Aztec Mexicans beat the pros on extreme run
IN OL D i nd igenous L at i n A merica n cu lt ures, women toi l at fa r ming a nd t ack le fa mi ly dut ies. A nd atop a remote Mex ica n mountain, they a lso put on sandals and cr ush professiona l at h letes on long-distance runs.
Talk about extreme sports: the Raramuri people – part of the Aztec family – over five centuries ago fled up the mountains of Chihuahua state to stay safe from Spanish invaders. There they stayed.
Over the years they have become cliff-dwellers, who often sleep in caves. But they also are constantly moving their animals along – and as part of their nomadic lifestyle they have learned to master truly extreme long-distance runs and are renowned for their endurance.
This year’s Canyons Ultramarathon brought together more than 1,000 competitors from around the world – including Russia, Canada, the US, Ecuador and Spain – to take on the steep slopes of the Sinforosa range of the Tarahumara mountains.
With the wail of weringa! which means “onward” in their language, the runners were off. They battled it out in the men’s and women’s 63-kilometre and 100-kilometre contests from Friday to Sunday.
The results: all four races swept by Raramuri (which means “light of feet”) talent.
The course was not some manicured grass pitch – the trail, which follows mountain ridges, is clotted with mud, rocks and even takes runners over a traditional woven suspension bridge.
While some competitors were decked out in high-tech running kit to absorb sweat or avoid friction, local champions stuck mostly to their traditional gear.
It famously includes sandals hand carved out of old car tyres and their centuries-old handwoven shirts, petticoats and scarves, for women, and a slightly lighter outfit for their men.
“We rea lly don’t have to do a lot to t ra in. Because since we don’t have cars, we walk or run ever y where,” said Miguel La ra, 27, who won t he 100 k ilometre race in nine hours and 46 minutes.
His record is eight hours and 47 minutes.
The locals are attached to tradition, but clearly are not afraid of innovation.
At some point in the past, obviously, someone shifted from sandals made of natural materials for running, to recycled tyre-tread sandals with a light strap.
Perhaps Lara’s shoe sponsorship contract could go to Michelin.