Spain’s Manuel Anguita placed third at the 2025 Transvulcania Ultramarathon, having gradually moved up the field throughout the day. In a phone interview that’s been transcribed, he talks about his strategic pacing and experiencing his own low point at the race’s high point before finishing strong. He also talks about his plans for the rest of the year, which include lining up at the Zegama Marathon in just two weeks.
Be sure to read our 2025 Transvulcania Ultramarathon results article for the full race story.
Spain’s Manuel Anguita was third man at the 2025 Transvulcania Ultramarathon. All photos: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Manuel Anguita, Post-2025 Transvulcania Ultramarathon, Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Hi Manuel. Congratulations on your third-place finish at Transvulcania. It’s our first interview with you but I know you’ve been running trail races for many years. How did you first start running in the mountains?
Manuel Anguita: I started to run about 10 years ago because I love the mountains. I went with my father into the mountains a lot for his work from when I was six years old. My father is a hunter.
iRunFar: To talk about your other races, you were eighth at UTMB last year. Was that your biggest result yet, do you think?
Anguita: Yes, I ran UTMB last year. I enjoyed the time in Chamonix. I stayed one month before the race, to reconnaissance all of the route. I was very happy with the position.
iRunFar: You ran Transvulcania last year and you were seventh. Why did you want to do it again?
Anguita: I love La Palma and I love the race. Transvulcania is a race with altitude, it’s good for me because I live in Grenada, Spain, and I train a lot at 2,000 meters.
iRunFar: How did you find the conditions and the weather?
Anguita: Normally, I love the sun. But I felt confident. I ran with a waterproof jacket, gloves, and hat. My pacing was good for the conditions. It was getting colder all the time. I think it was a very different Transvulcania to other years, but good also.
iRunFar: Yes, it was very different! You started further back, you were not in the top 10 until about 30 kilometers. Was that intentional, to start slow?
Anguita: I ran slow because I know the race, and the true race begins at kilometer 30.
iRunFar: And how did you feel at the top, when you got to Roque de los Muchachos around 50k?
Anguita: My eyes were closed, I felt weak. When I was at Roque, I felt very bad, but on the descent from altitude I felt good, good, good.
iRunFar: Then you took third place from Tazacorte. Were you feeling good then?
Anguita: Yes, Tazacorte to Los Llanos was a good point for me. I had a lot of energy in Tazacorte.
Finish line celebrations for Manuel Anguita, third man at the 2025 Transvulcania Ultramarathon.
iRunFar: You had such a strong finish. And how do you feel today? How is your body?
Anguita: My two ankles are very sore and I have some pains because of the cold. I think in three, four, or five days I will recover, little by little.
iRunFar: Okay, I wish you a good recovery. And what is your next race?
Anguita: My next race is in two weeks, at the Zegama Marathon. I will try to improve my previous time in Zegama. In 2018, I ran 4:35 there.
iRunFar: I hope you have a great race. Do you have anything else for the rest of the season?
Anguita: I would like to run Val d’Aran and UTMB. I need a place for UTMB because the lottery this year was no good for me.
iRunFar: I hope you can get a place, and we look forward to seeing you there! Thank you so much.
Anguita: Thank you, it’s a pleasure to interview with you.
