October 16, 2025 • 46 mins
The countdown to Ultraman Mexico is on—and the mountains are calling. We sit down with race director and former teenage Ultraman finisher, Van Sanchez, to map out exactly what athletes and crews will face across three days at altitude in Zacatecas. From a 10-loop open-water swim to a punchy run that climbs late and drops into a party finish.
The field is stacked and global: Mexico, the United States, Spain, Colombia, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Argentina. You’ll hear about iconic veterans like Juan Antonio Craveri on his quest to complete every Ultraman-branded event, and the eldest entrant, Ramiro de Jesús Gutiérrez Piedra, chasing five Ultraman races in a single year. We address safety concerns head-on with clear context, highlight the deep local support and government coordination.
Follow along October 17–19 on Instagram for live updates, results, and behind-the-scenes moments. Enjoy the preview, share it with your crew, and hit follow to stay tuned for race-week coverage and post-race debriefs.
Instagram: @ultramanmexico
Van has appeared four other times on the podcast. You can find those episodes free in our podcast library.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Ultraman Wales
- UltraMX515
- Brooks Running
- BYD
- Fresnillo Mining
- Vazlo Auto Parts
- City of Zacatectas
- Windstone Constructions
- Goodr Sunglasses
- Ciele Athletics
- Escualo
- Wayfar
- UM Arizona
- UM World Championships
- Pan American Race
- Festival Internacional de Teatro
Shout outs and mentions in this episode:
- Sheryl and Dave Cobb (S2E6)
- Jen McVeay (S2E8)
- Steven Keller (S6E13)
- Jane Bockus (S1E4)
- ATHLETE LIST : Lucas Cruz, María Yanga Alvarez Solis, Hector Ayuso, Johusua Duran, Pablo Enrique Solís Mayorga, Diana Carolina Pereira Vieira, Karlo Mendoza Arancibia, Roberto Dávila Otozco, Luis Antonio González Padilla, Tania Margarita Briseño Valdivia, Hector Martínez Bogard, Rafa Jaime, Juan A. Craveri (S1E5), Erik Noe Duran Luna, Edson Nevárez, Isaias Mireles Vazquez, Adolfo López Mercado, Samuel Maturano Ortiz, Alejandro Rivas, Miguel Madrid Lopez, Mateo Alba, Maria Margarita Tascón González, Felipe Montiel Flores, Toni Marin Ramos, Adrián Comparan Cueva, Ramiro De Jesus Gutierrez Piedra, Jorge Adrian Perera Ramos
- David Gilmour
- Steve King (S1E1)
- Will Rogers (S5E8)
- Shane Duffy (S4E5)
Show Contributors:
Host : Larry Ryan
Contributing Raconteur : Steve King
Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne
Production : 5Five Enterprises
Music : Run by 331
For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com
Facebook: @515TheUltraPodcast
Insta : @515theultrapodcast
Youtube : @515TheUltraPodcast
Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Larry Ryan (00:00):
Hey, I'm Larry Ryan, and welcome to 515TheUltra
Podcast.
Just before we get startedtoday, I wanted to ask if you
are following us on yourfavorite podcast provider.
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(00:21):
youtube.com, search for 515 theUltra Podcast.
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had, including our livebroadcasts.
If you speak English as asecond or third language, I
recommend playing the podcastthrough YouTube with closed
captioning in your firstlanguage.
(00:41):
Today's episode is a perfectchance to do that as it has been
posted in both audio and videoformat.
Thank you for listening.
And a special shout out toBrian Amend, who recently
supported the show through mysupport link.
You can find that in the shownotes where I list all of the
(01:02):
people and events discussed inthe episode.
Here is today's show.
My next guest has been on theshow at least four times.
(02:02):
In fact, his are some of themost listened to.
He holds the third and fifthmost downloaded episodes.
Welcome back to the podcast,Van Sanchez.
Hello, Van.
Van Sanchez (02:14):
Hello, Larry.
It's a pleasure to be hereagain.
unknown (02:18):
Yeah.
Larry Ryan (02:19):
One year.
Welcome back.
Welcome back here.
Regular listeners, you willknow that uh Van still holds the
record as the youngest personat 19 years of age to complete a
515 distance race when hecompleted that at the Ultraman
Wales.
Uh, how long has it been sinceyou've finished Ultraman Wales,
(02:40):
Van?
Van Sanchez (02:41):
10 years ago.
Larry Ryan (02:43):
10 years ago.
How long does it feel like?
Van Sanchez (02:47):
Uh well, now now I am 30 exactly, Larry.
This year um 31.
I'm older, but it's part of thelife.
But keep enjoying this Ultramanlife.
And you know, we have many newsfor all the community.
We have many things to sharewith all the people who who
(03:08):
listen you.
Larry Ryan (03:09):
Yeah, yeah, that's great.
Yeah, and we wanted to have youback on again to talk about
your race.
Obviously, when you competed atthe Ultraman in Wales, you you
came back with a fire to tospread the the 515 Aloha, Ohana,
and Kakua, and you started upyour own race, which you have
(03:30):
successfully run in in yourhometown there of Zacatecas, uh,
Mexico.
I hope I'm saying that right.
I've been working on it foryears.
Uh and and you've done that for10 years now.
Van Sanchez (03:43):
Yes, yes.
10 years now, here inZacatecas.
And and you say that, Larry.
The thing is for me, I bornhere.
All the people who is aroundthe the now Ultraman Mexico,
they they are completely happyto help and support the race,
and that's very important forall the community.
(04:04):
And you you hear now manystories from from the people who
who joined us years ago aboutUltraMex 515, or yeah.
And now we are ready to sharethe this new adventure, Ultramon
Mexico, in a few days.
Larry Ryan (04:23):
Yeah, so you you you've had you've had a very
popular brand.
I'm I'm repping your your merchhere from the Ultra MX series,
the the MX515.
Um, but you've decided to goand join in with the official
Ultraman brand.
What what was it that made youthink that you wanted to make
that jump over to be part of thethe official Ultraman family?
Van Sanchez (04:47):
But well, Larry, you know all the story, but was
and is still a challenge for forall the the Ultraman Mexico
crew, all the stuff, because weneed an upgrade for the Ultraman
race.
No, we are completely sure wewe because we we we want shared
(05:11):
to all the community a newUltraman event here in Mexico,
obviously, and a new level ofquality of this kind of races.
Now we are supporting byBrooks, and you know the brand,
the shoe brand, and we have allthe support behind of years of
(05:32):
years of work with uh sponsors.
That's important, and I I wantthis space to say thank you.
And all the people who isbehind the race, no, include my
family, friends, and thecommunity, athletes, uh,
obviously uh uh Cheryl, Davidwho who support me too much on
(05:53):
this adventure, and I'm veryhappy to to start with this.
The the all the year, Larrygoes very fast for me,
completely fast.
Yeah, well and now we are here.
Larry Ryan (06:08):
Yeah, you're you're here now with the with the
Ultraman Mexico, and and I did Isee do you have a truck sponsor
as well?
Is that one of your sponsors?
Van Sanchez (06:17):
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
It's a Chinese company, BYD.
Yeah, yes, and you you you yousee you will see the all the
information uh on the web page,obviously, and and Instagram,
yeah.
And we try to include somebrands who help us to share the
Ohana, uh, with obviously herein Mexico and obviously uh in in
(06:40):
US and and other countries.
Larry Ryan (06:43):
Yeah, no, it it's I've I've loved your marketing.
I I saw your poster that youput out online that looked like
so professional and fantastic.
I've seen your your bookletthat you're gonna be giving out
to the athletes, everythinglooks great.
Um, you're definitely taking itto the next level when it comes
to that stuff.
Van Sanchez (07:02):
Yes, thank you, Larry.
You know, you know, all thework uh behind of these kind of
races because we are completelyfull of passion about ultraman.
And it's all it's only notabout talk about ultraman and I
am a finisher and blah blahblah.
No, yeah.
I I think this is part of mylife, it's part of your life
(07:24):
too.
And we want to share that forall the new community who is now
involving on the on this kindof race, no.
And you say that we're tryingto to to be more professional
with all the uh uh with with howlooks the race is the is the
thing, no, Larry.
And we try that and we do it.
(07:45):
It's uh it's the thing.
Um I need to say again, thankyou for all for all the people
who um is involved on the racenow, Larry.
I I won't say thank you one byone to all the the sorry to all
the Ultraman and Mexico sponsorsbecause it's it's too much
(08:05):
important for us, Larry.
