The Keepers of Echoes: Alejandro López García's story
Every runner arrives in Bucovina carrying a story. And every journey leaves an echo. Alejandro López García came from Valladolid, Spain, with a military background, a passion for ultra-running, and a desire to discover how far he could push his limits. Across three demanding races, Bucovina gave him more than a physical challenge: nights swallowed by fog, climbs above the clouds, moments of solidarity between strangers, and the warmth of people who made him feel at home. Along the way, he discovered something about himself, too: a confidence to dream bigger and pursue ambitions that once seemed out of reach. Now, as he looks towards new horizons, Alejandro leaves his echo on these mountains: a reminder to trust yourself, embrace the difficult moments, and never forget to enjoy the journey.
The Keepers of Echoes. The stories we bring. The echoes we leave. The memories we carry forward.
1. YOUR ROOTS: What connects you to running?
To begin, tell us a little about yourself beyond running. Where do you come from, what has shaped you, and what are the achievements or moments that have become part of your roots and identity? My name is Alejandro López García. I’m 26 years old and I’m from Valladolid, Spain. For six years, I served as an infantry sergeant in the Army, and I’m currently studying medicine with the goal of becoming a military doctor. I come from a large family—we are eight siblings, and I am the fifth. This has helped me learn from a young age to fend for myself, be independent, and enjoy stepping outside my comfort zone. That’s also why I like to travel alone, discover new places, and have different experiences. I’ve always been athletic, but my time in the military brought me especially close to the world of mountaineering and running. Over time, what started as a hobby has become a fundamental part of my life. I’m passionate about trail running, especially long distances, but I also really enjoy ski mountaineering and cycling. I try to combine these disciplines in my training because I believe each one offers me something different and allows me to enjoy the mountains year-round.
2. When did running become part of your story? What keeps you moving when the road gets difficult?
The COVID pandemic marked a turning point in my career as a runner. After the lockdown, I discovered that running was a way to unwind, relax, and enjoy myself. Shortly thereafter, I discovered the world of mountain and trail running, and little by little I increased my training hours and began signing up for longer and longer races. During one of those races—specifically, the 100-km Val d’Aran race—I realized that simply finishing these events wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to truly prepare for them, be able to run them from start to finish, and, someday, be in a position to compete for the win. That’s when my mindset as a runner began to change. When things get tough, what drives me is pushing past my limits, but above all, remembering why I’m there. I run to find joy on the trails, discover new places, and enjoy nature. For me, the mountains have something special no matter the circumstances: night, sunrises and sunsets, cold, heat, snow, or rain. Every situation has its own charm if you know how to appreciate it. I also try to remind myself that the tough moments are temporary. In an ultra, there are times when everything feels like a struggle, but you know that feeling won’t last forever. Overcoming them not only allows you to keep moving forward in the race, but also leaves you with lessons and memories that ultimately become a part of you. And I think that mix of enjoyment, overcoming challenges, and personal growth is what makes me want to keep seeking out new challenges.
3. Looking back at your journey, how have your roots influenced the runner and the person you are today? Was there a moment, a place, or a person that changed the way you see running or yourself?
My past as an infantry sergeant in the Army has taught me that the key to success lies in perseverance, hard work, and the ability to keep going even when things get tough. It has also taught me that our limits are often not where we think they are and that we are capable of going much further than we imagine. In the military, I’ve learned to live with hardship, to face tough times, and to understand that, even when it seems like everything is going wrong, new challenges can still arise. But I’ve also learned that, even in those situations, there’s always room to keep fighting, hold your head high, smile, and move forward. I believe all these lessons translate directly to trail running, especially ultras, where not everything depends on physical conditioning. There are moments when your mindset plays a crucial role and when you have to trust the work you’ve done and find the strength to keep going. In the end, whether in the mountains or in life, I try to accept the challenges, adapt to whatever comes my way, and keep moving forward—without forgetting to enjoy the journey.
4. YOUR STORY: When you arrived at Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB, what story were you carrying with you?
When I arrived in Bucovina, I brought with me a desire to see the world and continue growing as a runner—but also as a person. I like running in new countries because it’s a different way to discover other cultures, meet people, enjoy unique landscapes, and have experiences I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. I usually travel alone because I like the freedom to improvise, go with the flow, and discover whatever adventures come my way. For me, races are much more than just a competition: they’re an opportunity to explore new places and have experiences that go far beyond running. I arrived in Bucovina with that mindset, eager to enjoy the experience and test myself in not one but three demanding races—without yet knowing everything that trip had in store for me.
5. Looking back at your race, what moment or experience stays with you the most? What did you leave behind on the trails of Bucovina and what did you carry home with you?
