#177. Joaquin Lopez & Maria Vallejo: one couple, two UTMB dreams 🇬🇧

Course Epique

The epic journey of Joaquín López, 3rd at UTMB 2024, and María Vallejo taking on her first 100 miles

In this new episode of Course Épique, meet Joaquín López and María Vallejo, a trail running couple with an exceptional journey, recorded live from Chamonix during the UTMB Mont-Blanc.

This episode was produced in collaboration with KAILAS FUGA, a loyal partner of our guests. Many thanks to them for supporting Course Épique.

Joaquín López, an Ecuadorian based in Barcelona, made history by becoming the first Latin American to step onto the UTMB podium with his 3rd place in 2024. His extraordinary path began at the age of 13 in the Andes, when he discovered outdoor sports while watching his cousins head into the mountains.

María Vallejo, his partner and co-founder of the club Ecuadoruns, was about to take on her very first UTMB after years of trail running and cycling, with Joaquín by her side as part of her crew.

In this episode, they look back on:

• their life journeys beyond sport and how they met;
• Joaquín’s early days: from his surprise win in a 50km race in Quito to European podiums;
• their unique collaboration: partners in life, in their professional projects, and on the race course;
• their relationship with KAILAS and the importance of Latin American representation in trail running;
• the UTMB experience: Joaquín reflects on his historic 3rd place in 2024, while María prepares for her first 100 miles;
• the delicate art of crewing: how to shift from athlete to support team.

A moving double portrait that explores the love of trail running, the complicity of a couple united by their passion for the mountains, and the pride of representing Latin America on the world’s greatest races.

Enjoy the episode!

KAILAS has been pushing the limits of mountain sports for over 20 years and is making a name in the trail running world with its KAILAS FUGA series. Learn more at kailasfuga.com.

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Course Épique is the running and trail podcast that brings you extraordinary running stories in every episode.

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🎙️ Course Épique is a running and trail podcast created and hosted by Guillaume Lalu, produced by Sportcast Studios.

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