And I want use your space totalk about one one by one uh the
sponsorships.
If you if you help me, it willbe amazing.
Larry Ryan (08:16):
Okay, absolutely.
Yeah, let's let's shout out thesponsors.
Van Sanchez (08:19):
Yes, well, you have all the the the photographs on
Instagram and all the socialmedia, but I I won't say thank
you to Fresnillo.
Is the the is the biggest minecompany in uh silver company in
the world, you know that Larry.
Yeah, Baslo Autoparts who helpus too much.
(08:42):
Zacatecas, the government, thegovernment, so important here in
Mexico to include thegovernment on these kind of
projects, Larry.
Yeah, and you will see all thesupport behind us in the next
days.
Winston Constructions, whohelped us with uh with the
trucks, with the cars for thestuff.
(09:05):
Goodur, you know the brand, thesunglasses, yes, Ciele from
Canada, the hats, oh yeah, Brucerunning, obviously the the
number one brand in US.
Wifar with the nutrition, andBYD with the uh uh official
(09:33):
truck for the race.
We try to include many brandson this project who help us to
create this event, Larry.
And it's the thing.
Thanks so much, Larry.
Larry Ryan (09:46):
Yeah, absolutely.
And and I know how importantthe sponsors are to making the
race successful, to making itprofitable so that you're not
running a deficit when you'retrying to put these events on
for the athletes.
Um you generally need to have apretty big field of people just
to stay afloat, which you havealways had.
(10:07):
You've always had great successin bringing in people to come
to your races and and knowdifferent this year.
Um, why don't we get intotalking about maybe what the
course is going to look likethis year and then talk about
some of those people that arecoming to the race?
Because this is a uh UltramanMexico preview episode.
So um starting with the course,I know you've had some
(10:28):
different courses over the 10years where sometimes you've
gone to a lake swim, sometimesyou've gone to the um pool swim.
Um, I believe this year, fromwhat I saw in your booklet,
you're going back to a lakeswim.
Maybe you can tell us aboutwhere that's happening and and
what the water temperatures are,what they might expect, how
many loops of the course, um,what's going on with the swim
(10:50):
and the day one bike ride.
Van Sanchez (10:52):
Yes, for sure, Larry.
Uh as you can can see, we wemove the race for the capital,
the main city, Zacatecas.
Exactly.
If you are if you use Google,you will see the the the city is
beautiful, and you will checkall the architecture and all the
(11:13):
the the culture inside thecity.
And for the swim, we back againto the obviously to the to to
the open water swim course.
We use a swim course of 10loops, one kilometer per loop
for 10 kilometer swim.
And all the the day one courseis a challenge because we are an
(11:37):
altitude of 2500 meters abovethe sea.
That's important, yeah not allthe time, but uh you know we
start at two two two thousandtwo hundred and the race finish
at two thousand five hundredmeters above the sea.
Larry Ryan (11:59):
That's good, good elevation.
Van Sanchez (12:01):
Yes, if you're coming from the from the sea
level, you you need time toacclimate it with the with the
with with this course, right?
Well, the up the on now theweather is is good, it's like in
in in degrees now we are at23-25 degrees, perfect
(12:22):
conditions, not too cold, nottoo hot.
Right, it's perfect.
And now the conditions here inMexico, all the year uh help us
with too much rain.
That's important.
We have uh a very nice greenfields on the mountains, and you
know, when the rain comes, thethe the the life starts again,
(12:43):
and you know all the the all allthe the grass the the trees all
change completely.
And for the um day three Larry,we use the same course at Ultra
MX um Pan Y5.
Yeah, yeah, it's it's the same,but in another direction
(13:04):
because we're coming fromanother city, okay.
Okay, yeah, and we finish withthe same hilly section.
Larry Ryan (13:14):
Yeah, you got a big uphill at the end, right?
Van Sanchez (13:16):
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah, you you will you will youwill help me if you share the
the profile the next day perfectLarry, thanks so much.
But well, the thing is it's thecrown, no this hilly section,
and you know we we finish withuh seven kilometers of downhill
(13:38):
to the finish line, yeah, thisyear, and will be very
challenging because you need uhuh uh extra effort to be there
up the hill and then uh keep theenergy to to to the downhill,
no?
Yeah, yes, and for the runcourse we we try to to create a
(14:01):
a nice uh run course for for theathletes, and we use the same
format one marathon go and onemarathon back, right?
Yeah, yeah, uh and we add forthe wrong course Larry and
unnecessary heal again.
Larry Ryan (14:25):
You can't steal that from Arizona, yes, yes, yes.
Van Sanchez (14:30):
We take that from from uh from Arizona, the last
seven kilometers, the last sevenkilometers uphill um near La
Bufa.
No, it's a mountain near LaBufa.
Okay, it's not hilly than LaBufa, but it's close to that
mountain, okay.
And it's the same one kilometerdownhill to the finish line,
(14:52):
and it will be an amazing partythere.
You will see on social media,yeah.
Larry Ryan (14:58):
Um, and and what will be the best way for people
to follow your race?
We should talk about when therace is coming.
Um, this episode is going to bereleased a day early because
normally I release on a Friday.
I'm gonna release on a Thursdayto give people a chance.
Um, the dates are October the17th to 19th.
17th to 19th.
(15:20):
Okay.
And what will be the best wayfor people to follow along with
the race?
Van Sanchez (15:25):
Uh obviously the the the the main one is
Instagram and obviously Facebooktoo.
We use you we use um both uhplatforms to share all the
information and obviously theweb page, but the the live
coverage is totally on onInstagram histories, is the best
(15:48):
way.
Larry Ryan (15:48):
Okay, yeah.
You know, some races areactually starting to live stream
their entire event now.
Van Sanchez (15:54):
Yes, I know that.
I know that, but Larry, I Ineed to say sorry, sorry, I'm so
sorry, because now uh the thethe work and and my life is like
you know, I'm sure easy.
Yes, I'm happy with the event,obviously, but ultraman is one
part, um my family is one part,but well let's let's try it.
(16:21):
Let's let's try uh uh let's tryto organize uh the live
coverage for the next year.
And I need to use this space toto to say you are doing an
amazing job uh with this, Larry,because you're keeping
promoting the the Ultraman OHana with this kind of
professional and hard this thiskind of hard work because I I
(16:47):
know I know what what what isthe the the difficult to
organize a a lives uh a livesession through 12 hours, three
days.
Larry Ryan (16:59):
Yeah, yeah.
Well, we can talk about thatfor uh once you get through this
first one.
Van Sanchez (17:05):
Yes, yes, for sure.
But uh I I will share you allthe um the the results day by
day, excellent.
And you will share with withthe uh with your community, um,
and we'll be awesome if you helpus with that.
Because uh I we are um veryhappy to put all the the photos,
(17:27):
all the videos, all the reels,all the results on Instagram
stories because now you know allthis around social media,
right?
So somebody can hate that, butnot all the people.
And it's it's if you use thesocial media right, you will
have a good um, you know,promotion.
Larry Ryan (17:51):
It's a great promotion.
Van Sanchez (17:53):
It is, it is.
Obviously, all the promotion isimportant.
Print uh uh, you know, print afire is important, all is
important, but now the communityand now the the the triathlon
um community, the runningcommunity, all these um, you
know, all this kind of bow modais the is the is the word.
(18:18):
Um but now it's trending now.
Now it's trending, running istrending, triathlon is trending,
and where is that on socialmedia, and we understand that,
uh Larry.
Yeah, and obviously we need uhuse the social media to keep
promoting these um uh amazingand you know uh these amazing
(18:42):
and lovely uh events now.
Larry Ryan (18:45):
Yeah.
Well, well, let me ask youthen.
Um obviously there was uh alittle bit of controversy out of
Ultraman Florida this year whenum Stephen Keller got
disqualified after hischampionship three weeks later
for using a camera on his bike.
Um is that something that theOhana Loa board has now
(19:08):
re-examined, or is that rulestill in place where even if
it's a voice-activated camera,no cameras on the bike?
Van Sanchez (19:16):
No, no cameras on the bike is totally I I I it's
my posture too, because the thefirst thing for all the races
and will be the the the posturefor all the athletes is the
security, no Larry.
And the rules are rules forthat.
And I think the the the athletewho wants shared will share on
(19:39):
different uh with different umtools his race.
No, yeah, was an episode.
I think we need to close thatas uh as um as a board, I think
so, and keep running uh thiswith a new level, as as I say,
Larry.
(20:00):
And I think it was an episode,and and we need to finish with
that and keep going with thefuture of this.
