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Run, Breathe, and Be Amazed at LUNA

(Photos by Andrew Hydle and El Comercio de Colorado)

NEW ULTRAMARATHON EDITION AT WALKER RANCH IN BOULDER COUNTY

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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Walk, run, breathe fresh air, and let yourself be embraced by the forest. All of that is possible at LUNA, the cultural and athletic event returning on May 31 for its third edition at the spectacular Walker Ranch in Boulder County. This experience, officially named “Latino Ultra Nature Adventure” (LUNA), is more than just a race: it’s an immersion in nature, health, culture, and community. Both the first and second editions of LUNA brought together nearly 300 runners each.

“LUNA is not just another marathon. It’s an experience designed to awaken our biophilia—that innate ability to feel at home in nature,” explains Irene Vilar, director of Americas for Conservation + Arts, the organization behind this event. Participants can choose from four distances: 5K, 7 miles, 15 miles, or 26 miles. Each trail was selected to spark awe and bring powerful restorative benefits to both body and mind.

Forest Bathing

One of the key concepts behind the event is “forest bathing”—a practice backed by science that shows how time in natural environments lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), improves blood pressure, and boosts the immune system. According to research cited by Vilar, just two hours in a wooded area can offer measurable immune benefits that last for days.

But LUNA is also a multicultural celebration. Designed by Latinos, yet open to everyone, the event kicks off with a blessing ceremony to honor Mother Earth. It also features a book fair, an art market, live music, yoga, and special guests like famed rarámuri runner Lorena Ramírez and her family. The atmosphere is inclusive and family-oriented.

Trails as Art Installations

“This is an event designed for everyone,” says Vilar. “Last year, more than 40% of participants were over 60 or under 21. Many of them completed their first physical challenge alongside their families.” That collective sense of achievement is part of what makes LUNA magical.

What sets LUNA apart is its curatorial approach—each route is created as a living art installation. The landscapes are not just beautiful; they’re carefully chosen to trigger a deep emotional response. “It’s like walking into an interactive nature gallery,” Vilar adds. “There is no other event in the country with this combination of purpose, design, and diversity.”

Backed by Boulder County, this will be the first time a public race is allowed in the protected grounds of Walker Ranch. “It’s a privilege to have this permit. Walker Ranch is a gem, and it’s never before hosted a competition like this,” says Vilar.

Run, Breathe, and Be Amazed at LUNA

Producers and sponsors

This new edition of LUNA is once again produced by John Lacroix, founder of the Human Potential Running Series, who has been involved in both previous editions of the ultramarathon. The event is proudly supported by The Colorado Health Foundation and the State of Colorado. LUNA is a joint initiative by Americas For Conservation + Arts and CREA Results, two organizations dedicated to community health, environmental well-being, and active engagement of Latino and diverse communities.

Register Now

Registration is already open, and a strong turnout is expected. “People don’t just come to race—they come to reconnect with their bodies, their communities, and the Earth,” concludes Vilar. A race for everyone, in every sense of the word. That’s LUNA.