Sometimes the most coolest moments in sport arrive by accident. When Julia Paternain crossed the finish line of the Tokyo World Championships marathon, she wasn’t thinking about history and she wasn’t even sure the race was over. Yet in that instant of disbelief, she had just given Uruguay its first-ever World Championships medal.

In just her second marathon, the 25-year-old stunned the world with a fearless run, climbing from 15th place at halfway to finish third in 2:27:23 behind legends Tokyo Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya and former world record holder Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia. For a runner once who was among the last ones qualified for the championships, the bronze was unthinkable — and unforgettable.

Born in Mexico, raised in England, tested in the NCAA system in the U.S., and now calling Flagstaff home, Paternain carries a layered identity but an unwavering pride of all those places. And with her medal, a nation of three million found itself on the global podium for the very first time.

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Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Guest: Julia Paternain | @juliapaternain_ on Instagram

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

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