The Camino de Santiago for a good cause

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" 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 Praza do Obradoiro. Mar Rodríguez, director of Tree Travel 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.

She began in ultra marathon events 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.

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.