Since it’s such a long race, there are countless moments to remember—both good and bad. If I had to pick a few, I’d start with a night when the fog was so thick that we could barely see a meter ahead. I remember that four of us runners stuck together and worked as a team to get through those kilometers without getting lost. It was a very special experience, because in a race where everyone competes against each other, there are also moments when help among runners becomes essential. I also remember the narrow trails on the climb up to Pietrosu Peak. It was an incredibly tough climb, but when we broke through the clouds and took in the views before us, all the effort seemed to fade away for a moment. It’s one of those experiences that reminds you why it’s worth the struggle to reach certain places. However, perhaps the moment that left the deepest impression on me was the double climb up Mount Giumalau, which was probably the worst part of the entire race. I reached a point where I had to stop for a minute and talk to myself. I decided I could only have one thought in my head: “Enjoy the journey and keep giving it your all. Don’t worry about who might be coming up behind you. Enjoy yourself, and that way you’ll make sure you reach the finish line happy, no matter what happens.” Just a few kilometers later, everything changed. The joy returned, and I continued to suffer, but I was enjoying that suffering, knowing I was having a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And, of course, I can’t forget the descent after climbing the RUNK. It was an extremely muddy descent where I was happier than a child, slipping and sliding, getting covered in mud, and having a blast like I rarely do. Then came the moment to hit the asphalt, pull out my Spanish flag, drape it around my neck, and tackle the final kilometers with a smile, feeling the warmth and encouragement of the crowd. I’m taking unforgettable memories back from Bucovina: wonderful trails, incredible landscapes, and, above all, the warmth of the Romanian people, who cheered me on and made me feel special throughout my entire stay there. It was much more than a race; it was an experience that reminded me that, beyond the result, what matters is enjoying the moment and being able to find happiness even in the toughest moments.
6. What do you think you learned about yourself on the trails of Bucovina? What did the mountain tell you along the way and what did you carry with you from that experience?
On the trails of Bucovina, I’ve learned, above all, to believe in myself more. I’ve gained the confidence to tackle races and to understand that I can compete against top-level runners. Sometimes, our own limits exist more in our minds than in our actual abilities. Believing in yourself doesn’t guarantee success, but it does allow you to go out and pursue it without setting barriers for yourself before you even start. I’ve also learned to overcome my fear of being in the lead—something that often holds us back without us even realizing it. Sometimes it seems like fighting for a victory is something reserved for others, but experiences like this teach you that you, too, can be up there if you work hard, prepare yourself, and believe in your potential. The mountains have also taught me to live with uncertainty, to face difficult and unexpected situations, and to feel comfortable being alone in the middle of nowhere. In an ultra, you can never control everything that’s going to happen, so you have to learn to adapt and trust yourself. And, of course, I’ve also lost some of my fear of bears—though, thank God, I didn’t run into any. I don’t know if I could have said the same after coming face-to-face with one! I’m leaving Bucovina with much greater self-confidence and the feeling that I can aim for things that I might have previously seen as out of reach. Now I tackle new challenges with more ambition, but also with the same mindset as always: to enjoy the journey and give it my all, regardless of the result.
7. Every runner leaves something behind on the trails. What is the echo you would like to leave for the next runner who comes to Bucovina? What would you tell someone who has never experienced these trails, but is about to become part of their story?
I’d tell him to have confidence in himself and, above all, to enjoy the journey. To look up every now and then to admire the night sky, because in Bucovina it can be as harsh as it is beautiful, and not to be afraid to face the tough moments. They’ll come, just like in any ultra, but he’ll get through them too, and each one will help him grow as a runner and as a person. I’d also tell him not to focus solely on the race. To enjoy the people, Romanian culture, the landscapes, and everything that makes this experience special. Not to be so fixated on the clock or his position that he forgets to look around. Over time, the finishing position or the time it took to complete the race will likely matter less. What will remain are the memories, the places you discovered, the people you met, and how you felt while living that adventure. So my advice would be this: give it your all, strive for your goals, but don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Because in the end, beyond the result, what we take away are the experiences we’ve had and the memories we’ve created. And it’s worth making sure they’re unforgettable.
8. YOUR BRIDGE TO NEW HORIZONS: What new horizons are you looking towards, and how will the experience you carried from Bucovina shape the next chapter of your journey?
My goal is to keep improving and be able to compete at the highest level, testing my skills against the world’s best runners. One of my dreams is to one day be in the running for victory at the UTMB. I know it’s a very ambitious goal, but Bucovina has shown me that I can aim for challenges that I might have once thought were out of reach. This experience has given me a lot of self-confidence. It has shown me that hard work and perseverance are paying off, and it has encouraged me to keep setting increasingly demanding goals. Now I want to use that confidence to continue growing as a runner and gradually close the gap to that level. One of the main challenges is securing the necessary support to make that leap. I’m currently balancing sports with my studies, and since I’m not yet a professional runner, covering the costs of travel, food, gear, and competitions represents a significant financial burden. Having brands that trust me and believe in my journey would give me more resources to train, compete, and keep improving. That’s why another of my goals is to continue achieving results, gain visibility, and demonstrate that I can add value to the brands that decide to join me on this journey. I’d like Bucovina to be a turning point in my career and the start of a new phase in which I can get closer and closer to my athletic dreams.
