Miguel Socorro clinches his seventh international marathon in Sydney

Miguel Soc earned his seventh medal on the world marathon circuit by completing the TCS Sydney Marathon in 4:22:21, finishing an impressive 396th in his age group among nearly 33,000 participants. “I still had fuel left, and I gave everything in the final kilometres.”

Miguel Ángel Socorro Perdomo is better known for his work restoring residents’ homes as a member of the Corralejo Old Town Affected Committee and for his role as an economic‑area technician for the Fuerteventura Island Council, rather than for his sporting achievements.

He began running at age 49 after a doctor warned him about a health issue. Fifteen years later, he has become a standout athlete in his category. “I went from a sedentary life to discovering athletics thanks to a medical warning,” he said.

Now a long‑time resident of Fuerteventura, Socorro flew back to the island after crossing the globe to finish his seventh world marathon in Sydney. The Majorero runner crossed the line in 04:22:21, placing 396th out of 1,013 runners in the 60‑64 age group, in a race that started with 32,966 participants – the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by Asics.

The Boost from a Fellow Canary at Kilometer 39

The race was challenging from the start because he could not sleep the night before. “I started with caution because I didn’t know how much the lack of sleep would affect me,” Socorro explained in a recent interview with Sergio de la Rosa for Radio Nacional de Canarias. His strategy was to keep his heart rate under strict control: “The key was not to exceed the heart‑rate limit set by my coach.”

“I still had fuel left, and I gave everything in the final kilometres.”
— Miguel Socorro

The turning point came at kilometre 39 when he met another Canary runner: “A fellow runner from Las Palmas passed me, saw my Fuerteventura flag, asked where I was from and encouraged me. She really gave me a boost.” That gesture provided the extra energy to power through the last three kilometres with intensity: “I still had fuel, and my final three kilometres were driven by tremendous strength.”

After completing yet another event on the international circuit, Socorro emphasizes the broader lesson: “Discipline is essential to enjoy a high‑quality third stage of life, full of vitality and desire to live.”