A father and daughter united by a tradition that has lasted 40 years

Sant Boi de LlobregatIn an alleyway off an industrial estate in Sant Boi, we find the Josep Giménez Boilermaking Company, a family business. Josep, originally from El Prat de Llobregat, is the father of three siblings committed to the business and linked to the world of sports. The athlete from El Prat noticed the warehouse that would become the current family business during a spontaneous run in the area. In the larger office, a multitude of trophies certify an individual average of 100 half marathons, 10 marathons, and other sporting achievements achieved by father and daughter, both passionate about athletics. The office is too small for them, and consequently, they have boxes full of more awards at home.

"No one has been running in the El Corte Inglés Cursa for that many years," explains Sonia, leafing through a collection of diplomas and race numbers mixed with newspaper and magazine clippings. Among all the documents, a gold bib from the 30th edition stands out, certifying participation in fifteen races. The Giménez family is approaching this Sunday's race with a competitive spirit, which will support the Xana Foundation.

Sonia began participating in 1981, in the fifth edition. Sport is a tradition in the Giménez family: her older brother ran until he was seventeen, and her sister was a long jumper. However, her passion for athletics came from her father. Josep took his children to swimming classes and used his spare time to go running with friends: "Before standing in the stands watching my children swim, I would go jogging. I would run from the garage to my house and back again."

Josep signed up for the Pratenc Athletics Association, and Sonia continued her father's legacy from the age of eight. "I'm grateful to my father for being able to run; for me, this sport is half a lifetime. No discipline can match it," she says. The first race Josep and Sonia participated in was in Mas Tradet (Cubelles), the residential area where their grandmother lives. When Sonia's younger sister was born, her mother carried all three daughters in a stroller. This was the first El Corte Inglés Race they competed in.

The race has always maintained a popular character, but in recent years it has become more professional, and the categories and prizes have been expanded. "Before, there were no chip controls, and grandmothers would just sneak in at the final meters." In 1992, for the Olympic Games held in Barcelona, ​​105,000 people ran in the El Corte Inglés Race. In that race, Josep achieved the best time of his life: 32nd overall.

Father and mother, athletics supermen

"We've failed in other races, but never in the El Corte Inglés race," Sonia states emphatically. "Everyone has run this race at some point, but no one for so many years in a row," the athlete comments. Josep has overcome several obstacles. "At the age of sixty, I fell ill with pneumonia and stayed home for three months," he explains. After a long rest and three months of training, he participated in the race, leading the stampede of athletes. Currently, in the track event, there is only one participant over 75 years old who has achieved a better time than Josep.

Sonia has suffered several injuries that strengthened her appreciation for athletics. Two years ago, she underwent hamstring surgery and participated in the competition walking. Last year, she repeated the same formula with a broken tibia. "We go out to win every race or marathon we participate in," she reaffirms. The real challenge was running a race with a high-risk pregnancy. "The doctor told me I couldn't run, and I insisted I participate," she says. In the end, Sonia competed with friends, maintaining a relaxed pace, but she quickly left them behind. She walked half the distance and then ran half the distance.

"For me, it's more important to finish fourth or fifth, achieving a good time, than to finish first," she admits. Sonia boasts that some runners followed her because she set an excellent pace, and moments before reaching the finish line, they overtook her. "Doing the Sagrera race, I used to encourage my father to beat his personal best," she admits. Josep's path to sporting success has also encountered serious setbacks. "Two months ago I had surgery for a herniated disc, and on Sunday I'll go for a walk," she explains. The doctor prescribed sixteen months of inactivity. He, on the other hand, prefers to argue in order to exercise.

Sonia's son, meanwhile, ran until he was five, and now prefers to play volleyball. However, the boy, now eleven, will run the 10 km El Corte Inglés Race to accompany his grandfather. The athletics lineage lives on in the Giménez family. "I'll try to make sure my grandson doesn't have to carry me on his back, and I'll fight for the diploma," explains Josep as he assesses how he's approaching this Sunday's event. Both hope to fill a new chapter in the family memory.