Vegan runner wins Dino trail ultra

Alberto Serrano has won the 57 km Rioja Trail race in the Spanish mountains.

14 May 2023

The race follows dinosaur tracks in a challenging route which includes 2750 metres of height gain and a range of surfaces.

The race went very well and I was able to distance myself from my pursuers in the last 10km” Alberto told our site.  “I was very motivated because I wanted to dedicate the victory to my mother who has just overcome a very serious illness.”

Alberto crossed the line with his mother, who has been vegan for the same duration as Alberto – around 12 years.  Both his parents have been keen supporters of his racing, getting to as many events as possible.

“My mother has been the one who instilled in me love and respect for animals since she has been feeding and caring for several colonies of cats in our neighborhood for more than 40 years.”

“As soon as I made the step to veganism and she did it within a few days.”

He once told Great Vegan Athletes:

“My principal motivation is to raise awareness about respecting animals by not consuming or exploiting them, through the sports I do.  Especially when up on the podium. I never forget to wear my t-shirt with the ‘I don’t eat animals / No Como Animales’ message on it, to erase false myths about vegans being weak or having protein deficiency.”

This was a satisfying victory for Alberto.

“We are very happy as this is my 16th victory in an Ultramarathon as a vegan and my 30th victory counting other distances.  With all of them, getting on the podium with my t-shirt that says: I don’t eat animals.”