By Alberto Ugarte
In 2009, Christopher McDougall's Born to Run unveiled the extraordinary running skills of the Rarámuri people in Northern Mexico. Since then, experts in the sports science field have meticulously researched their physiological and biomechanical characteristics. While more people now know about Rarámuri running culture, the Rarámuri remain on the periphery of the Mexican state. Located in the Sierra Madre Occidental, which covers the states of Sonora, Durango and Chihuahua, Rarámuri ethnic history traces back some 15,000 years. Their cultural and religious traditions are a mix of Catholicism and shamanism. The family is a very important element in their community: a symbol of respect that influences their running culture.
Running 100 kilometers throughout the mountains requires impressive endurance, mental strength, and courage. The ultra-marathon seems an ideal distance for the Rarámuri. In 2017, twenty-two-year-old María Lorena Ramírez won first place at the ultra-marathon in Puebla, Mexico. María beat elite competitors from 15 different countries and was able to finish the race without running gear, hydration, and advanced nutrition. Maria's achievement spread rapidly on social media, as millions of people around the world shared her story.
However, there is a story that has not yet gone viral. A story of displacement, racism, discrimination, and economic inequality. According to Amnesty International, indigenous communities in the state of Chihuahua face various social injustices. Historically, from the colonial period to post-revolutionary Mexico, indigenous communities have faced ethnic discrimination and religious imposition. According to the 2015 census, 6.6% of Mexico's population speaks an indigenous language. Several investigations conducted by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT) have highlighted discrimination against indigenous communities in urban spaces.
While running the ultra-marathon, Maria Lorena was sore and felt pain, there is no doubt about it. Running 100 kilometers pushes the human body to its limit. Nevertheless, that was not Maria Lorena's biggest concern while running. In a short interview after the race, she said her primary goal was to win the race prize of $300, which would help her family to get food for one month.
Maria Lorena's family symbolizes the problems faced by many Rarámuris. Moving to the city is not easy. Stigmatization follows them, and the labor market shrinks. Ever since the first Catholic missionaries arrived in Mexico in the 16th century, Rarámuris have tried to preserve their identity and cultural background.
Despite the efforts of the Mexican government to protect these ethnic groups, initiatives tend to focus on tourism and on extracting natural resources from near their homelands. Instead of a policy of integration, public policies have designated areas of development that are becoming national parks and reservations. Similar to the cases of First Nations people in Canada and Native Americans in the US, the development of reservations in Mexico has resulted in various negative outcomes.
The most serious problems are linked to the environment and to organized crime. Since economic opportunities outside the community are hard to find, Rarámuri families are still attached to traditional crop production and seasonal hunting. Moreover, educational infrastructure is not widespread. In recent years, several communities reported illegal logging in the area. In 2017, Julian Carrillo, a political and environmental leader of the community, was killed by a heavily-armed group. Since 2007, Carrillo had fought a legal battle against mining companies and drug cartels that aimed to take control of the land.
The death of Carrillo highlights the real challenges facing Rarámuri. While the world admires the ultra-marathon records set by these amazing runners, national media remains silent. In the last decade, human rights organizations have warned about the critical situation in the region. Recently, organized crime is trying to hire Rarámuris to smuggle drugs across the US - Mexican border. Between 2010 and 2018, over 100 Rarámuris were arrested. Local nongovernmental organizations reported that many trials have been unfair, as most do not have proper legal representation.
Many elite runners from the U.S, Canada, and Europe have witnessed the skills of the Rarámuri runner. In 2018, Maria Lorena and her brother competed at the Tenerife ultra-marathon in Spain, and finished in the top ten in their age group. The event organizers were impressed by the outstanding performances of both participants. However, Maria Lorena’s family remains below the poverty line, with a monthly income less than $250. Running 100 kilometers in less than 20 hours seems easy when compared with the discrimination and poverty Rarámuris face.
Alberto Ugarte is a student in the MSc in Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict at Birkbeck College, University of London. Born in Mexico City, Mexico., he also holds an M.A in International Relations from Central European University. His research focuses on the connections between populism, nationalism, and violence in Latin America. He runs short distances and the duathlon. In 2019, he competed in the ITU Multi-sport World Championship in Pontevedra, Spain. He believes running brings out the best in us.
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