Ultra Trail des Vallees

Fernando Cardenas was training for his first marathon when a neighborhood kid asked to join his early morning runs through Rennes. Those casual sessions sparked something larger. After completing that marathon, Fernando recognized running's power extended far beyond personal achievement, and VITAL Run Crew emerged from those shared miles and early conversations. Today, around six runners gather every Monday at 7:45 PM in Parc du Berry, a small but dedicated group united by accessibility over exclusivity. Founded on the tenth element of Hip Hop culture, which encompasses plant-based nutrition, fitness, and mental health awareness, VITAL reflects Fernando's broader work as a Pan-Africanist and co-founder of the BESE SAKA Afro Vegan Fest. The crew's philosophy is simple: no membership fees, no intimidating pace requirements, just an open invitation to explore running through cultural awareness and collective healing. Post-run stretching and wellness conversations turn Monday evenings into spaces where runners of all experience levels find their rhythm together.