Larry Ryan (20:09):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I understand.
Um, can I ask you with youcoming in as a first-year race?
Are are you on a one-yearcontract right now to see how it
goes, or do you have amulti-year contract with Ohana
Loa?
How has that worked out in yourcase?
Van Sanchez (20:26):
It is we have one one year to for a trial,
obviously.
And obviously, we won'tcontinue with with this if we
have the opportunity, Larry.
Yeah, um, you know, I'm heresince 10 years ago.
11, 10, 11.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
Yeah.
Van Sanchez (20:46):
But uh I I just won I I just want to uh say uh
thank to thanks to Cheryl,thanks to Dave, thanks to Gene,
to Jane because they support mewith this project and they trust
in Mexico for this newadventure, you know.
(21:07):
Right.
Because uh I don't know, but ifyou if you are from Canada and
we have many people different inanother country who who want
participate in in Ultraman, butthey don't speak English, for
example.
This year we have four crews,four athletes from Spain.
(21:33):
That's amazing.
And we have many people fromSouth America, they helped, they
they they are very happy tostay here too, and they are part
of the community.
But this it's it's you know,Larry, it's difficult to share
the Ohana through the countries,but now we have the opportunity
(21:55):
to keep um keep building thisamazing experience uh in Mexico,
Larry, and I'm very happy to tostart with this year.
Obviously, all all my team andand me, obviously, we want
Ultraman Mexico for for things Iuse, no, but who knows?
(22:19):
Who knows, Larry?
Now I have the opportunity, Ihave the the um I'm strong now,
I have the possibilities, I haveuh time to organize this as as
I want.
And I think it's my it's myfeeling now, Larry, with with um
with this year.
(22:40):
And obviously, I hope we'll seeyou again with Ultraman Mexico
uh on 2026.
Larry Ryan (22:48):
Yeah.
And and can I ask, are youstill doing the non-stop event
as well?
Or have you put that aside inorder to focus everything on
this Ultraman event?
Van Sanchez (22:59):
We organized the non-stop uh in in May, a few
months ago.
But for the next year, I thinkit's impossible to keep thinking
on the non-stop now becauseUltraman um you know absorbs too
much from time from me and thejob and all the stuff.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
But yeah, who knows?
Van Sanchez (23:18):
Who knows?
Because it it depends on theathletes, not me, not me.
But you know, if Ultraman isdifficult, the the same
distance, non-stop, 36 hoursnon-stop, it's more difficult to
get athletes, no.
But the the plan is not fornow, not for 2026.
(23:42):
Um let's let's wait.
No, we need to wait for for forthe future, Larry.
Okay, yeah.
Larry Ryan (23:50):
Well, I think we got a little good setup there in
the background and and youcoming into the Ultraman family,
uh, coming back to the Ultramanfamily, I guess it is.
You were there in Wales.
Um, maybe let's start talkingabout your athletes that are
coming this year, then.
Um maybe Yeah, for sure.
Well, we we can go throughthem.
Normally we go through themkind of in age groups, but uh I
(24:12):
I believe today you're moreinterested in going through them
in their uh presentation order,that you'll be seeing them.
Is that correct?
Is that how you want to dothis?
Van Sanchez (24:21):
Yes, we'll be more easier for me.
Larry Ryan (24:24):
Um but maybe let's start with how many how many
men, how many women, um, and howmany countries are going to be
represented at the race thisyear?
Van Sanchez (24:33):
Yeah, the year we have uh athletes from that's
very important, but we have uhtwo athletes from US, we have
Mexico, we have Spain, we haveCosta Rica, we have Venezuela,
we have uh Ecuador, we haveArgentina, um Colombia.
Uh I think that's all yes, yes.
(25:02):
Uh well on the list we haveLucas Cruz from US.
He's uh 32 years old.
We have um with the number two,Maria Álvarez Solis.
She is 45 years old fromMexico.
The next one is Héctor Ayuso,he's new on the community, he's
(25:27):
from Spain, Joshua Durán fromCosta Rica, he's new too.
Pablo Enrique Solís Mayorgafrom Ecuador.
Larry Ryan (25:40):
He repeats again, and he's 43 years old.
Van Sanchez (25:45):
It is, it is, it is right.
We have from Venezuela DianaCarolina Pereira, the second
woman.
She is 39 years old.
We have Carlo Mendoza fromMexico, he's young, 33 years
old, from Mexico too, RobertoDavila Orozco, 44 years old,
(26:14):
another woman, Tania MargaritaBriceño Valdivia, 35 years old,
Luis Antonio González Padilla,from Mexico too, 51 years old,
from US with but with Mexicanheart.
(26:35):
Héctor Martinez.
Um Hector is fifty-five yearsold.
We have Rafa Jaime, but he's uhhe's now he he's having
problems.
You know who is Rafa Jaime?
He's uh uh a blind athlete, andmaybe uh um he he maybe he
(27:01):
doesn't start.
Oh okay, yeah, but well RafaJaime from Mexico.
Okay, you know this man, Larry?
Larry Ryan (27:10):
Oh, I know this next one.
Van Sanchez (27:12):
Okay, and the next one is Juan Antonio Craveri from
Argentina.
Larry Ryan (27:19):
Yes, I I had the pleasure of of crewing for Juan
uh in Canada, and he was a gueston the podcast for season one,
episode five.
Um, he came on, and so I Iinvite people to go back and
listen to that one for sure.
He will be the only person, Ibelieve, to have done every
(27:42):
single Ultraman branded event.
Now with yours, and I'm surethat's why he's there, because
he was in Wales, he was inAustralia, he's been at all the
events that are even not evenexisting anymore, and he'll be
the first and only, I believe,to be doing every Ultraman
event.
Van Sanchez (28:01):
That's Ohana.
That is Ohana.
Yeah, well, well, we we arevery happy to receive Juan here
in Mexico, and the next one isEric Noel Durán from Mexico.
He's 49 years old, and with thenumber 15, we have Edson
(28:21):
Nevarez from Mexico, with thenumber 16, Isaías Mireles
Vázquez, with the number 17,Adolfo López Mercado, with the
number 18, Samuel MaturanoOrtiz, they are from Mexico,
(28:43):
with the number 19 fromColombia, Alejandro Rivas.
Larry Ryan (28:50):
And he's a he's a previous racer as well, right?
Van Sanchez (28:55):
Yes, he uh from Colombia, and the next one is
the number 20, Miguel MadridLopez.
Uh he's uh an Ultraman finishertoo, right?
From Spain, yes, uh with thenumber 21, Mateo Alba, he's from
Colombia too, is his first uhUltraman race.
(29:17):
The 22, another woman,Margarita Tascon Gonzalez from
Spain, with the number 23,Felipe Montiel Flores from
Mexico, with the number 24, TonyMarin Ramos from Spain, with
(29:39):
the number 25, Adrián ComparánCueva from Mexico, um with the
number 26, Ramiro de JesúsGutierrez Piedra, 58 years old,
the eldest competitor in thefield, is that correct?
Yes, I think so.
(30:01):
I think that you are right.
Yep.
And the last ones with thenumber 27, Jorge Adrian Pereira
Ramos from Mexico, too, with uh39 years old.
Larry Ryan (30:18):
And and Ramiro is is he still on the quest to do all
five Ultraman races thiscalendar year?
Van Sanchez (30:27):
Yes, it is.
He finished um Ultraman uhFlorida, Ultraman Florida,
Ultraman, Arizona, sorry, uhUltraman Canada.
He's he started uh the race inUltraman Mexico, and obviously
uh he will participate at theUltraman uh World Championship
this year, Larry.
(30:48):
Ramiro is you know, he doesn'thave social media, he don't use
um Facebook, no Instagram, no,no, no social media, but he's an
amazing person who people thethe people who who who knows him
(31:09):
knows that because he helpedtoo much the community behind
the scenes.
And I I don't talk about thethe the Ultraman community only,
all the community behind him,his family, his friends, uh the
people who worked with him.
He is he's an angel for forincludes for me because he was
(31:30):
my crew uh uh when when I was um19 years of age in in Wales.
Oh yeah.
But you know, we will share aphoto.
It's a burrito.
Larry Ryan (31:43):
Well, hold on.
If he's still doing theseraces, why are you not still
doing these races?
When are we gonna see you inanother race?
Van Sanchez (31:51):
Yes, maybe in the future, I don't know when.
But but but this part is hard,I think so.
You know that.
Larry Ryan (32:00):
And and are you still coaching a lot of Ultraman
athletes as well?
