Abraham Garrido's 100-Mile Race in Europe

On August 24, Pacific Union College Enrollment Counselor and Angwin to Angwish Coordinator Abraham Garrido participated in the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (TDS), a 100-mile race that crosses through the scenic views of the French Alps in Chamonix.

The race began at midnight in freezing rain, foreshadowing a long night and day in the mountains for the 1,290 starting participants. The course included about 31,000 feet of elevation gain, taking runners through what Garrido described as “incredible terrain” in France and Italy, with mountain refuges on standby to house and care for participants. One of the coolest things he shared was being able to run with people from so many different countries and backgrounds, and how running can bring so many people from all over the world together.

As he endured this life-altering experience, his wife, PUC Director of Recruitment, Isabella Malan-Garrido, along with his brother and sister, cheered him on at different aid stations, making it even more meaningful. “Honestly, one of the coolest parts of the whole experience was getting to share it with my family. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

More than anything, getting to be in the Alps, running through the night, and sharing the experience with so many people who have the same passion for the mountains was pretty incredible,” said Garrido. “It was truly an experience I will never forget.”

He shared that one of the biggest things he learned was the importance of embracing the experience and the present moment, especially since few people get the chance to do something of this caliber. To Garrido, finishing as the 10th American out of the 715 participants at the end of the race was not necessarily the most important part. He learned to trust his training, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and keep going, and he eventually found himself at the finish line.

“I also learned that I’m capable of enduring a lot more than I probably realized, especially when things get difficult. There were definitely moments where it was tough, but being able to push through those moments and realize that I could get it done was pretty special,” he said.

Garrido is no stranger to unique landscapes and terrains, always searching for his next trek to new heights and destinations. As the Angwin to Angwish Coordinator, he actively encourages others to find their own limits and to challenge themselves, however that may look for each individual– a one-mile race, 10K, half marathon, 26K, 50K, or eventually something bigger.

“One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that you don’t have to do it alone,” said Garrido. “Running and being out on the trails is so much more enjoyable when you have a community around you, which is one of the things I love about PUC and Angwin to Angwish. We have these incredible trails right here in our backyard, and they’re an opportunity for people of all different experience levels to get outside, challenge themselves, and experience what these mountains have to offer. I encourage anyone interested to come out, find a distance that challenges you, and give it a shot. You might surprise yourself with what you’re capable of, and hopefully we’ll see you out on the trails and at Angwin to Angwish!”

If you are interested in beginning your running journey or learning more about Angwin to Angwish, please visit https://www.angwintoangwish.com/ or contact Abraham Garrido at agarrido@puc.edu.