The 101 Kilometers of La Legión race in Ronda, renowned for its demanding nature and spirit of camaraderie, has once again generated stories of effort and emotion. This year, one runner stood out by completing the course wearing the bib number of her son, who passed away at the age of 20 while rock climbing, having planned to participate in the Sierra Nevada ultra with bib number 101.
Her arrival at the finish line was one of the most emotional moments of the event. The race announcer, aware of her story, shared the significance of her gesture with the public, culminating in a hug that moved all those present. The runner expressed that, despite the pain of loss, it is essential to continue living so as not to miss the “gifts” that life offers.
“"Even if we lose someone, even if grief hurts, if we don't go out and live, we miss out on many gifts."
The colonel of the Tercio Alejandro Farnesio 4ª de La Legión, Fernando González, ceded the honor of presenting the commemorative medal to the runner's husband, who had also lost his son. This gesture added a layer of profound emotion to the moment, with the father kneeling to place the medal around his wife's neck, as a sign of respect and admiration.
“"My son passed away at 20 years old; his last bib number, which he couldn't wear, was 101 for the Sierra Nevada ultra, a bib number I wear today and bring to the finish line to close this circle."
The runner explained that her son left them a valuable lesson about the love for nature and the mountains, which has united the entire family around these activities. This “circle” closes after 12 years, following a process of overcoming a tragic loss. The Ronda race, with its 101 kilometers, represented a significant personal challenge, as the participant had not previously run distances greater than 20 kilometers.
This edition was also marked by other stories of overcoming and solidarity, such as that of a legionnaire who gave his boots to a runner who had lost his footwear, allowing him to complete the race. The difficult weather conditions, with rain and low temperatures during the night in the Serranía, made this one of the toughest editions, leading to numerous withdrawals.