Are are some of them in yourrace?
Van Sanchez (32:06):
Not too much, Larry.
Only um Emma Lucy, Centeno, andRamiro and Hector now.
Okay, um the the thing is weneed uh uh uh uh a quality, you
know.
You we we obviously I want togive my my best with my time,
you know that uh Larry, and nowit's it's difficult for me.
(32:29):
Um and but well we have threeathletes from my team racing.
It's difficult because uh I'min, I'm out.
I'm in, I oh yeah.
Larry Ryan (32:44):
And and do you know um how many are planning to go
to Hawaii in November?
Van Sanchez (32:50):
Uh from from my list?
Larry Ryan (32:52):
Yeah, from your list.
If if they finish the race, howmany are are looking to go
there?
Van Sanchez (32:57):
Ramiro and maybe two or three more, but the the
problem here is the um the timebetween the the two races right
now because it's the next month,November.
Yeah, Ramiro has plans, but hehad plans uh from the uh from
the from one year ago.
Speaker 1 (33:15):
Right.
Van Sanchez (33:15):
But for for for a normal athlete, I I I don't want
to say normal, but but theythey are thinking on on the next
year, obviously.
Larry Ryan (33:25):
Okay, yeah, excellent.
Well, um, you know, I wouldlike to give you the opportunity
here to address something thatcomes up with your race from
time to time, and and and that'sthe safety aspect of of your
area.
I I know that um I saw one ofthe posts that you put up that
(33:45):
someone replied to it sayingthat you know it's not
necessarily the safest place forpeople to come and visit and do
these races.
But you've been doing this for10 years, you haven't had any
problems, you have the supportof various levels of government,
the local community, communityleaders, embrace your event.
What would you say to peoplewho are considering your race
(34:07):
but have heard that there's ahigh level of serious crime in
the area?
Van Sanchez (34:12):
Yes, give us a change, just that.
Because the people who isinvolved behind the event, the
gobernador to uh Larry, he knowsthe importance of this kind of
community races coming now.
The next week we have two sorrythree events three events here
(34:33):
in the same area.
The Pan American race, it's acar race.
I don't know if you are hereabout uh the that that car that
race, Larry.
Larry Ryan (34:42):
No, no.
Van Sanchez (34:46):
Pan American race.
It's a car race.
Larry Ryan (34:50):
Okay.
Van Sanchez (34:55):
Yes, a rally, but in on on the on the on the path,
on the on the um on the road.
Okay.
Larry Ryan (35:01):
Yeah, yeah.
Van Sanchez (35:02):
Okay, yeah.
You know who is David Gilmer?
David Shimmer?
David Gilmer from Pink Floyd.
Larry Ryan (35:08):
Oh, yeah, yeah.
David, okay, yes.
Van Sanchez (35:10):
Yes, they they many years ago they come in to ra to
to be part of the race with thecar.
But we have the next week uhtwo amazing uh events
Panamericana race across Mexicowith a car, with classic cars,
(35:31):
Mercedes, BMW, classic cars.
And we have the festival,international festival of
theater in the city with thatwith companies from Europe, with
the level of Cirdu Soleil, forexample, and obviously good
(35:54):
Canadian company there'sCircule.
Yes, but we have Cirdu Soleilhere in Riviera Maya in the
South of Mexico, obviously.
But I I just want to say giveuh a chance for Mexico, and I I
won't um say this, Larry,because it's important.
The people who comes, they willreply his experience here in in
(36:21):
Mexico, in the area, and theyvent.
It's the only way, right?
Larry Ryan (36:32):
Yeah, so I and I know people that have gone
there, Steve King, Will Rogers,you know, they've come back and
they've said that they they feltokay there, they weren't
concerned, that they felt likeyou had everything in place to
make sure everything was reallygood.
Van Sanchez (36:51):
Yes, yes, they uh well the Cheryl and David comes
here in in April and enjoy anamazing events here, cultural
events here.
Um well let's let's give us achance, just give us a chance.
I don't I don't want to saymore because you will lose all
(37:14):
the but yes, Larry, it'simportant for me, and obviously
it's my country, no yeah.
And obviously I love Mexicobecause I'm Mexican, sorry.
But well, all the all theplaces have problems, not now
here, because we're uh on on theway to to um to to to back
(37:41):
again to the to be a a safeplace.
Speaker 2 (37:45):
No, yeah.
Van Sanchez (37:45):
We are we we can talk too much about this this um
situation in Mexico and US, butnow I think it's not the most
important, Larry.
And how how we can see, and andyou will see for the next week.
(38:09):
Yeah, what really happened.
Larry Ryan (38:11):
And you know, I I I can't really have you on the
podcast without asking you alittle bit about some of the
drama that's happening withUltraman.
I know you wanted to, you saidyou want to put behind you what
happened with the thevideotaping and and the
disqualification.
Uh, but but overall, stillsince you've joined, like you
(38:34):
you announced a year ago thatyou were coming into the
Ultraman family, and during thattime, Ultraman Canada had eight
participants, and I think youtook a couple of the people
there.
Arizona had five participants,and you took a couple of the
people there.
Um, Florida saw the championDQ'd, um, not by the race
director, but by the by theboard.
(38:56):
And then the Jen McVay'slicenses were revoked during the
summer.
Um, Cheryl's trying to takeover Florida now and put it
together in just a couple ofmonths.
Um, there is a lot going on inthe Ultraman family.
Um, you might actually have thebiggest field this year of of
all the races.
I'm not sure what they'reexpecting in November.
(39:18):
Um how do you what are yourthoughts about what's been going
on and and how how do you thinkyou can get past these things
that have happened?
Van Sanchez (39:29):
Oh, yeah, yes, you have all the all the the uh you
have a part of of this story,Larry.
For me is the same.
Yeah because now I'm focusedonly on Ultraman Mexico.
No, I respect all the decisionsof the board because it's the
way it's the fort.
And obviously I have theresponsibility to support uh the
(39:54):
this kind of decisions, youknow.
Yes, because this event for forthe people who is involved on
the organization will know thedifficult to to to keep um you
know to keep rolling through theyears, no Larry.
And now my point of view isokay, we need good this episode
(40:20):
with all uh without all this uhdrama and all stuff, and let's
focus on the next year, no,because all the years goes very
fast, includes for me, for allthe people who involve on on the
Ultraman races.
But it is what it is we need touh keep moving uh forward the
(40:46):
future, no, Larry.
It's my point of view is thereason because we put too much
effort on Ultraman Mexico,right?
Because we have a big communityhere in Mexico and and South
America, Larry.
Because the world is on it'snot only um US and and you know
(41:11):
and the people who is involvedon this kind of races need need
to know that let's leave the thethe the garbage on the side and
and and and go straight for thefuture, you know, because now
we have the the the opportunityto to offer to the athletes a
(41:34):
new level of events with thesame Aloha, Ohana, and Kokua who
created this.
I am now three years old, youknow that and uh I give too much
time uh from my life on on theday by day to to create this
(42:00):
with too much love, Larry.
And offer this race for mycommunity, for the Ultraman
community, and it's the wayLarry, it's it's my point of
view.
Uh sorry if if I don't have thethe right words.
Um if you want to listen morethings or more stories uh about
these uh problems in UltramanFlorida and all these stories.
(42:25):
But now my my my my thought myyou know my point of view sorry
is is this sorry no create uh uhan amazing event here in
Mexico.
Recreate, sorry, this isrecreate because we're coming
from with we're coming here with10 years of you know uh great
(42:47):
great experiences, yeah.
Larry Ryan (42:49):
You've had you have the history, yes.
Van Sanchez (42:51):
Yeah, we have the experience.
We are no new.
That's the thing.
That's the thing, but I respectthe brand, obviously, because
we love the brand.
Ultraman changed my life andchanged the life of many people.
It doesn't matter who is stillfrom of the race, including
Sutherland, Mexico, for example.
For example, maybe the nextyear will come uh another great
(43:15):
Mexican.
I don't know, but it doesn'tmatter.
Larry Ryan (43:18):
Yeah.
Well, let me let me let me askyou, let me ask you another
question.
When I was looking through yourbooklet of your race event for
this year, the last page of yourbooklet is a photo from
Ultraman Arizona 2023.
I'm in that photo.
(43:38):
I was there crewing for ShaneDuffy.
Is this a signal that maybe youmight want to take over the
Ultraman Arizona race?
Van Sanchez (43:54):
No, no, Larry, no, no, no, obviously not, Larry.
