The flame of popular racing follows them wherever they go. In Alicante, the names of Daniel Andújar and Mar Jover have become tied to a new chapter in athletics, following their Rio de Janeiro Olympic journeys. After embracing the demanding shift from elite sport to popular track and field, they fully immersed themselves in the world of mass participation races and started shaping fresh ambitions. Andújar founded the Bull Runners team, a movement that continues to attract athletes from all backgrounds, including Marieta Jover, who has explored everything from long jump to the half marathon.
“Life teaches you that the highs are not always perfect and the lows are not completely bad either. The turning point came after a persistent calf injury forced me out of top-level competition. From that moment, the idea of Dani Andújar’s Bull Runners was born. It was not only about running to train, but about leading a new path—one that keeps the sport approachable while pursuing excellence. The goal, as Dani describes it, is to help people run well from the start, to savor the journey, and to reach personal targets. He believes that running can improve day-to-day life, offering a break from the rush of daily existence and a platform to chase new challenges with a supportive, healthy environment. The challenge is balancing training load so the body’s musculoskeletal system can absorb it, because overdoing it often leads to stagnation and frustration.”
The mid-distance runner could not be happier with Mar Jover joining the team. “I have known and admired Marieta for many years. Soon after she founded the club, her husband Paco and later her brother Joan joined to help. After stepping back from high-level competition, I wanted to stay excited and push new goals, because that’s what life is all about—moving forward and testing one’s limits. He has always been clear about trusting a guide who can lead him on this path, and I am fortunate that he chose our team.”
Olympian Dani Andújar Offers a Masterclass to 400 Students from IES Haygón
Victoria Mora
The long jumper found renewed purpose in popular racing events. “I’ve known about Dani’s project for a long time, and my husband and brother have trained with him. I’ve told him many times that my new challenges would align with my last jump. He doubted it at first, and now, here we are, with all my teammates forming a strong unit.”
“I discovered a racing culture I truly enjoy. The race atmosphere—at the start, during the course, and at the finish—feels magical. We share our groundwork and training to reveal the best versions of ourselves and make real our dreams. Crossing the finish line with the satisfied faces of teammates gives energy to push forward every day. Of course, not everyone is prepared to take on this kind of effort, and that is something I don’t share. Health must come first, and anyone aiming for a challenge this big should work with professionals, and Dani handles this exceptionally well,” says Marieta, who avoids fixed long-term targets. “Half marathon, marathon… I don’t set distant goals. The benefit now is the freedom to pursue thrills without the pressure of immediate competition. I won’t deny that improving day by day motivates me, so I can complete a few more half marathons, but the marathon may wait awhile.”
Mar Jover from Alicante Reaches World and Olympic Standards
Do you train for pop-up events or professional competition? Marieta makes the distinction clear: “The path differs with the demands. For me, there is no current pain, but my training intensity in professional athletics has shifted for several reasons. First, my background is in a discipline that prizes strength, speed, and power, where I push myself to the edge daily. Now I train at lower intensities and look at sport from a broader vantage point. I tune intensities to personal preferences, preserving health and extending my athletic life in a balanced way.”
The two athletes show maximum enthusiasm for this new direction within the Bull Runners project, already miles ahead in spirit and ambition.