3rd Annual Amistad PTSD Del Rio Marathon Brought Hundreds of Runners Together

The third annual Amistad PTSD Awareness Del Rio Marathon brought nearly 170 regsitered runners out to San Felipe Creek on Saturday morning October 11, 2025. Athletes from across the state joined in on the races. Four different events were held. A family-friendly 5K and 10K, as well as a 13.1 mile half-marathon and 26.2 mile full marathon. A few improvements were made to the event this year. A new route, new vendors, more water stations, additional directional signage, and official partnership with La Fiesta de Amistad were introduced.

Hector “Nuno” Hernandez took home the trophy for overall winner with a full marathon finishing time of 3:46:10. Hernandez said he came directly from the Chicago half-marathon to run in the Del Rio marathon. He had gotten back into running this year to prioritize his mental and physical health. Hernandez said, his time this marathon “set a new personal record.” While holding his trophy, Hernandez shared a motivating message for Del Rio: “just get up and run!”

Charisma Martinez followed an hour behind Hernandez as the first female marathon finisher, with a time of 4:32:41. Out of the hundreds of registered runners, only 10 brave souls participated in the full marathon. The last marathoner passed through the finish line 6:06:25 after they started running. But all participants completed the race. There were zero DNFs (did not finish).

Keegan Davis drove in from San Antonio with his wife Carley Davis to run in the half-marathon. Keegan was the first male half-marathon finisher, with a time of 1:35:25. Keegan crossed the finish line first, ran back an entire mile to find his wife who was trailing behind, and then redid the final mile hand-in-hand with Carley. Together, they finished at 2:07:43. Carley ran 13.1 miles and Keegan put in at least 15.

The Amistad PTSD Awareness group was founded by former mayor Bruno Lozano more than three years ago. Lozano and his Marathon planning team of volunteers ensured the events success. Based on feedback from previous years, the volunteers worked to improve the event’s operations. During the first and second annual event, a few runners missed their turn and ran a partially incorrect route. For the third annual event, they invested in flags to be placed at every corner.

Ana Lourdes and Karen Perez received honorable mentions for their event organization efforts, alongside Sarita, Alejandra, Martin, Lucy, Patsy, Jackie, and Dulce. Lourdes coordinated with Bike Del Rio to provide biker escorts. Bike riders led the runners along the correct route. The 4 race routes were modified this year, so that each start and finish line could be located at the Dr. Alfredo Gutierrez Amphitheater.

Consolidating the start and finish lines helped to centralize all event activities. HEB handed out water and bananas. Chick-Fil-A hosted a spin-the-wheel giveaway game and was selling breakfast sandwiches. Cardinal Points set up a mobile coffee shop. Spectators and supporters cheered at the finish line.

M&L Auto Sales brought a traveling ice bath to for runners to try for free. Event attendees had the opportunity to rinse off in an outdoor shower and then jump in a human-sized barrel of fresh ice water. M&L said the treatment helps speed up post-race recovery and is a service they offer locally in Del Rio. Top Notch Supplements and Iron Core Fitness collectively donated pre-work out mix, recovery-aid drink supplements, and some workout gear for the marathon winners.

During the award ceremony, Top Notch addressed all of the runners in the crowd and said, “you already won by getting up this morning and coming out here and running.” They described running as a sport for “strength and unity, power and purpose.” Thier message aligned well with the mission of the Amistad PTSD Awareness group. The Del Rio Marathon originally founded to focus on mental and physical health and recovery within a supportive community.

The Shumla Archaeological Research & Education Center sponsored an informational booth. Their presence at the Marathon was symbolic. The theme of this year’s Marathon was the White Shaman ancient rock art. Its image is featured on the trophies, medals, and backdrops of the third annual Del Rio Marathon. The White Shaman mural is found within the Lower Pecos Canyonlands, the area where Shumla focuses their studies. Lozano connected the deep significance of the historical site and the ancient people who created it, to the ritual of running. He said, “its about grounding yourself, connecting with the land, and your community.”

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