Raúl Criado Sánchez

Our ambassadors

Our athletes

Originally from Canfranc, a small village in the heart of the Pyrenees just a few kilometres from the French border, Raúl has always been passionate about the mountains. He spends a good part of his time there, both running and on skis in winter. He focuses mainly on mid-distance races (between 30km and 60km), but also takes part in a few vertical kilometre events. An athlete at home on any terrain!

Key Achievement

Winner of the Spanish Vertical Kilometre Youth Cup in 2014
Spanish Junior trail Vice-Champion in 2018
4th at the Pierra Menta summer edition in 2021
Winner of the WMRA Long Distance World Cup in 2021
Winner of the PDA (Val d'Aran by UTMB) in 2023

Future projects

Spanish Trail Running Championship
Skyrunner World Series Circuit

Interview with Raúl Criado Sánchez

3 words that define you as an athlete?

Persevering, positive, ambitious.

3 values that define you as a person?

Joyful, dreamy, determined.

Why do you feel you belong to the Cimalp family?

I am delighted to be part of a team with whom I share the same values, and to wear the Cimalp sunglasses, which I am particularly fond of.

What is your best and worst mountain memory, and why?

It's hard to pick just one good memory! I would say broadly all those days when I feel a special connection, alone in the mountains. My worst memory is without doubt the day I had to abandon during the Zegama race due to hypothermia.

What do the mountains inspire in you?

Vastness and power.

What is your relationship with the environment and ecology?

I have felt a strong connection with nature since I was very young, which later led me to study biology.

Another great passion or talent beyond sport?

Motorsport.