The Woman Who Ran With No Shoes — And Won It All

Candelaria Rivas Ramos, a woman from the rugged Tarahumara mountains of Chihuahua, Mexico, arrived at the 2025 Canyon Ultra Marathon with nothing but her spirit and her heritage. No coach. No sponsors. No high-tech gear. Just traditional huaraches, a flowing skirt, and the strength of generations woven into her very being.

The Tarahumara people, known for their unparalleled endurance running across the steep terrains of the Sierra Madre, have long been revered for their ability to run for hours, even days, through some of the harshest conditions on Earth. Candelaria, born into this rich culture, carried their legacy with every stride.

As she stepped onto the starting line, many spectators were skeptical — how could someone without the modern tools of today’s competitive runners keep up in the scorching sun, battling altitude, exhaustion, and the relentless 63-kilometer terrain? Yet, Candelaria was undeterred. She didn’t need fancy shoes or performance-enhancing gadgets. She had the power of her ancestors flowing through her veins.

Against the odds and the clock, she ran with a quiet, steady determination. She ran for her people. She ran for the legacy of her ancestors. She ran for the strength found in simplicity, in connection to the earth beneath her feet. And as the hours passed, it became clear that Candelaria wasn’t just running to finish — she was running to win.

And in 7 hours and 34 minutes, she did just that. Candelaria Rivas Ramos crossed the finish line first — a stunning victory that shocked and inspired everyone.

Her triumph wasn’t just about sport. It wasn’t about beating the competition. It was about something much deeper: culture, identity, and the unbreakable power of resilience. In her victory, Candelaria reminded the world that strength doesn’t come from technology or gear, but from the heart, from heritage, and from the relentless will to keep going, no matter the odds.

Her story is a testament to the fact that real power comes from within — and sometimes, it’s the quietest voices and the simplest paths that lead to the greatest triumphs.