Más que millas: Latinos Run Tampa finds something bigger on the trail

Trail running has a way of sneaking up on you. One minute you think you are signing up for a race, the next you are standing in the middle of a forest, dirt on your shoes, music floating through the trees, and a group of people around you who suddenly feel like family.

That was Ragnar Trail Florida for Latinos Run Tampa.

At the end of December, our Tampa crew rolled into Alafia River State Park ready for something different. Not a road race. Not a start line packed behind cones and timing mats. This was a team of eight runners, plus pacers, sharing one camp, one goal, and 126.4 miles of winding trail spread across three loops. Two days. One night. A lot of sweat, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

The trails asked for attention. Roots, climbs, rolling terrain, and over 5,200 feet of elevation gain demanded patience and respect. Each runner logged about 15.8 miles, averaging 656 feet of climbing, but numbers barely tell the story. What mattered more was how the miles felt. The Florida sun filtered through the trees. The forest stayed quiet except for footsteps, breathing, and the occasional shout of encouragement from a teammate.

This was running stripped down to its essentials. No headphones. No distractions. Just movement, nature, and people you trust.

Between loops, camp life took over. Tents zipped and unzipped. Shoes came off. Yoga mats rolled out. There was stretching under the trees, music drifting through camp, and conversations that only happen when phones are forgotten and time slows down. At night, the bonfire lit up tired faces and big smiles. Stories were shared. Food tasted better. Sleep felt earned.

Ragnar has a way of creating these moments. It brings people together in a way road races rarely do. For our Latino community, that sense of belonging hits even deeper. Trail running is still a space where Latino participation is limited, and showing up here, together, matters. It sends a message that we belong on these trails too. That adventure is not reserved for just one type of runner.

And then there was the cheering. Loud, joyful, impossible to ignore. Daniel embodied it fully, earning a cheering medal that felt as meaningful as any finisher award. He reminded everyone that energy is a gift, and when you give it freely, it comes back tenfold.

The weekend closed with one more moment that captured everything. Latinos Run Tampa was awarded the Team Spirit Award. Not for speed. Not for placement. But for heart. For showing up fully. For supporting each other and everyone around us with alegría, pride, and authenticity.

Standing there, medals in hand, dirt still clinging to shoes, it was clear this experience had shifted something. Many of us came in as road runners curious about trying something new. We left with a different perspective on what running can be. Trail racing changes the dynamic. It slows you down in the best way. It invites you to feel the terrain, to lean on your team, to celebrate effort instead of pace.

For young Latino runners especially, this kind of experience opens doors. It expands what feels possible. It shows that running does not have to fit into one box. It can be communal. It can be wild. It can be rooted in culture and connection.

Ragnar Trail Florida was more than a race. It was a reminder that stepping off the pavement can lead you somewhere powerful. Into the forest. Into community. Into a version of running that feels less about chasing times and more about sharing miles.

And if this weekend proved anything, it is that Latinos Run Tampa is just getting started. The trails are wide open. The fire is lit. And the next adventure is already waiting.