No, because um they had work onIron Man, you know, yeah, they
have life too.
But no, no, no, no, no, no.
(44:16):
I only I I I don't have toomuch time for Mexico, but it's
thinking on true events.
No, no, no, stop joking withme, okay.
Larry Ryan (44:26):
I I I just I thought I would ask.
Van Sanchez (44:29):
I don't know, maybe I think it's a beautiful
photograph with many friends uhon the finish line.
Yeah, but well, it is, it is,and I will say um thank you for
many people who who is hearingthis photograph, Larry too, and
Armando Armelini too, he wasthere.
(44:51):
And well, let's keep um movingforward, Larry.
Larry Ryan (44:57):
Absolutely, absolutely.
Well, uh I want to thank you,Van, for coming in and listing
off your participants who willbe participating from the eight
countries that they'll beparticipating from.
A lot of Spanish-speakingcountries there, obviously,
South America, well represented,Spain, uh including the US.
(45:17):
Um, you're you're providing nowa service, I guess, to those
Spanish-speaking people thatthey can be a little more
comfortable coming to you ratherthan having to go to the
English mandatory races uhpreviously for Ultraman.
So good on you for providingthat to them.
Um, we will be looking forwardto it this weekend as the
(45:38):
podcast is dropping on aThursday.
Uh follow along on yourInstagram mainly, and uh we'll
get all the updates and and poststuff as as things are coming
out for you as well.
Van Sanchez (45:50):
Perfect, Larry.
Thanks so much.
Uh please uh keep promotingthese, no more drama, just work,
and that's all.
And that will be there.
Larry Ryan (46:01):
All right, thanks, man.
Hey, I'm Larry Ryan, and welcome to 515TheUltra
Podcast.
Just before we get startedtoday, I wanted to ask if you
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(00:21):
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(00:41):
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Thank you for listening.
And a special shout out toBrian Amend, who recently
supported the show through mysupport link.
You can find that in the shownotes where I list all of the
(01:02):
people and events discussed inthe episode.
Here is today's show.
My next guest has been on theshow at least four times.
(02:02):
In fact, his are some of themost listened to.
He holds the third and fifthmost downloaded episodes.
Welcome back to the podcast,Van Sanchez.
Hello, Van.
Van Sanchez (02:14):
Hello, Larry.
It's a pleasure to be hereagain.
unknown (02:18):
Yeah.
Larry Ryan (02:19):
One year.
Welcome back.
Welcome back here.
Regular listeners, you willknow that uh Van still holds the
record as the youngest personat 19 years of age to complete a
515 distance race when hecompleted that at the Ultraman
Wales.
Uh, how long has it been sinceyou've finished Ultraman Wales,
(02:40):
Van?
Van Sanchez (02:41):
10 years ago.
Larry Ryan (02:43):
10 years ago.
How long does it feel like?
Van Sanchez (02:47):
Uh well, now now I am 30 exactly, Larry.
This year um 31.
I'm older, but it's part of thelife.
But keep enjoying this Ultramanlife.
And you know, we have many newsfor all the community.
We have many things to sharewith all the people who who
(03:08):
listen you.
Larry Ryan (03:09):
Yeah, yeah, that's great.
Yeah, and we wanted to have youback on again to talk about
your race.
Obviously, when you competed atthe Ultraman in Wales, you you
came back with a fire to tospread the the 515 Aloha, Ohana,
and Kakua, and you started upyour own race, which you have
(03:30):
successfully run in in yourhometown there of Zacatecas, uh,
Mexico.
I hope I'm saying that right.
I've been working on it foryears.
Uh and and you've done that for10 years now.
Van Sanchez (03:43):
Yes, yes.
10 years now, here inZacatecas.
And and you say that, Larry.
The thing is for me, I bornhere.
All the people who is aroundthe the now Ultraman Mexico,
they they are completely happyto help and support the race,
and that's very important forall the community.
(04:04):
And you you hear now manystories from from the people who
who joined us years ago aboutUltraMex 515, or yeah.
And now we are ready to sharethe this new adventure, Ultramon
Mexico, in a few days.
Larry Ryan (04:23):
Yeah, so you you you've had you've had a very
popular brand.
I'm I'm repping your your merchhere from the Ultra MX series,
the the MX515.
Um, but you've decided to goand join in with the official
Ultraman brand.
What what was it that made youthink that you wanted to make
that jump over to be part of thethe official Ultraman family?
Van Sanchez (04:47):
But well, Larry, you know all the story, but was
and is still a challenge for forall the the Ultraman Mexico
crew, all the stuff, because weneed an upgrade for the Ultraman
race.
No, we are completely sure wewe because we we we want shared
(05:11):
to all the community a newUltraman event here in Mexico,
obviously, and a new level ofquality of this kind of races.
Now we are supporting byBrooks, and you know the brand,
the shoe brand, and we have allthe support behind of years of
(05:32):
years of work with uh sponsors.
That's important, and I I wantthis space to say thank you.
And all the people who isbehind the race, no, include my
family, friends, and thecommunity, athletes, uh,
obviously uh uh Cheryl, Davidwho who support me too much on
(05:53):
this adventure, and I'm veryhappy to to start with this.
The the all the year, Larrygoes very fast for me,
completely fast.
Yeah, well and now we are here.
Larry Ryan (06:08):
Yeah, you're you're here now with the with the
Ultraman Mexico, and and I did Isee do you have a truck sponsor
as well?
Is that one of your sponsors?
Van Sanchez (06:17):
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
It's a Chinese company, BYD.
Yeah, yes, and you you you yousee you will see the all the
information uh on the web page,obviously, and and Instagram,
yeah.
And we try to include somebrands who help us to share the
Ohana, uh, with obviously herein Mexico and obviously uh in in
(06:40):
US and and other countries.
Larry Ryan (06:43):
Yeah, no, it it's I've I've loved your marketing.
I I saw your poster that youput out online that looked like
so professional and fantastic.
I've seen your your bookletthat you're gonna be giving out
to the athletes, everythinglooks great.
Um, you're definitely taking itto the next level when it comes
to that stuff.
Van Sanchez (07:02):
Yes, thank you, Larry.
You know, you know, all thework uh behind of these kind of
races because we are completelyfull of passion about ultraman.
And it's all it's only notabout talk about ultraman and I
am a finisher and blah blahblah.
No, yeah.
I I think this is part of mylife, it's part of your life
(07:24):
too.
And we want to share that forall the new community who is now
involving on the on this kindof race, no.
And you say that we're tryingto to to be more professional
with all the uh uh with with howlooks the race is the is the
thing, no, Larry.
And we try that and we do it.
(07:45):
It's uh it's the thing.
Um I need to say again, thankyou for all for all the people
who um is involved on the racenow, Larry.
I I won't say thank you one byone to all the the sorry to all
the Ultraman and Mexico sponsorsbecause it's it's too much
(08:05):
important for us, Larry.
And I want use your space totalk about one one by one uh the
sponsorships.
If you if you help me, it willbe amazing.
Larry Ryan (08:16):
Okay, absolutely.
Yeah, let's let's shout out thesponsors.
Van Sanchez (08:19):
Yes, well, you have all the the the photographs on
Instagram and all the socialmedia, but I I won't say thank
you to Fresnillo.
Is the the is the biggest minecompany in uh silver company in
the world, you know that Larry.
Yeah, Baslo Autoparts who helpus too much.
(08:42):
Zacatecas, the government, thegovernment, so important here in
Mexico to include thegovernment on these kind of
projects, Larry.
Yeah, and you will see all thesupport behind us in the next
days.
Winston Constructions, whohelped us with uh with the
trucks, with the cars for thestuff.
(09:05):
Goodur, you know the brand, thesunglasses, yes, Ciele from
Canada, the hats, oh yeah, Brucerunning, obviously the the
number one brand in US.
Wifar with the nutrition, andBYD with the uh uh official
(09:33):
truck for the race.
We try to include many brandson this project who help us to
create this event, Larry.
And it's the thing.
Thanks so much, Larry.
Larry Ryan (09:46):
Yeah, absolutely.
And and I know how importantthe sponsors are to making the
race successful, to making itprofitable so that you're not
running a deficit when you'retrying to put these events on
for the athletes.
Um you generally need to have apretty big field of people just
to stay afloat, which you havealways had.
(10:07):
You've always had great successin bringing in people to come
to your races and and knowdifferent this year.
Um, why don't we get intotalking about maybe what the
course is going to look likethis year and then talk about
some of those people that arecoming to the race?
