Eloísa García (known to family, friends, and colleagues as Elo) has been a part of the Wonderful Machine family for many years, and, like a family, we’re always happy to celebrate the achievements of our staff! Elo, a photographer, artist, and all-around marketing whiz, recently took on a new challenge of running 42km in the Madrid Rock N’ Roll Marathon, which celebrated its 45th anniversary this past April.
Elo has been running for over five years and credits her sister as the catalyst for this journey.
I started running for my younger sister. In 2018, she invited me to 5K and 10K races in Mexico City, and since I ran the first one I found it very liberating and exciting.
The decision to run the Madrid marathon came about when Elo and her sister, who lives in Mexico, were considering which international race to tackle this year. Races like these are a great way to travel while staying active, as most routes will tour some of the most famous landmarks of their city. The Madrid Rock n’ Roll Marathon, in particular, attracts 10,000 foreign runners from 110 countries, who eagerly participate in the event and return year after year.
This all came together last year, when I told my sister I wanted to run Berlin. She suggested that we apply for London, but we finally decided on Madrid so that she could come with her husband and children, this way we would all be together and they could watch us run.
Like many others, Elo took up training at the beginning of the year, after relaxing over the holidays with family.
I started training on January 7, when I came back from my winter vacation in Mexico. That week I began using the Adidas training plan and seeking advice from coaches at the gym I attend in Madrid.
She also prepared by running along the race’s route in Paseo de la Castellana, the most famous avenue of the city, and through Madrid Rio, a large and populous park.
The Madrid marathon runs along almost the entire Paseo de la Castellana and many streets in the center. The most complicated part is in Madrid Rio, a pedestrian and recreational area arranged along a good stretch of the Manzanares River. From kilometer 30 to 36 we went out to Casa de Campo and although it is a very beautiful ecological area it becomes a little tedious. The last stretch of the marathon took us back to the city center of Madrid, to finish in the great traffic circle of La Cibeles.
On the day of the race, Elo got a 10-minute lead on her sister, though they were able to finish together and support each other during the race. Her family and friends were also there to celebrate her, including her personal cheerleaders: her son Fausto, and her daughter Irene!
We were supported the whole time by a great group of friends and family. My mom, dad, two children, husband, my sister’s husband, and friends from Barcelona, London, and Stuttgart. All were wearing matching T-shirts with our names on them! It was amazing to see them supporting us during the race!
Elo’s determination carried her through the 4.5-hour race. Despite experiencing some physical pain, the pride and joy of accomplishing her goal outweighed it.
I am very proud of my effort and my training and above all, of having been able to focus my mind on a goal. During the marathon, I had no doubts about achieving it at any time, I enjoyed (I also suffered a little of course), the 42 kilometers.
While you’re focused on getting yourself across the finish line, you’re also motivated by all the people who are running alongside you. It’s a wonderful feeling of companionship and solidarity with strangers who share a common goal. One that Elo carries into all aspects of her life.
I feel free and focused, I also love sharing this with so many people and watching them as they run around me. Marathons are very motivating sporting events in many ways.
Before fate brought Elo to our company, she worked in Mexico for more than ten years, as an executive producer within the audiovisual, media, and performing arts sphere. After that, her life took her from Algeria to Switzerland to Spain where she currently resides. During that time, she had the opportunity to work as a cultural manager, independent photographer, and producer.
July 2023 marks my three-year anniversary working at Wonderful Machine! I have worked in each of the outreach areas and I was also able to set up some meetings with advertising agencies in Mexico with our team of producers. Currently, I am responsible for consulting photographers as a marketing specialist.
Here at Wonderful Machine, Elo is one of our top marketing consultants, working with photographers to connect them with agents and clients, or on their overall marketing efforts. With years of experience engaging with art around the world, Elo’s expanded perspective helps her connect photographers and clients abroad, making her an integral part of our international outreach. And, as a native Spanish speaker, she represents nearly all of our photographers living and working in Spanish-speaking countries.
We simply couldn’t aid as many as we do without the dedication and passion that Elo brings to our company!
Stay tuned to learn more about our Team and their lives outside of Wonderful Machine!
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