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The marathon athlete Mariluz Viñas will run along the French Way for a good cause:  raise funds for St. Jude Foundation which Helps children with cancer in her country, the Dominican Republic. “The Way’s Challenge", is the name that receives this charity run presented yesterday May 12 in Room Eisenman of the City of Culture. The challenge will begin on September 27 until October 11, fifteen days in which vines will cover 52 kilometers per day of pilgrimage to the race from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Plaza do Obradoiro.

As she explained to Efe agency, she began in ultra marathon tests to take their races on a natural setting, letting away clock’s anguish in track’n field events. "I watch overwhelmed the chronometer “and preferred to engage in ultra long distance races with "challenges ranging from 100 kilometers to six days races". From ultra endurance she took part in ultramarathon races: the Sahara; races in Sardinia, Iceland, Senegal, Namibia and United States are places where her passion for long distance races took her. 

Despite his experience in this discipline, Mariluz Viñas admitted that this challenge was one of the toughest of his career. "I've never raced six days on a row but the challenge that these children are facing is much more difficult than mine, and that’s the biggest motivation I have”. 

Solidarity spirit of the race can be one of the main motivations to overcome a difficult, full of earrings and a highly variable climate environment.

Mar Rodríguez, director of Tree Travelm organizer of the race, explained how to collaborate with this initiative, "different blocks will be made for those who want to accompany the athlete during the time that withstand packages will be offered to participate in. challenge as exciting as this. " Each kilometer of the brokerage has a value of 1 euro, so that you can donate any amount you want. Furthermore, Tree Travel enable stakeholders, hikers, cyclists, pilgrims accompany Viñas at all stages, as well as staying in the same hotel.

Viñas explained the difficulties faced many children in his country. "Your best dress clothes when they have to go to chemotherapy."

The St. Jude Foundation supports Dominican children suffering from any type of cancer, leukemia is the most common but now they are overwhelmed by the amount of requests and lack of funds.

When asked if his 52-year-old would weigh him during the stages, Mariluz Viñas was clear: force of will increases with age and psychological preparation is essential.

Age is not a problem for her: "Over the years you have more willpower and that mental strength it’s what you need. The psychological preparation is very important this challenge is proving that sport is a tool... fantastic to improve the lives of many people, and in this case these children. They deserve it".

Photo via mundiario.com