These marathoners HAVE to run in sandals

These Indigenous Mexican marathoners are advocating against an old rule that mandates they run in sandals.

The Ciudad Juárez marathon requires all Indigenous runners to run according to their traditional customs. This means they must run in huaraches, traditional sandals made of leather with rubber soles. The women must run in huaraches and colorful dresses.

Champion ultramarathoner Veronica Palma belongs to the Tarahumara tribe. She said that growing up, running in sandals was her main form of transportation.

After moving to Ciudad Juárez and participating in many marathons, she realized the huaraches hurt her feet and switched to running shoes.

But at the Ciudad Juárez marathon, the use of running shoes for Indigenous runners is still prohibited. Organizers justify the rules by saying the Tarahumaras are used to it. In reality, many of these runners favor sneakers.

Palma ran in sandals last year and won first place in the Indigenous category and 14th overall, but she also hurt her feet and had to finish the race barefoot. She says she’ll keep running in solidarity with her people, but she hopes the organizers will change the rules soon.

🌐 The World’s Tibisay Zea reports from Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
📸 Videos and photos by Tibisay Zea for The World

#Tarahumara #CiudadJuárezMarathon #IndigenousRights #Ultramarathon

Видео These marathoners HAVE to run in sandals канала The World