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🇪🇨 Ecuador /Crime & Justice

Mónica Martinich spoke about her greatest passion two days before she was killed in Samborondón

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Under investigation
  • Mónica Martinich, 38, died after a vehicle struck her during a training run on September 4, 2026, on the road to Samborondón.
  • In an interview recorded two days earlier, she said running had made her much happier and described the discipline behind her goal of running the Chicago Marathon.
  • Ecuador’s traffic authorities are investigating after the driver involved left the scene.

Two days before her death, Mónica Martinich spoke on camera about the running passion that had led her toward the Chicago Marathon. “I’m much happier since I started running,” she said in an interview published by Team WeRunGye.

Martinich, 38, was preparing for the 42-kilometre race after competing in marathons in Guayaquil and Miami. She was also a mother of two. Speaking about the effort required to reach such a demanding event, she said: “We’re already here, so why would you stop? We’ve done everything already. Sacrifice, discipline, desire and love for running, because without that, there’s no way.”

I’m much happier since I started running

· Mónica MartinichHer answer about what running meant to her in an interview recorded before her death.

She was training with a man and another woman before dawn on September 4 along the road to Samborondón. A pickup truck accompanied the group as a safety vehicle. The run ended near kilometre 3, in the south-to-north direction.

We’re already here, so why would you stop? We’ve done everything already. Sacrifice, discipline, desire and love for running, because without that, there’s no way.

· Mónica MartinichHer description of the commitment required to prepare for a 42-kilometre race.

According to Ecuador’s Traffic Commission, a black pickup approached the runners and repeatedly sounded its horn. The escort vehicle made room, but the black pickup moved along the right side of the road and struck Martinich. Her two companions moved aside and were unharmed. Martinich died at the scene, while the driver continued driving and left the area.

The Traffic Commission and its Office of Traffic Accident Investigation carried out the initial procedures. The case was placed with the duty prosecutor, and the mayor of Samborondón, Juan José Yúnez, ordered traffic authorities to provide evidence from the surveillance system.

I refuse to die without first knowing the full potential of my body

· Mónica MartinichA line she had written in a social media post about her athletic goals.
About this summary

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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