“We are not used to seeing these landscapes in trail running”
Luis Alberto Hernando (Burgos, 1977) is one of the most respected names in the history of trail running. A three-time world champion, the runner has found in the Canary Islands not just an incomparable competition ground, but a second home linked to the volcanic relief of the archipelago.
First contact: A spring-like discovery
His relationship with the islands began long before trail running became a mass phenomenon. His first contact was almost accidental in 1998 during a trip with friends to Tenerife. “It was the first time I got on a plane. In Burgos, I had been told the archipelago had something special, and I soon discovered it,” he recalls. He participated in the Tenerife Half Marathon and was hooked by the spring-like weather while the rest of Europe froze. “I realised the Canary Islands were a paradise for sports. They had an energy that caught you off guard.”
The legend of Transvulcania
Years later, in 2013, he arrived in La Palma for Transvulcania. What began as a personal challenge turned into unprecedented success. Hernando became a legend on the island, holding the course record for years. “I came for the atmosphere. I wanted to feel what I saw in the news: passing through Roque de los Muchachos, the dizzying descent to Puerto de Tazacorte. Seeing the sunrise mid-race and crossing the finish line with thousands of people pushing you is incomparable.”
A natural gym for the whole family
For Hernando, competing in the islands is like being in a "natural gym" that demands maximum physical effort but rewards you with landscapes that seem to be from another planet. Now, his relationship has evolved into a family affair. He travels with his wife and two children: “For us, coming to the Canary Islands means adventure, but also peace. It is a welcoming place where children feel free.”
When away from the pressure of competition, Luis prefers the laurel forest trails in Los Tilos or a quiet breakfast by the sea in Tazacorte. “'Papas con mojo' and grilled cheese are mandatory for recovery,” he jokes. For this legend, the Canary Islands are the ideal technical setting due to their climate and terrain, allowing for peak performance while fostering a vital connection with nature.