Daughter of the Light-Footed People: The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion Lorena Ramírez

by Belen T.G. Medina, Natalia Rojas Castro (Illustrator)

Meet Lorena Ramírez, an Indigenous Rarámuri athlete from Mexico who is internationally known for winning ultramarathons in her traditional skirts and rubber sandals, in this nonfiction picture book.

From the copper canyons of Mexico, her swift footsteps echo. Clip clap, clip clap.

Experience a sixty-mile run with Indigenous athlete Lorena Ramírez. She runs in the traditional clothes of the Rarámuri, “the light-footed people,” to show that her people and their way of life are alive and thriving—outpacing runners in modern, high-tech gear and capturing the world’s attention. Lorena’s career as an athlete is an inspiring real-life example of the power of perseverance that will encourage young readers to follow their own dreams.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Sports, Childrens, Indigenous, Native American

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 11, 2024

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lorena Ramírez (an Indigenous Rarámuri athlete from Mexico) participates in ultramarathons in traditional skirt and rubber sandals in recognition of her ancestral heritage. The Rarámuri (‘the light-footed people’) have a long tradition of running in very inhospitable areas; their endurance and perseverance acknowledged and documented. Wonderful tale of an indigenous woman winning on her own terms!

[Janet Bruins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A celebration of strength and perseverance, honoring where we come from and the challenges we overcome—joyfully illustrated with heart and color.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lorena Ramírez runs marathons to help support her family. She belongs to an indigenous group in Mexico, the Raramuri (or “light-footed people”). They farm and herd, and live in a canyon far away from other cities and other people.

This beautifully illustrated picture book biography shows how Lorena’s life help prepare her for these marathons. She is strong from farming and herding, and has to walk or run for hours to reach places where she can buy food and supplies. She also eschews high tech running gear and runs in traditional sandals and skirts, which is pretty badass.

Backmatter includes several paragraphs about Lorena and the Raramuri and additional sources. Good for lower elementary. 32 pages.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a tribe in Mexico - the Rarámuri - and they run. Everywhere. Miles and miles, they run to get all of their work done. They run after their animals. They run when they play games. They run to visit other people and to do their errands. They are known for being endurance runners. And sometimes they run to make money. This is the story of Indigenous Marathon Champion Lorena Ramírez. She is a member of the Rarámuri of Chihuaha, Mexico. Since Lorena is such a good runner, she participates in marathons. But she doesn't wear fancy running shoes or clothes. She wears huaraches made from rubber tires and a brightly colored skirt - traditional clothes of the Raràmuris. She is very proud of her heritage; running marathons (and winning!) helps her support her family. She has been featured in newspapers and running publications all over the world for her speed. And her unique running attire also creates interest!

Lyrically written, this story combines illustrations of Lorena running at home through the canyons as well as running in professional races all over the world. Read books and learn new things!

If you are a runner, this is a great book to read for encouragement. And if you are someone struggling with endurance or a specific task, this book offers hope and inspiration. Because Lorena's willingness to dig down deep and finish the race is very motivating!

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book biography of María Lorena Ramírez, an ultramarathon runner from the Rarámuri ethnic group in Chihuahua, Mexico. The Rarámuri are known for being skilled endurance runners, having built their strength and stamina through a lifestyle that includes walking long distances to buy food and supplies, herding animals, and playing running games. Because Rarámurians live in a remote region of northwest Mexico and farming alone is insufficient to support a living, many Rarámurians supplement their income through competitive running. Lorena is famous not only for her running ability, which has earned her top prizes in races, but also for her devotion to running in the traditional attire of her people (a colorful skirt and sandals made from rubber tires).

While I found Lorena's story very inspiring, I found the backmatter to be a bit lacking. A map and photographs would have really helped contextualize this story for young readers.

[Mariana Ríos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an interesting, powerful, and inspiring book! I enjoyed learning about Lorena Ramírez's story and her amazing achievements. I particularly liked that this tale is about a remarkable Mexican woman who challenged the conceptions of how marathoners should be, and that it also highlights the Rarámuri indigenous people.

From the beginning, the story grabbed my attention. The text flows effortlessly from page to page, and the illustrations are gorgeous and filled with color and beautiful details. Regarding back matter, there's an author's note at the end, as well as more suggested sources to learn more about Lorena and the Rarámuri runners.

This is definitely a book I recommend for homes, libraries, and schools.

[Sue H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of Indigenous ultramarathon champion Lorena Ramirez. She belongs to the Raramuri people of Chihuahua, Mexico.
In this story, we follow her on a race in her huaraches cut from rubber tires and a colorful skirt sewn by her mother. As she runs the 60-mile race, we learn about her family, her people, her culture and how all of this leads to her amazing ability and training.
The illustrations are lovely - very colorful and full of movement.
The note in the end of the book with more information about Lorena and her life. The book will definitely be interesting for kids (and adults) whether or not they have an interest in running. Learning about someone who has run over 60 miles without any fancy gear is quite impressive!

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. I love hearing about Lorena Ramirez online whenever a video pops up so I'm so happy to stumble upon this children's book! My grandfather was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and as a Mexican American I just love seeing the beautiful dresses and huaraches in this book being celebrated. I think it'd be perfect for a read aloud, especially because of the cute moments of onomatopoeia throughout. The illustrations are beautiful, the writing flows nicely, love how there was an emphasis of connecting to earth and the celebration of her indigenous practices. Really great read.

