Athlete Airam Alonso Launches 232km Tenerife Run to Support Pediatric Rheumatology Research

Athlete Airam Alonso is launching a new initiative to raise awareness for rare diseases and support clinical research in pediatric rheumatology. Alonso, who lives in La Laguna and has been diagnosed with Behçet's syndrome and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, plans to run a 232-kilometer route across seven municipalities in Tenerife. His goal is to raise 8,000 euros for the Spanish Society of Pediatric Rheumatology (SERPE).

Organized through the Pingüirunner association, the project is more than just an athletic challenge; it aims to provide advice and support for patients who have recently been diagnosed. The journey begins this Sunday in La Laguna and will pass through Candelaria, Arico, Granadilla, Adeje, Santiago del Teide, and Los Realejos before returning home. Each stop will feature public awareness events and physical activities, hosted in partnership with local groups to promote healthy living.

For Alonso, who is known for endurance feats like the 17-hour Backyard Ultra Gran Canaria, exercise is a vital tool for managing his chronic symptoms. He has prepared for this seven-day challenge with a rigorous schedule of strength training, running, and careful nutrition. However, Alonso stresses that the true success of the journey isn’t about his athletic performance, but about raising social awareness. The route will conclude with a symbolic event alongside children receiving treatment at the local university hospital.

This initiative highlights the urgent need for better support for those with autoimmune and rare diseases, where early information and psychological care are just as important as medical treatment. Beyond raising funds for science, Alonso hopes to show that it is possible to live a proactive life while managing an illness. Those who wish to support the cause can purchase a charity race bib, with all proceeds going toward SERPE’s research into inflammatory and connective tissue diseases in children and adolescents.