Race Ánimas Celebrates a Decade of Trail Running in Uruguay
Race Ánimas celebrated its tenth edition on the 16th of August, bringing together hundreds of runners across its 9K, 18K and 27K races.
Despite persistent and intense rain transforming some sections of the trail into mud, the event still produced standout performances in a celebration of how far trail running has grown in Uruguay. From its beginnings in an era when only a small number of athletes competed, Race Ánimas has developed into a fixture of a thriving community reflected in its turnout and atmosphere.
The 27K races produced standout performances from Lucía Carrizo, who won the women's title in 2:47:31, and Alexis Castro, who topped the men’s field in 2:04:14. Lorena Sosa (1:58:04) and Óscar Maldonado (1:34:06) won the 18K, while Karen Chagas (45:56) and Sebastián Ferres (34:32) claimed victory over 9K.
The 9K category accounted for more than a third of the field, with women representing the majority of its participants. Alongside the 18K and 27K, the range of distances offered runners different entry points into trail running, making the sport more accessible while creating opportunities for newer participants to build confidence and progress towards longer challenges.
As a One Hundred® Candidate Event, Race Ánimas is under assessment for potential inclusion in the One Hundred World Championship series. This edition highlighted the qualities that continue to drive the growth of trail running in Uruguay: strong community participation, accessible racing and a shared enthusiasm for the mountains and the sport.
