FYG 2026 athlete · The Collective

Sergio Raez Villanueva

Mississauga, ONTrail running · Running

Fuel like Sergio@sergioraezvStrava ↗
Sergio Raez Villanueva (photo: Claus Andersen)

1st

The Foxtail Rail Trail Race, Dundas, Ont.

50 km · 2026

9th

IAU 50K World Championships

50 km, India · 2026

2:20

Usual time

Marathon

Mississauga

Home base

Ontario

The story

Meet Sergio.

Sergio Raez Villanueva is one of Canada's most versatile distance runners. He is a national 10,000 m champion and a BMO Vancouver Marathon winner who has moved into ultras, placing 9th at the 2026 IAU World 50K Championships.

“XACT products are excellent in quality, and they help me stay fueled over longer sessions. They are particularly useful during my harder efforts, but also excellent to have pre- and post-exercise.”

Sergio Raez Villanueva, in their own words
Sports
Trail running, Running
Home base
Mississauga, Ontario
Go-to distance
Marathon
Level
Elite

FYG 2026 athlete · The goal

Canadian Mountain Running Championships at Défi des couleurs in Mont-Sainte-Anne in October (two races), and the 100 km Road World Championships in September

October 11, 2026Goal date
SoloSolo, duo or team

Why, in Sergio’s words: I am exploring more of trail running and ultra-running. My goals fluctuate but I want to continue pushing my speed endurance into the trails and ultras. Unfortunately, I was slightly injured for my vertical race goal, but I still managed to do this albeit with a slight limp. This taught me a lot about my body and ways to recover further as well, with new goals in sight for 2027!

The pitch video · Why Sergio is going for itFollow the journey

  1. Finished the vertical race even with a limp and thankfully still putting hard work in for the next season ahead. 2027 has in store more marathons and ultra marathons!

  2. Rehab and recovery

Race day was October 11, 2026. The story is coming.

Highlights

Sergio’s road so far.

  1. 2026

    9th at the IAU World 50K Championships in India in 2:54:47. Source ↗

  2. 2026

    Won the Foxtail Rail Trail Race 50K in Dundas, Ont. in 3:07:56. Source ↗

  3. 2024

    Won the BMO Vancouver Marathon in 2:22:45. Source ↗

  4. 2018

    Canadian 10,000 m champion, winning with a late sprint in 30:19.19 at the Speed River Inferno. Source ↗

Race day

Race day, Sergio’s way.

From breakfast to the finish line, in Sergio’s own words.

  1. Race morning

    2 soft-boiled eggs and bread, with some milk and juice

  2. During

    Depending on the distance, 2-3 gels

  3. After

    Oatmeal and/or protein drink

Off the clock

The real Sergio.

Sergio’s best advice

XACT gels: convenient and easy to use!

Guilty pleasure

Yogurt and granola for dinner

Post-race meal

Mashed potatoes

Always in the fridge

Yogurt, eggs, milk

Race-day ritual

Must always have comfy socks (usually cotton preferred)

Hype song

Queen - Don't Stop Me Now

Outside of sport

Volunteer coach for the Mississauga Track & Field Club

WHEN IT TASTES GOOD, IT’S GOOD.*

Sergio’s goal: Canadian Mountain Running Championships at Défi des couleurs in Mont-Sainte-Anne in October (two races), and the 100 km Road World Championships in September

Sergio’s picks

In Sergio’s bag.

All of Sergio’s picks in one go.

BEFORE · DURING

Sergio’s flavour: Orange

XACT Energy Bars

$66 · box of 24That’s $2.75 a bar

BEFORE · DURING

Sergio’s flavour: Apricot

XACT Energy Chews

$23 · 250 g bag

Rather try them in person? Also at your local shop →

In the media

Read, watch and listen.

Results

At the finish line.

YearRaceCategoryResult
2026Québec Mega Trail80 km (50 miles)19th, 9:44:50
2026The Foxtail Rail Trail Race, Dundas, Ont.50 km1st, 3:07:56
2026IAU 50K World Championships50 km, India9th, 2:54:47

The Collective

Same start line.

More people like Sergio.

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