National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year honours extraordinary achievements in the fields of exploration, adventure sports, conservation and humanitarianism within the past 12 months. This year ’s theme was ‘Trailblazers’, with each participant achieving something unique, groundbreaking and game-changing in their activity
The ultramarathon runner MIRNA VALERIO
A runner, author and educator, Mirna has faced racism, sexism and body shaming, and is dedicated to challenging stereo types around who is and isn’t an athlete.
ADVENTURE IS DOING SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF ORDINARY LIFE.
Whatever that thing is, it fires up your soul, spirit and imagination, and brings the ordinary into perspective.
ONE OF MY FAVOURITE MEMORIES OF RUNNING IS… running a five-mile section of the [Georgia] Sky to Summit with my friend Amy. I hadn’t planned on accompanying her, because I was still recovering from the Javelina Jundred 100k. It was pretty technical and I discovered that my body could keep moving on tough terrain. We ran some sections pretty fast (well, fast for me), and I was amazed at my ability to move as though I hadn’t just done the most difficult thing of my life. It was also autumn and the colours of the forest were spectacular. Afterwards we went to a local restaurant and had a sumptuous brunch that included pumpkin waffles and maple syrup. While we were eating, Amy said: “This is how life should be. Run trails with friends. Eat. Repeat.”
THE CLOSEST I’VE COME TO ROCK BOTTOM IS WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A HEART ATTACK A WHILE AGO.
Everything I’d done to create a life for me and my family that I was proud of suddenly came into question — why was I doing all of this if it only meant I was slowly killing myself? Suddenly, everything came into perspective.
BEING A PERSON OF COLOUR IN THIS FIELD IS LIKE MOST OF THE REST OF MY LIFE.
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