Manresa athlete Meritxell Calduch has returned to running for pleasure after injuries forced her out of elite competition. The former Spanish 10,000-metre champion, who also competed for FC Barcelona, says she still needs running for her mental health.
Calduch was one of the promising names in Catalan athletics and won the Spanish 10,000-metre title in 2009. According to Regió 7, her time with FC Barcelona was also successful, but injuries stopped her from keeping the consistency needed to stay at the top level.
She was told to stop running completely, but has now chosen to keep it in her life in a different way. Calduch says she aims to run for enjoyment a couple of days each week, rather than as part of elite competition.
Her case underlines the role sport can play in both physical and mental well-being. For readers following wider Catalonia news, see our news coverage.
Calduch’s return is a reminder that athletic careers can change shape, even when competition ends. In her case, running remains part of daily life, but on her own terms.
