Álvaro Escuela Shatters K21 Record, Beats De Gasperi

Days after the K21 Cristalería Drago race in Tenerife, it's clear that Álvaro Escuela from La Gomera didn't just win; he achieved something truly extraordinary in Canarian sport. His performance was outstanding, grabbing everyone's attention and cementing his place among the top trail runners in the archipelago.

Escuela not only won but also shattered the race's historical record, dominating the event with impressive authority. This victory firmly places him at the pinnacle of trail running in the Canary Islands. What makes his achievement even more remarkable is that he trains while working as an environmental operative, without professional backing or making a living from the sport. His success is a testament to his perseverance, hard work, and unwavering discipline.

Speaking a few days after the race, Álvaro still felt a mix of surprise and joy, admitting he was "still processing what he experienced." He confessed, "I didn't expect to be able to run so fast." With just three weeks of focused training, he broke Marco De Gasperi's long-standing record, finishing in an incredible 1:24’34’’. This was a full minute faster than the Italian legend's previous best. De Gasperi, a world-renowned trail runner, was the only one who could keep up with Escuela, trailing by just 25 seconds after 17 kilometers. Álvaro knew he "had to push," and push he did, making history.

His incredible Sunday performance was actually the culmination of a strong weekend. On Friday, he competed in the KVertical race, an event that, like many preludes, was overshadowed by his later triumph. Still, he delivered another impressive result, finishing second in 28’41’’, only beaten by a formidable Roberto Delorenzi. Álvaro described the vertical race as "quite good," acknowledging the Swiss runner's "crazy time."

Then came Sunday, the main event, which brought a historic weekend for Tenerife trail running to a close. The race was highly anticipated, and for Álvaro, competing against Marco De Gasperi, his "absolute benchmark," was a huge motivation. He called it "an honor, because he is an idol."

Escuela took the lead from the very first kilometer, explaining, "I decided to push a little harder and set my own pace." By the second kilometer, he felt "someone breathing behind" – it was De Gasperi, sticking close. They ran side-by-side until the fifth kilometer, but then Álvaro surged ahead, gaining over a minute's lead, and ran alone through the Anaga mountains. This solitude, he admitted, was perhaps the toughest part, as he had to "overcome leg pain and suffering."

After reaching the summit at Cruz del Carmen, Álvaro noticed his lead shrinking. His girlfriend and fellow elite athlete, Estela Guerra (a top Canarian trail runner and previous K-Vertical and K21 winner), along with friends, warned him that De Gasperi was "coming behind!" and had closed the gap to just thirty seconds.

This news shattered his apparent calm. Moments earlier, he'd been told he had more than a minute's lead. The sudden change surprised him, especially since he'd just checked his watch and thought he was on track for "a good time." But De Gasperi's surge forced him to find an extra gear. "It was time to suffer and push," he recalled, though he felt "strong" and confident he "could win it."

Energized by this realization, Escuela pushed hard, managing his pain through the final asphalt descent to Plaza del Cristo, where it became highly unlikely De Gasperi could catch him. His final time of 1:24’34’’ smashed the previous record by over a minute, marking a significant leap in Álvaro Escuela's career.

Despite not being a professional athlete, his results are those of a top-tier competitor. He's been the Canarian Mountain Race Champion (Fecamon), finished 37th in Zegama – one of the world's most challenging mountain marathons – and performed strongly in the Spanish Vertical Championship. Beyond running, he also has a passion for cycling, having competed with El Fogueo in La Gomera.

Currently traveling in England to "disconnect a bit after such an intense weekend," Álvaro is already looking ahead to his last race of the year, the San Silvestre de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. He's also planning his 2025 season, noting that his greatest victory isn't any race title, but staying healthy. "Happy not to have serious injuries; for me, that's the most important thing," he said.

For 2026, he aims to start with the Canarian Championship in Guía de Isora, a race he loves because "the best Canarians gather to fight for the title." He'll also return to the Bluetrail, whose course he "loves," and will end the year by running the Mont Blanc marathon. This race holds special significance for him; in 2021, he showed his potential there, finishing in the top 11 and as the first Spaniard. With that experience and his current form, 2026 promises to be a very important year for the runner from La Gomera.