Because this is a uh UltramanMexico preview episode.
So um starting with the course,I know you've had some
(10:28):
different courses over the 10years where sometimes you've
gone to a lake swim, sometimesyou've gone to the um pool swim.
Um, I believe this year, fromwhat I saw in your booklet,
you're going back to a lakeswim.
Maybe you can tell us aboutwhere that's happening and and
what the water temperatures are,what they might expect, how
many loops of the course, um,what's going on with the swim
(10:50):
and the day one bike ride.
Van Sanchez (10:52):
Yes, for sure, Larry.
Uh as you can can see, we wemove the race for the capital,
the main city, Zacatecas.
Exactly.
If you are if you use Google,you will see the the the city is
beautiful, and you will checkall the architecture and all the
(11:13):
the the culture inside thecity.
And for the swim, we back againto the obviously to the to to
the open water swim course.
We use a swim course of 10loops, one kilometer per loop
for 10 kilometer swim.
And all the the day one courseis a challenge because we are an
(11:37):
altitude of 2500 meters abovethe sea.
That's important, yeah not allthe time, but uh you know we
start at two two two thousandtwo hundred and the race finish
at two thousand five hundredmeters above the sea.
Larry Ryan (11:59):
That's good, good elevation.
Van Sanchez (12:01):
Yes, if you're coming from the from the sea
level, you you need time toacclimate it with the with the
with with this course, right?
Well, the up the on now theweather is is good, it's like in
in in degrees now we are at23-25 degrees, perfect
(12:22):
conditions, not too cold, nottoo hot.
Right, it's perfect.
And now the conditions here inMexico, all the year uh help us
with too much rain.
That's important.
We have uh a very nice greenfields on the mountains, and you
know, when the rain comes, thethe the the life starts again,
(12:43):
and you know all the the all allthe the grass the the trees all
change completely.
And for the um day three Larry,we use the same course at Ultra
MX um Pan Y5.
Yeah, yeah, it's it's the same,but in another direction
(13:04):
because we're coming fromanother city, okay.
Okay, yeah, and we finish withthe same hilly section.
Larry Ryan (13:14):
Yeah, you got a big uphill at the end, right?
Van Sanchez (13:16):
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah, you you will you will youwill help me if you share the
the profile the next day perfectLarry, thanks so much.
But well, the thing is it's thecrown, no this hilly section,
and you know we we finish withuh seven kilometers of downhill
(13:38):
to the finish line, yeah, thisyear, and will be very
challenging because you need uhuh uh extra effort to be there
up the hill and then uh keep theenergy to to to the downhill,
no?
Yeah, yes, and for the runcourse we we try to to create a
(14:01):
a nice uh run course for for theathletes, and we use the same
format one marathon go and onemarathon back, right?
Yeah, yeah, uh and we add forthe wrong course Larry and
unnecessary heal again.
Larry Ryan (14:25):
You can't steal that from Arizona, yes, yes, yes.
Van Sanchez (14:30):
We take that from from uh from Arizona, the last
seven kilometers, the last sevenkilometers uphill um near La
Bufa.
No, it's a mountain near LaBufa.
Okay, it's not hilly than LaBufa, but it's close to that
mountain, okay.
And it's the same one kilometerdownhill to the finish line,
(14:52):
and it will be an amazing partythere.
You will see on social media,yeah.
Larry Ryan (14:58):
Um, and and what will be the best way for people
to follow your race?
We should talk about when therace is coming.
Um, this episode is going to bereleased a day early because
normally I release on a Friday.
I'm gonna release on a Thursdayto give people a chance.
Um, the dates are October the17th to 19th.
17th to 19th.
(15:20):
Okay.
And what will be the best wayfor people to follow along with
the race?
Van Sanchez (15:25):
Uh obviously the the the the main one is
Instagram and obviously Facebooktoo.
We use you we use um both uhplatforms to share all the
information and obviously theweb page, but the the live
coverage is totally on onInstagram histories, is the best
(15:48):
way.
Larry Ryan (15:48):
Okay, yeah.
You know, some races areactually starting to live stream
their entire event now.
Van Sanchez (15:54):
Yes, I know that.
I know that, but Larry, I Ineed to say sorry, sorry, I'm so
sorry, because now uh the thethe work and and my life is like
you know, I'm sure easy.
Yes, I'm happy with the event,obviously, but ultraman is one
part, um my family is one part,but well let's let's try it.
(16:21):
Let's let's try uh uh let's tryto organize uh the live
coverage for the next year.
And I need to use this space toto to say you are doing an
amazing job uh with this, Larry,because you're keeping
promoting the the Ultraman OHana with this kind of
professional and hard this thiskind of hard work because I I
(16:47):
know I know what what what isthe the the difficult to
organize a a lives uh a livesession through 12 hours, three
days.
Larry Ryan (16:59):
Yeah, yeah.
Well, we can talk about thatfor uh once you get through this
first one.
Van Sanchez (17:05):
Yes, yes, for sure.
But uh I I will share you allthe um the the results day by
day, excellent.
And you will share with withthe uh with your community, um,
and we'll be awesome if you helpus with that.
Because uh I we are um veryhappy to put all the the photos,
(17:27):
all the videos, all the reels,all the results on Instagram
stories because now you know allthis around social media,
right?
So somebody can hate that, butnot all the people.
And it's it's if you use thesocial media right, you will
have a good um, you know,promotion.
Larry Ryan (17:51):
It's a great promotion.
Van Sanchez (17:53):
It is, it is.
Obviously, all the promotion isimportant.
Print uh uh, you know, print afire is important, all is
important, but now the communityand now the the the triathlon
um community, the runningcommunity, all these um, you
know, all this kind of bow modais the is the is the word.
(18:18):
Um but now it's trending now.
Now it's trending, running istrending, triathlon is trending,
and where is that on socialmedia, and we understand that,
uh Larry.
Yeah, and obviously we need uhuse the social media to keep
promoting these um uh amazingand you know uh these amazing
(18:42):
and lovely uh events now.
Larry Ryan (18:45):
Yeah.
Well, well, let me ask youthen.
Um obviously there was uh alittle bit of controversy out of
Ultraman Florida this year whenum Stephen Keller got
disqualified after hischampionship three weeks later
for using a camera on his bike.
Um is that something that theOhana Loa board has now
(19:08):
re-examined, or is that rulestill in place where even if
it's a voice-activated camera,no cameras on the bike?
Van Sanchez (19:16):
No, no cameras on the bike is totally I I I it's
my posture too, because the thefirst thing for all the races
and will be the the the posturefor all the athletes is the
security, no Larry.
And the rules are rules forthat.
And I think the the the athletewho wants shared will share on
(19:39):
different uh with different umtools his race.
No, yeah, was an episode.
I think we need to close thatas uh as um as a board, I think
so, and keep running uh thiswith a new level, as as I say,
Larry.
(20:00):
And I think it was an episode,and and we need to finish with
that and keep going with thefuture of this.
Larry Ryan (20:09):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I understand.
Um, can I ask you with youcoming in as a first-year race?
Are are you on a one-yearcontract right now to see how it
goes, or do you have amulti-year contract with Ohana
Loa?
How has that worked out in yourcase?
Van Sanchez (20:26):
It is we have one one year to for a trial,
obviously.
And obviously, we won'tcontinue with with this if we
have the opportunity, Larry.
Yeah, um, you know, I'm heresince 10 years ago.
11, 10, 11.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
Yeah.
Van Sanchez (20:46):
But uh I I just won I I just want to uh say uh
thank to thanks to Cheryl,thanks to Dave, thanks to Gene,
to Jane because they support mewith this project and they trust
in Mexico for this newadventure, you know.
(21:07):
Right.
Because uh I don't know, but ifyou if you are from Canada and
we have many people different inanother country who who want
participate in in Ultraman, butthey don't speak English, for
example.
This year we have four crews,four athletes from Spain.
(21:33):
That's amazing.
And we have many people fromSouth America, they helped, they
they they are very happy tostay here too, and they are part
of the community.
But this it's it's you know,Larry, it's difficult to share
the Ohana through the countries,but now we have the opportunity
(21:55):
to keep um keep building thisamazing experience uh in Mexico,
Larry, and I'm very happy to tostart with this year.
Obviously, all all my team andand me, obviously, we want
Ultraman Mexico for for things Iuse, no, but who knows?
(22:19):
Who knows, Larry?
Now I have the opportunity, Ihave the the um I'm strong now,
I have the possibilities, I haveuh time to organize this as as
I want.