"The people wearing them are always running behind me." Still a casual slay.

Read this for my library school program for a class thats requiring I read 50 picture books of varying types.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

A beautifully illustrated biography of Lorena Ramírez, a Rarámuri ultramarathon runner. Through lyrical text, the story follows her on a sixty-mile run, providing information about her attire, her childhood, and her way of life in Chihuahua, Mexico.

The illustrations are lovely. Beautiful use of color. All of the landscapes are especially stunning.

At the back is more detailed information about Ramírez's life, family, and the Rarámuri people.

Wonderfully written, engaging, and with an emphasis on the importance of cultural heritage and perseverance. A beautiful book.

[Sarah Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 2025 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award® Recommended Book about an Indigenous ultramarathon runner. It’s a slightly different type of nonfiction picturebook since most of the facts you learn in this biography are in the notes at the end. But the pictures are dynamic and propulsive. The colors and scenes depicted are rich and complex. Readers get the sense of running through the book, from page to page. I would have liked a bit more content in the story itself, but this would be a fun book to read out loud to kids, or for a more experienced reader to enjoy.

[Rinku · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is inspiring. I can't come close to running a mile but Lorena Ramirez ran her heart out in regular clothes and shoes. I loved the illustrations and the message of the value of indigenous communities and what a support they can be to in an out of their society.

This book won the Washington State Book Award in the Picture Books category. I recommend this book to any family who wants to share an inspirational life story with their kids. I hope Belen gifts us with more of her books.

[Connie T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in the canyons of Mexico, Lorena runs to buy food and fetch water. She runs up mountains and down ravines. She runs and she runs until she crosses the finish line. She is the daughter of the light-footed people. She runs marathons and she does so while wearing the traditional clothing of her people: a colorful skirt and huaraches (sandals made from tires). In the afterward we learn that it's not unusual for the Raramuri to make a living by winning races.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is why I enjoy informational picture books. I was not familiar with Lorena Ramirez prior to reading this book. It was a great opportunity to learn more about her and her culture while sharing the reading experience with my daughter. Natalie Castro did a wonderful job with the illustrations. If you're looking for more indigenous informational picture books to check out, I highly recommend this one!

[Mary Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story about amazing people I'd never known about --who run as part of their daily lives.

Interesting information at the end about Maria Lorena Ramirez, a Mexican ultra marathon runner, along with her family members, all of whom run long distances as part of their daily lives.

Maria Ramirez speaks only Rara'muri language as her family couldn't afford to send her to school.

Gorgeous, colorful paintings on every page!

Children's book worth checking out by adults too!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman's life will appeal to kids. The idea that she runs in sandals made of tires, and a skirt, and goes over 50 miles sometimes in a marathon. A great addition to bios for kids. Written in poetry and great colorful, detailed illustrations. I looked her up because I had never heard of her.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir/biography on the life and accomplishments of Lorena Ramirez, and her becoming a champion marathon runner. The story follows her early beginnings, and where and how she trained to compete all over the world, running in her native dress, and rubber sandals.

[Erin Riha · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring story about Lorena Ramírez, an indigenous marathon runner. Told in enchanting prose with beautiful illustrations, my kiddos were mesmerized and inspired by her story. A must have for K-5 classrooms.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Joy in movement, pride in heritage in illustrations, wish there were photos. current resources, sought out photos and found her cover of vogue mexico! From section of Mexico so remote she didn’t go to school or learn Spanish.

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an inspiring read, such perseverance and dedication. In awe of how she ran in sandals made of rubber tires. Lorena definitely shows the brilliance of Raramuri Indigenous people and their endurance as runners.

[K.C. Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not only an interesting book about a person I’d never heard of, but the story focuses on how Ramírez’s running relates to, and is tied to, both her personal history and her culture. This would be great opportunity to talk to kids about doing things in a way that only they can do.

[AnneLibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the true story of Lorena Ramírez, a marathon runner from the Rarámuri tribe, who ran 60 miles in her traditional clothes! The Rarámuri are also called "the light-footed people" because they are amazing runners who follow the customs of their tribe.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork was vividly colorful and beautiful. It told Lorena's story in a way that is would be fun for kids to hear since it is a story about running but told in a way way that highlights aspects of Lorena's culture.

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful picture book biography that has taught me about a person I never knew before. I love it when picture books open a new world to me and now I am fascinated to know more about Lorena Ramirez and the Raramuri people.

Author note at back tells more about Lorena.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeously illustrated picture book biography of Lorena Ramirez. I loved learning about her and the Raramuri people through this book.

[CYBILS Awards]

Recommended reading by Lindsay Moretti.

[Aneshka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this will be a contender for a Pura Belpre award this year

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating. It made me go look up more info on Lorena Ramirez. I do wish that there had been back matter with real pictures and more facts about her life.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Themes: running, biographies, Mexican culture, strong women
Ages:2-5th grade+
Pub year: 2024

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read via an online reader copy. An amazing introduction to a woman who inspires and honors her heritage. Lovely illustrations

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5