Glòria Espunyes, an athlete from Sabadell and mother of two, was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), without warning. Running has become a life project and a refuge for her, turning every race into a victory against fear and uncertainty. She is now taking on the challenge of competing in the prestigious World Marathon Majors circuit.
“"It is a chronic disease and it is for life, they have no cure and it makes me go to the bathroom without control."
Living with Ulcerative Colitis involves facing unpredictable flare-ups that overturn daily life. Espunyes, who has suffered seven flare-ups in fourteen years, compares the pain to that of childbirth, adding the uncontrollable urgency to use the toilet. During severe flare-ups, she has gone up to 40 times a day, leading to profound physical and mental exhaustion.
Running emerged during the pandemic as a source of calm and has become a therapeutic tool. Glòria Espunyes trains at six in the morning, covering between seventy and eighty kilometers weekly. She gained access to the World Marathon Majors thanks to her time achieved at the Barcelona Marathon, and her first major challenge will be in London in April, which she plans as a family trip.
“"You don't make it in time. I need to have a bathroom nearby."
Beyond the competition, the main goal is to raise visibility for IBD, which affects over one percent of the global population. Espunyes collaborates with the Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis Association (ACCU) and maintains a solidarity campaign to break taboos and raise awareness about the real impact of the disease.