And I think it's my it's myfeeling now, Larry, with with um
with this year.
(22:40):
And obviously, I hope we'll seeyou again with Ultraman Mexico
uh on 2026.
Larry Ryan (22:48):
Yeah.
And and can I ask, are youstill doing the non-stop event
as well?
Or have you put that aside inorder to focus everything on
this Ultraman event?
Van Sanchez (22:59):
We organized the non-stop uh in in May, a few
months ago.
But for the next year, I thinkit's impossible to keep thinking
on the non-stop now becauseUltraman um you know absorbs too
much from time from me and thejob and all the stuff.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
But yeah, who knows?
Van Sanchez (23:18):
Who knows?
Because it it depends on theathletes, not me, not me.
But you know, if Ultraman isdifficult, the the same
distance, non-stop, 36 hoursnon-stop, it's more difficult to
get athletes, no.
But the the plan is not fornow, not for 2026.
(23:42):
Um let's let's wait.
No, we need to wait for for forthe future, Larry.
Okay, yeah.
Larry Ryan (23:50):
Well, I think we got a little good setup there in
the background and and youcoming into the Ultraman family,
uh, coming back to the Ultramanfamily, I guess it is.
You were there in Wales.
Um, maybe let's start talkingabout your athletes that are
coming this year, then.
Um maybe Yeah, for sure.
Well, we we can go throughthem.
Normally we go through themkind of in age groups, but uh I
(24:12):
I believe today you're moreinterested in going through them
in their uh presentation order,that you'll be seeing them.
Is that correct?
Is that how you want to dothis?
Van Sanchez (24:21):
Yes, we'll be more easier for me.
Larry Ryan (24:24):
Um but maybe let's start with how many how many
men, how many women, um, and howmany countries are going to be
represented at the race thisyear?
Van Sanchez (24:33):
Yeah, the year we have uh athletes from that's
very important, but we have uhtwo athletes from US, we have
Mexico, we have Spain, we haveCosta Rica, we have Venezuela,
we have uh Ecuador, we haveArgentina, um Colombia.
Uh I think that's all yes, yes.
(25:02):
Uh well on the list we haveLucas Cruz from US.
He's uh 32 years old.
We have um with the number two,Maria Álvarez Solis.
She is 45 years old fromMexico.
The next one is Héctor Ayuso,he's new on the community, he's
(25:27):
from Spain, Joshua Durán fromCosta Rica, he's new too.
Pablo Enrique Solís Mayorgafrom Ecuador.
Larry Ryan (25:40):
He repeats again, and he's 43 years old.
Van Sanchez (25:45):
It is, it is, it is right.
We have from Venezuela DianaCarolina Pereira, the second
woman.
She is 39 years old.
We have Carlo Mendoza fromMexico, he's young, 33 years
old, from Mexico too, RobertoDavila Orozco, 44 years old,
(26:14):
another woman, Tania MargaritaBriceño Valdivia, 35 years old,
Luis Antonio González Padilla,from Mexico too, 51 years old,
from US with but with Mexicanheart.
(26:35):
Héctor Martinez.
Um Hector is fifty-five yearsold.
We have Rafa Jaime, but he's uhhe's now he he's having
problems.
You know who is Rafa Jaime?
He's uh uh a blind athlete, andmaybe uh um he he maybe he
(27:01):
doesn't start.
Oh okay, yeah, but well RafaJaime from Mexico.
Okay, you know this man, Larry?
Larry Ryan (27:10):
Oh, I know this next one.
Van Sanchez (27:12):
Okay, and the next one is Juan Antonio Craveri from
Argentina.
Larry Ryan (27:19):
Yes, I I had the pleasure of of crewing for Juan
uh in Canada, and he was a gueston the podcast for season one,
episode five.
Um, he came on, and so I Iinvite people to go back and
listen to that one for sure.
He will be the only person, Ibelieve, to have done every
(27:42):
single Ultraman branded event.
Now with yours, and I'm surethat's why he's there, because
he was in Wales, he was inAustralia, he's been at all the
events that are even not evenexisting anymore, and he'll be
the first and only, I believe,to be doing every Ultraman
event.
Van Sanchez (28:01):
That's Ohana.
That is Ohana.
Yeah, well, well, we we arevery happy to receive Juan here
in Mexico, and the next one isEric Noel Durán from Mexico.
He's 49 years old, and with thenumber 15, we have Edson
(28:21):
Nevarez from Mexico, with thenumber 16, Isaías Mireles
Vázquez, with the number 17,Adolfo López Mercado, with the
number 18, Samuel MaturanoOrtiz, they are from Mexico,
(28:43):
with the number 19 fromColombia, Alejandro Rivas.
Larry Ryan (28:50):
And he's a he's a previous racer as well, right?
Van Sanchez (28:55):
Yes, he uh from Colombia, and the next one is
the number 20, Miguel MadridLopez.
Uh he's uh an Ultraman finishertoo, right?
From Spain, yes, uh with thenumber 21, Mateo Alba, he's from
Colombia too, is his first uhUltraman race.
(29:17):
The 22, another woman,Margarita Tascon Gonzalez from
Spain, with the number 23,Felipe Montiel Flores from
Mexico, with the number 24, TonyMarin Ramos from Spain, with
(29:39):
the number 25, Adrián ComparánCueva from Mexico, um with the
number 26, Ramiro de JesúsGutierrez Piedra, 58 years old,
the eldest competitor in thefield, is that correct?
Yes, I think so.
(30:01):
I think that you are right.
Yep.
And the last ones with thenumber 27, Jorge Adrian Pereira
Ramos from Mexico, too, with uh39 years old.
Larry Ryan (30:18):
And and Ramiro is is he still on the quest to do all
five Ultraman races thiscalendar year?
Van Sanchez (30:27):
Yes, it is.
He finished um Ultraman uhFlorida, Ultraman Florida,
Ultraman, Arizona, sorry, uhUltraman Canada.
He's he started uh the race inUltraman Mexico, and obviously
uh he will participate at theUltraman uh World Championship
this year, Larry.
(30:48):
Ramiro is you know, he doesn'thave social media, he don't use
um Facebook, no Instagram, no,no, no social media, but he's an
amazing person who people thethe people who who who knows him
(31:09):
knows that because he helpedtoo much the community behind
the scenes.
And I I don't talk about thethe the Ultraman community only,
all the community behind him,his family, his friends, uh the
people who worked with him.
He is he's an angel for forincludes for me because he was
(31:30):
my crew uh uh when when I was um19 years of age in in Wales.
Oh yeah.
But you know, we will share aphoto.
It's a burrito.
Larry Ryan (31:43):
Well, hold on.
If he's still doing theseraces, why are you not still
doing these races?
When are we gonna see you inanother race?
Van Sanchez (31:51):
Yes, maybe in the future, I don't know when.
But but but this part is hard,I think so.
You know that.
Larry Ryan (32:00):
And and are you still coaching a lot of Ultraman
athletes as well?
Are are some of them in yourrace?
Van Sanchez (32:06):
Not too much, Larry.
Only um Emma Lucy, Centeno, andRamiro and Hector now.
Okay, um the the thing is weneed uh uh uh uh a quality, you
know.
You we we obviously I want togive my my best with my time,
you know that uh Larry, and nowit's it's difficult for me.
(32:29):
Um and but well we have threeathletes from my team racing.
It's difficult because uh I'min, I'm out.
I'm in, I oh yeah.
Larry Ryan (32:44):
And and do you know um how many are planning to go
to Hawaii in November?
Van Sanchez (32:50):
Uh from from my list?
Larry Ryan (32:52):
Yeah, from your list.
If if they finish the race, howmany are are looking to go
there?
Van Sanchez (32:57):
Ramiro and maybe two or three more, but the the
problem here is the um the timebetween the the two races right
now because it's the next month,November.
Yeah, Ramiro has plans, but hehad plans uh from the uh from
the from one year ago.
Speaker 1 (33:15):
Right.
Van Sanchez (33:15):
But for for for a normal athlete, I I I don't want
to say normal, but but theythey are thinking on on the next
year, obviously.
Larry Ryan (33:25):
Okay, yeah, excellent.
Well, um, you know, I wouldlike to give you the opportunity
here to address something thatcomes up with your race from
time to time, and and and that'sthe safety aspect of of your
area.
I I know that um I saw one ofthe posts that you put up that
(33:45):
someone replied to it sayingthat you know it's not
necessarily the safest place forpeople to come and visit and do
these races.
