Teacher Ariel Laguilles ‘96 to Participate in 406-Mile Ignation Run

In May, Modern Languages teacher Ariel Laguilles ‘96 will become the first person to attempt a 406-mile, 8-day challenge called the Ignatian Run. The route follows the Camino Ignaciano in Spain, which stretches from Loyola to Manresa. It retraces St. Ignatius’ steps when he walked from his birthplace of Azpeitia to the Cave of Manresa, where he spent a year in prayer, ultimately developing what we now know as the Spiritual Exercises.

“Running hundreds of miles can be done anywhere, but for me, what makes this challenge special is that it will be in a place of extraordinary significance,” says Ariel. “The journey St. Ignatius embarked on, from his birthplace of Loyola to Manresa, where he developed the Spiritual Exercises, eventually led to the creation of the Society of Jesus, and later, Jesuit schools as we know them now. As a product of Jesuit education (Gonzaga and Boston College), a former Jesuit Volunteer (Nicaragua '00-'02), and now a teacher in my 15th year at a Jesuit school, I feel a personal connection that calls me to the Camino Ignaciano.”

To follow Ariel in the months ahead, you can see his training log on Strava, or follow Ignatian Run on Twitter  and Instagram. A website will also be launched soon. Good luck, Ariel! We’ll all be cheering you on from Eye Street!
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