Lurdes
Palao

Nationality: Spanish

Birthday: 30 Aug 1991

Disciplines: Trail Running , Ski Mountaineering , Mountain

Hometown: Benasque

Back to overview

About

Lurdes Palao, a native of Bocairent in the Valencia Region, developed a passion for hiking in the Mariola mountains during her childhood. She started her professional athletic journey at the age of 22. In 2016, with just two years of professional training, she achieved first place in the women's category in her inaugural 105km race in the Pyrenees. This marked a transformative moment, solidifying her commitment to mountains and running as a way of life. Subsequently, Lurdes intensified her training regimen, delving into the realm of ultra-distance running.

Expressing her profound connection to the mountains, Lurdes states, "I fell in love with spending hours in the mountains, having moments where my mind is blank, overcoming difficult moments, and reaching places where you have never been before." Beyond competitive racing, she undertakes personal projects that integrate running with mountaineering, particularly in the Pyrenees.
What distinguishes her sport is the exhilaration of exploring various peaks, lakes, and breathtaking landscapes in a single day while running at high altitudes. Reflecting on this, she emphasizes, "It is always a unique feeling—a satisfaction and a desire to always be in contact with nature. The mountains have become part of my life. My lifestyle."

When queried about her ultimate aspiration, Lurdes reveals that she lives in a perpetual dream of pursuing her passion. While desiring to compete more in longer distances, such as 100-mile races, her ultimate dream involves participating in a multi-day race covering over 300km of pure mountain terrain.