At Cledara, we love taking on ambitious goals. When the opportunity arose to sponsor and run at Val d’Aran by UTMB®, our team was ready to hit the trails. Joining us on the mountain was experienced runner Marta Bonache, who stepped up to tackle the demanding 75K course.
Fresh off her recovery, Marta sat down with us for a candid conversation about the grit, technical ridges, and incredible volunteer warmheartedness that define ultra-running in the Pyrenees.
Setting Expectations: 14 Hours on the Mountain
Pablo: How was the experience overall? Running for 14 hours and then crossing the finish line with all those people waiting... How did that feel?
Marta: I aimed for 14 hours and ended up finishing in 14 and a half. Honestly, I’m really happy. Going over by just half an hour in such a long race is totally fine. Overall, it was a really cool experience, and I felt great. It was a distance I’d never run before.
Trail running is equal parts grit, strategy, and pure passion for the outdoors. Having previously completed both the PDA and CDH distances in Val d’Aran, Marta originally set her sights on the 110K. However, her jam-packed schedule demanded flexibility. She shifted her goal to the 75K, a race that packs an immense punch despite the shorter distance.
Marta: In terms of technical difficulty, it’s tougher than Chamonix, for example. Chamonix is mostly on wide, well-trodden trails, almost like a highway. In Val d'Aran, they take you along narrow single-track trails. In several sections, you have to traverse mountain ridges, which can be intimidating if you’ve never done it before.
She added that the brutal elevation profile transforms the race into something much bigger:
Marta: Even though it’s listed as 75K, it’s practically a 100K race because of how tough it is. In a standard 100K race, you might cover 6,000 meters of elevation gain. In this 75K, you climb almost the same amount, it’s just continuous climbing for hours on end.
The Highlight: Unmatched Volunteer Warmth & Safety
Among all aspects of the race, the outstanding organization and spirit of the local volunteers left the biggest impression on Marta:
Marta: In terms of organization and volunteers, I was blown away. On the technical sections, there were plenty of safety marshals watching out, which gives you a real sense of security.I even stayed at an Airbnb in Vielha, and the owner told me he was volunteering at kilometer 45 of my race. When I got to his station, he immediately took my water bottles and filled them up for me. It was so sweet and thoughtful.
Advice for Future Runners
When asked what advice she would share with anyone preparing for a mountain ultra, Marta emphasized that mindset and listening to your body beat strict metrics every time.
Marta: Friends often ask me how I prepare, and my answer is simple: you have to love being out there. I love spending hours alone in the mountains, which is why I stick with it. I don't have an extraordinary physique, but I train hard, and I love the sport. Nutrition is also critical. No matter how fit you are, a bad nutrition strategy will ruin your race. You have to experiment during training to learn what works for you.
Another big piece of advice is not to get obsessed with pace or comparative metrics. There’s a lot of unnecessary pressure nowadays. At the end of the day, I’m not a pro athlete; I have to go to work on Monday! The primary goal is to enjoy it, because if you aren't enjoying it, those long hours become miserable.
Pablo: I love your perspective. It’s not just about racing the clock, but about truly enjoying the experience and doing what you love.
Marta: That’s what makes trail running special. Road running can be overly competitive, but mountain running is so varied that it’s almost impossible to compare yourself to others. So many factors come into play. You just have to run your own race.
What's Next for Cledara on the Trails?
Marta’s experience is a testament to what happens when you combine determination, realistic planning, and a supportive community.
Whether you're tempted to sign up for your first 30K or dreaming of tackling the big mountains yourself, remember Marta's core takeaway: run your own race and enjoy every minute of the view.
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