Growing in generosity

Inma Caubet has been part of the medical team of Val d'Aran by UTMB® since its first edition in 2021. For her this is "an opportunity to be able to participate in a mountain event, on a world scale, and moreover, at home". The best thing? "To share experiences and knowledge with other colleagues and to have an active and appropriate contact with the runners". However, in an event like this, there are always challenges to be faced, such as "having to help some runners make the decision to give up the finish line despite missing a tenth of the race". But he will never forget those nights in the mountains, "the stars in the sky, the fireflies... I would recommend other people to become volunteers in sporting events like this because it is a way of transmitting our love for the mountains and, more specifically, for the Val d'Aran".

Jordi Sala carries out multiple tasks in Val d'Aran by UTMB®. He starts the week delivering bibs, but he also manages the runner's bags, he is at the aid stations, helps with transport, with the timing and the medal ceremony. "The best thing about being part of this type of event is the feeling of helping out, giving the runners a sense of companionship, and motivating them during the hard moments of the race. I like being able to follow the runners from the start: at the bibs, during the race, at the aid stations, and at the finish line, handing out medals".

Jordi decided to participate as a volunteer in Val d'Aran by UTMB® because he felt it was "a new challenge, a new race, in a special place. As a person who has been in the world of volunteering for many years, I can say that the experience has been very enriching, very well organised, with many facilities, and I am looking forward to repeating it".

For him, being part of a team that makes Val d'Aran by UTMB® a reality makes him feel "very proud, very happy, and eager to do my bit in a race that will undoubtedly be one of the most important in the world".

One of his most special memories? "The bond and friendship that has been created with the rest of the volunteers at the Pas Estret aid station in the 2022 edition".

Pau Bravo, head of the Banhs de Tredòs aid station, is also one of the first members of the Val d'Aran by UTMB® family. In his case, he was encouraged to take part in this adventure because he knew that it was a "great opportunity to offer this event to the privileged territory that we have, and to make it known abroad".

For him, the best thing about interacting with the runners and other volunteers throughout the week is "to greet the runners with a smile, to applaud them, and to give them all the help possible in the difficult moments they are going through. As for the volunteers, we have a great team. We already know each other, and we work in a very coordinated way, and the atmosphere among us couldn't be better".

Pau has no hesitation in recommending this experience "to everyone who wants to and can participate, regardless of age or gender. If you're from the area, you do it for the Val d'Aran, and if you're not, you have time to discover it in depth when you're not busy". For him, his best memory is the passage of the runners of the longer distances, "because they stop for a longer time to recover, and you can chat and encourage them better".

Judith Sala will never forget "the hug that a runner gave me when she reached the finish line of the VDA and I gave her the medal, after 42 hours. I had already given her supplies and encouragement in the high mountains, more or less halfway through the race, and she was very excited to have arrived, to see me there too... She was crying and kept saying 'thank you'... That's very moving".

She also hands out race bibs, manages runner’s bags, and helps with transport, aid stations, timing and medals. "For me it is a very enriching experience. It allows you to get to know and participate from the inside in a sport that, in my case, I really like, follow and practice, although without competing, just because I like running in the mountains. Besides, all the volunteers always generate a very nice atmosphere among us. We do it because we like it, which makes our work very appreciated. I have already volunteered in several races, and I do it again because it is a very enriching experience".

One of the biggest challenges she had to face was "setting up and taking responsibility, together with my partner, for a high mountain aid station where two races, the VDA and the CDH, were passing through. It was two days almost without sleep, where many things happened to us, but all of them were overcome thanks to the effort of the whole group of volunteers". However, Judith already knew some of the runners from previous races. "You make friends with them; they are happy to see you and they remember you a lot because you have cheered them up or helped them. Generally, it's very nice to interact with them because often the circumstances are tough, they arrive tired and demotivated, and you have to be there for them and help them. I have met runners in places that have nothing to do with the races and they have recognised me because at one point I filled their bottles or gave them a piece of omelette.... Incredible!

She also admits to having made many friends with whom he keeps in touch throughout the year. "The circumstances, sometimes complicated at certain aid stations, and living together for hours and days at a time, makes the group of volunteers become a team and we all go together as one, it's very nice to share it", she says.

She has only words of thanks. "I love this world, this sport, the mountains, and to be able to take part and collaborate so that an event like this can take place... it's really fulfilling. As long as I can, I will continue to volunteer, and I want to encourage people to participate. I think we are an important part of these events and the reward for this work is well worth it".