Apr 2, 2026
What happens when you trade a tennis
racket in Peru for the grueling Canadian ultramarathon circuit? In
this episode, we sit down with Sergio Raez Villanueva, an elite
long-distance runner whose "gutsy" racing style recently took him
all the way to India to represent Canada at the 50K World
Championships. Sergio opens up about his profound transition from a
Peruvian immigrant to a national-level athlete, revealing how he
used running as a meditative lifeline to navigate the hurdles of a
new life.
We trace his evolution from the fast-paced world of collegiate
cross country to the grit of high-level ultras, exploring how he
manages to balance a demanding full-time career with an intensity
that sees him tackling the Ottawa 10K and marathon in a single
weekend. Sergio shares the mindset behind his upcoming "go big or
go home" season—which includes his daunting first attempt at a
100-mile trail race at Sulphur Springs 2026—while reminding us that
even in a solitary sport, it is the pulse of the community and a
deep sense of cultural pride that truly fuels his fire.
Learn more about Sergio at: https://www.instagram.com/sergioraezv/
Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-canada-road-trail-membership
Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/