In recent years, at the local, national, and international levels, the surge in running has increased: there are more and more people passionate about this sport. In the case of our university community, the number of Unicauca students leaving their mark high in different sporting events within the running sphere is also on the rise.

"Runner? Running? What's that all about?" Well, let's break it down! Let's start by explaining a bit about the origin of the word "runner," a term that has become popular in recent times. The term "runner" is used to refer to individuals who take part in various forms of races such as marathons, 5 to 10-kilometer races, relays, obstacle races, and other athletic disciplines, not just to compete but also to stay fit and healthy.

At Unicauca, we have dedicated enthusiasts, well-recognized runners who take full advantage of spaces such as our athletic track and the Tulcán University Sports Center (CDU), both inaugurated in December 2022. As we approach its one-year anniversary, the university administration highlights the substantial participation and use of these facilities. It's undeniable how much the university community and individuals relish utilizing this significant platform for their daily sports training. Here's an interesting fact in case you didn't know: our athletic track has a thickness of 13 mm, has been tested and certified by World Athletics, and is prepared to meet various levels of both amateur and professional demands – fantastic!

Despite not currently having an athletics team or development program within our university, the commendable work of Professor Carlos Ignacio Zúñiga stands out. For several years, he has dedicated himself to training athletes with disabilities. Currently, he is guiding Daniela Salazar, a non-hearing Unicauca student, who not only practices athletics but is also a National Champion in the 1500m and 800m events. Daniela, under Prof. Carlos's guidance, is preparing for the upcoming Para-National Games. Speaking of which, Coach Carlos shared an intriguing message: "I want to tell the Unicauca community and the entire population that engaging in physical activity should be built within each of us. We must foster a culture aimed at achieving or maintaining a proper quality of life."

Similarly, within the field of athletics, there's remarkable participation from professors like Cristhian Figueroa and Eduardo Cañola. In the previous National Tournament for University Staff, they secured gold, silver, and bronze medals in different categories of this sports discipline. "The invitation is for the entire Unicauca community to practice athletics, as it's a means to improve not only physical health but also mental well-being. Athletics is often seen as a complicated sport, yet its enjoyable aspect is often overlooked. It's an easy and cost-effective way to break away from routine and improve health," expressed Cristhian Figueroa, a professor in the Department of Telematics at the University of Cauca. He boasts a remarkable sports career, shining in events like the 2013 World Masters Games or, more recently, in the San Silvestre Athletic Race in Curicó, Chile (2020), just to name a few participations where he always lands on the podium.

On another note, triathlete and Unicauca graduate, Carlos Astaìza, who also has significant international participations under his belt, highlighted, "We should take advantage of the sports facilities at the University of Cauca, which are in excellent condition, whether for personal fitness activities, high-performance training, or as a hobby. It's a way to discover the infinite strength of the mind and body."

Likewise, Andrés Chilito, a professor in the Political Science program at our Alma Mater, who has dedicated himself to trail running in recent years, mentioned, "Engaging in a sport is valuable not only to stay physically active but also for good mental health, especially in moments where situations tend to overwhelm us emotionally. Here, sports act as a lifesaver to navigate through those worrying and stressful situations."

The invitation is crystal clear: we should engage in sports because, indeed, sports mean health! Therefore, we encourage professors, students, administrative staff, and graduates to make use of the spaces provided by the Tulcán University Sports Center (CDU). Let's foster a sports culture from an Excellent and Supportive University that spreads throughout the city and the region. At Unicauca, we're privileged to have such excellent sports facilities, and it's worth making the most out of them. Remember, it's also a great plan to gather with friends and/or colleagues to refresh the body – an excellent way to care for our minds.

We hope to see you soon getting active! Also, consider delving a bit deeper into this movement that's capturing more hearts and promises to be a fantastic way to fall in love with sports.