But you've been doing this for10 years, you haven't had any
problems, you have the supportof various levels of government,
the local community, communityleaders, embrace your event.
What would you say to peoplewho are considering your race
(34:07):
but have heard that there's ahigh level of serious crime in
the area?
Van Sanchez (34:12):
Yes, give us a change, just that.
Because the people who isinvolved behind the event, the
gobernador to uh Larry, he knowsthe importance of this kind of
community races coming now.
The next week we have two sorrythree events three events here
(34:33):
in the same area.
The Pan American race, it's acar race.
I don't know if you are hereabout uh the that that car that
race, Larry.
Larry Ryan (34:42):
No, no.
Van Sanchez (34:46):
Pan American race.
It's a car race.
Larry Ryan (34:50):
Okay.
Van Sanchez (34:55):
Yes, a rally, but in on on the on the on the path,
on the on the um on the road.
Okay.
Larry Ryan (35:01):
Yeah, yeah.
Van Sanchez (35:02):
Okay, yeah.
You know who is David Gilmer?
David Shimmer?
David Gilmer from Pink Floyd.
Larry Ryan (35:08):
Oh, yeah, yeah.
David, okay, yes.
Van Sanchez (35:10):
Yes, they they many years ago they come in to ra to
to be part of the race with thecar.
But we have the next week uhtwo amazing uh events
Panamericana race across Mexicowith a car, with classic cars,
(35:31):
Mercedes, BMW, classic cars.
And we have the festival,international festival of
theater in the city with thatwith companies from Europe, with
the level of Cirdu Soleil, forexample, and obviously good
(35:54):
Canadian company there'sCircule.
Yes, but we have Cirdu Soleilhere in Riviera Maya in the
South of Mexico, obviously.
But I I just want to say giveuh a chance for Mexico, and I I
won't um say this, Larry,because it's important.
The people who comes, they willreply his experience here in in
(36:21):
Mexico, in the area, and theyvent.
It's the only way, right?
Larry Ryan (36:32):
Yeah, so I and I know people that have gone
there, Steve King, Will Rogers,you know, they've come back and
they've said that they they feltokay there, they weren't
concerned, that they felt likeyou had everything in place to
make sure everything was reallygood.
Van Sanchez (36:51):
Yes, yes, they uh well the Cheryl and David comes
here in in April and enjoy anamazing events here, cultural
events here.
Um well let's let's give us achance, just give us a chance.
I don't I don't want to saymore because you will lose all
(37:14):
the but yes, Larry, it'simportant for me, and obviously
it's my country, no yeah.
And obviously I love Mexicobecause I'm Mexican, sorry.
But well, all the all theplaces have problems, not now
here, because we're uh on on theway to to um to to to back
(37:41):
again to the to be a a safeplace.
Speaker 2 (37:45):
No, yeah.
Van Sanchez (37:45):
We are we we can talk too much about this this um
situation in Mexico and US, butnow I think it's not the most
important, Larry.
And how how we can see, and andyou will see for the next week.
(38:09):
Yeah, what really happened.
Larry Ryan (38:11):
And you know, I I I can't really have you on the
podcast without asking you alittle bit about some of the
drama that's happening withUltraman.
I know you wanted to, you saidyou want to put behind you what
happened with the thevideotaping and and the
disqualification.
Uh, but but overall, stillsince you've joined, like you
(38:34):
you announced a year ago thatyou were coming into the
Ultraman family, and during thattime, Ultraman Canada had eight
participants, and I think youtook a couple of the people
there.
Arizona had five participants,and you took a couple of the
people there.
Um, Florida saw the championDQ'd, um, not by the race
director, but by the by theboard.
(38:56):
And then the Jen McVay'slicenses were revoked during the
summer.
Um, Cheryl's trying to takeover Florida now and put it
together in just a couple ofmonths.
Um, there is a lot going on inthe Ultraman family.
Um, you might actually have thebiggest field this year of of
all the races.
I'm not sure what they'reexpecting in November.
(39:18):
Um how do you what are yourthoughts about what's been going
on and and how how do you thinkyou can get past these things
that have happened?
Van Sanchez (39:29):
Oh, yeah, yes, you have all the all the the uh you
have a part of of this story,Larry.
For me is the same.
Yeah because now I'm focusedonly on Ultraman Mexico.
No, I respect all the decisionsof the board because it's the
way it's the fort.
And obviously I have theresponsibility to support uh the
(39:54):
this kind of decisions, youknow.
Yes, because this event for forthe people who is involved on
the organization will know thedifficult to to to keep um you
know to keep rolling through theyears, no Larry.
And now my point of view isokay, we need good this episode
(40:20):
with all uh without all this uhdrama and all stuff, and let's
focus on the next year, no,because all the years goes very
fast, includes for me, for allthe people who involve on on the
Ultraman races.
But it is what it is we need touh keep moving uh forward the
(40:46):
future, no, Larry.
It's my point of view is thereason because we put too much
effort on Ultraman Mexico,right?
Because we have a big communityhere in Mexico and and South
America, Larry.
Because the world is on it'snot only um US and and you know
(41:11):
and the people who is involvedon this kind of races need need
to know that let's leave the thethe the garbage on the side and
and and and go straight for thefuture, you know, because now
we have the the the opportunityto to offer to the athletes a
(41:34):
new level of events with thesame Aloha, Ohana, and Kokua who
created this.
I am now three years old, youknow that and uh I give too much
time uh from my life on on theday by day to to create this
(42:00):
with too much love, Larry.
And offer this race for mycommunity, for the Ultraman
community, and it's the wayLarry, it's it's my point of
view.
Uh sorry if if I don't have thethe right words.
Um if you want to listen morethings or more stories uh about
these uh problems in UltramanFlorida and all these stories.
(42:25):
But now my my my my thought myyou know my point of view sorry
is is this sorry no create uh uhan amazing event here in
Mexico.
Recreate, sorry, this isrecreate because we're coming
from with we're coming here with10 years of you know uh great
(42:47):
great experiences, yeah.
Larry Ryan (42:49):
You've had you have the history, yes.
Van Sanchez (42:51):
Yeah, we have the experience.
We are no new.
That's the thing.
That's the thing, but I respectthe brand, obviously, because
we love the brand.
Ultraman changed my life andchanged the life of many people.
It doesn't matter who is stillfrom of the race, including
Sutherland, Mexico, for example.
For example, maybe the nextyear will come uh another great
(43:15):
Mexican.
I don't know, but it doesn'tmatter.
Larry Ryan (43:18):
Yeah.
Well, let me let me let me askyou, let me ask you another
question.
When I was looking through yourbooklet of your race event for
this year, the last page of yourbooklet is a photo from
Ultraman Arizona 2023.
I'm in that photo.
(43:38):
I was there crewing for ShaneDuffy.
Is this a signal that maybe youmight want to take over the
Ultraman Arizona race?
Van Sanchez (43:54):
No, no, Larry, no, no, no, obviously not, Larry.
No, because um they had work onIron Man, you know, yeah, they
have life too.
But no, no, no, no, no, no.
(44:16):
I only I I I don't have toomuch time for Mexico, but it's
thinking on true events.
No, no, no, stop joking withme, okay.
Larry Ryan (44:26):
I I I just I thought I would ask.
Van Sanchez (44:29):
I don't know, maybe I think it's a beautiful
photograph with many friends uhon the finish line.
Yeah, but well, it is, it is,and I will say um thank you for
many people who who is hearingthis photograph, Larry too, and
Armando Armelini too, he wasthere.
(44:51):
And well, let's keep um movingforward, Larry.
Larry Ryan (44:57):
Absolutely, absolutely.
Well, uh I want to thank you,Van, for coming in and listing
off your participants who willbe participating from the eight
countries that they'll beparticipating from.
A lot of Spanish-speakingcountries there, obviously,
South America, well represented,Spain, uh including the US.
(45:17):
Um, you're you're providing nowa service, I guess, to those
Spanish-speaking people thatthey can be a little more
comfortable coming to you ratherthan having to go to the
English mandatory races uhpreviously for Ultraman.
So good on you for providingthat to them.
Um, we will be looking forwardto it this weekend as the
(45:38):
podcast is dropping on aThursday.
Uh follow along on yourInstagram mainly, and uh we'll
get all the updates and and poststuff as as things are coming
out for you as well.
Van Sanchez (45:50):
Perfect, Larry.
Thanks so much.
Uh please uh keep promotingthese, no more drama, just work,
and that's all.
And that will be there.
Larry Ryan (46:01):
All right, thanks, man.
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