Joaquin Lopez is a professional trail runner from Ecuador, living in Barcelona. After many years of strong performances, Joaquin had a huge international breakthrough, finishing 3rd at the 2024 UTMB. Building off that momentum, Joaquin started his 2025 season with a huge win and course record at the Mt. Fuji 100 in Japan, winning by a large margin. This is his first appearance on the podcast.

Topics discussed:

• Ecuadorian sporting culture
• The state of Latin American trail running
• Having a clear purpose and its benefit to performance
• Joaquin's background in adventure racing
• The 2024 UTMB and what led to that breakthrough
• Joaquin's method for goal setting and race selection
• The dominant Mt. Fuji 100 performance
• Joaquin's sponsor Kailas
• His work with the Pro Trail Runners Association
• A lot more!

*Note: In the podcast, Joaquin says his first ultra was in 2019 - he meant to say 2012, when he was 19 years old.

Subscribe to Joaquin's Substack

Sponsors:

• Use code freetrail10 for 10% off Speedland Footwear
• Grab a trail running pack from Osprey
• Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off your first order of NEVERSECOND nutrition at never2.com
• Go to ketone.com/freetrail30 for 30% off a subscription of Ketone IQ

Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts