The Valencia marathon, set to go ahead just a month after flash floods devastated the city, has spurred controversy. While some believe it's too soon, others see tourism benefits crucial for economic recovery.

Some 100,000 people marched on Saturday to protest against the authorities' handling of Spain's floods in Valencia, whose eastern region bore the brunt of the tragedy's 230 deaths. Mocking the alert issued by Valencia 12 hours after Spain's weather agency raised the rain and flood alarm to the highest level,