The Guatemalan athlete has always been characterized by giving everything in competitions. José Carlos Sarmiento is no exception and after overcoming several problems, he completed the Western States Endurance Run 2018, one of the toughest competitions in the world.

The “chapín” runner needed 26 hours and 58 minutes to finish the 100.2 miles of the demanding test held from June 23 to 24 in Squaw Valley, California, United States.

Ranking 175th, Sarmiento was one of the 299 athletes who managed to complete the race. While the number of runners who were registered was 369.
In his social networks, «Charlie» told about his experience and the difficulties he had during his participation. The Guatemalan lived «a unique experience due to its history and mystique of the place», in the competition that he considers to be the toughest in the world «due to its intense heat».

At kilometer 125 of the race, Sarmiento suffered a hip injury that almost left him out. The pain he felt forced him to walk, but he did not give up: «I reminded myself that this race had been dedicated to all the victims of the fire volcano (…) no pain could make me give up.»

More about Jose Carlos Sarmiento
Charlie Sarmiento is known for being one of the few ultra-endurance athletes in Guatemala. Among his last participations in 2018 he was representing the country in the Mountain Racing World Championship together with Juan Carlos Sagastume. He has also participated in ultramarathons considered the most demanding in the world.

José Carlos Sarmiento completó la Western States Endurance Run 2018