Carla Cruz Benlloch

Spanish Track and Field Sprinter

Carla Cruz Benlloch is a rising Spanish track and field athlete from Moncada, Valencia, who specializes in sprint events, particularly the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 60 meters. At 22 years old, she represents a new generation of Spanish sprinters combining elite athletic performance with academic excellence, embodying the ideal of the student-athlete.

Athletic Career and Accomplishments

Personal Bests

Cruz has established impressive personal records across her primary sprint events:

• 100 meters: 11.64 seconds (July 29, 2023) / 11.66 seconds (July 13, 2024)
• 60 meters (indoor): 7.55 seconds (achieved on three occasions in 2025)
  • February 1, 2025 at Velódromo Luis Puig, Valencia
  • February 8, 2025 at Pista Coberta de Catalunya, Sabadell
  • February 22, 2025 at Gallur, Madrid

National Championship Success

2024 Spanish Sub-23 Championships Cruz demonstrated her elite potential at the 2024 Spanish Sub-23 Championships, where she secured the bronze medal in the 100 meters with her personal best time of 11.66 seconds. This performance established her as one of Spain’s top young sprinters and third-best in her age category nationally.

2024 Spanish Absolute Championships Competing against Spain’s best sprinters across all age groups, Cruz finished sixth at the 2024 Spanish Absolute (Senior) Championships, proving her ability to compete at the highest national level despite her youth.

2023 Spanish Championships At the 2023 Spanish Outdoor Championships in Torrent, Cruz finished seventh in the 100 meters final with a time of 11.85 seconds, competing in a highly competitive field that included some of Spain’s fastest women.

International Competition

2025 European Under-23 Championships – Bergen, Norway Cruz achieved a significant milestone in her career by qualifying for and competing at the 2025 European Under-23 Championships held in Bergen, Norway, from July 17-20, 2025. She was selected as part of the Spanish women’s 4×100 meter relay team, which consisted of Cruz, Elena Guiu, Ivana Peralta, and Ericka Badeau Maseras.

In the relay semifinals, the Spanish quartet delivered an outstanding performance, winning their heat and securing a place in the final. In the final itself, despite running from the challenging lane one position, the team finished fifth with a time of 44.27 seconds, which ranked as the sixth-best Spanish performance of all time. The result was later upgraded to fifth place following the disqualification of the Polish team.

This experience at the European Championships represented a crucial step in Cruz’s development as an international athlete, competing on one of Europe’s biggest junior stages. Spain’s overall success at the championships, with 11 total medals, showcased the strength of Spanish athletics at the Under-23 level.

World Athletics Rankings

As of 2025, Cruz holds the world ranking of #668 in the women’s 100 meters, reflecting her status as an emerging talent on the international stage with significant room for continued improvement.

Club and Training

Cruz competes for Club Atletismo Sprint Moncada, one of Valencia’s premier track and field clubs. She trains under the guidance of coaches Pau Monreal and María Baeza at the Polideportivo Municipal David Casinos in Moncada. She maintains a rigorous training schedule, working out five days per week in the mornings while balancing her academic commitments in the afternoons.

Cruz speaks highly of the positive team environment at her club, emphasizing the camaraderie and excellent atmosphere among all team members, which she credits as instrumental to her success and continued motivation.

Educational Background and Career Path

Academic Excellence

Cruz is pursuing a challenging double degree at the Universidad Católica de Valencia (Catholic University of Valencia) at their Torrent campus, simultaneously studying:

• Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (Sports Science and Physical Activity)
• Fisioterapia (Physiotherapy)

This ambitious dual-degree program demonstrates Cruz’s commitment to building a comprehensive understanding of human movement, athletic performance, and rehabilitation science. The combination of sports science and physiotherapy provides her with both theoretical and practical knowledge that complements her athletic career and prepares her for a future career in sports medicine or athletic training.

Academic Recognition

In March 2025, Cruz received the prestigious Fundación Trinidad Alfonso Award for university athletes with excellent academic records and outstanding athletic achievements. The Fundación Trinidad Alfonso, presided over by Juan Roig, created these awards through their UniEsport program to recognize student-athletes who successfully balance demanding academic programs with high-level athletic competition.

The award ceremony was held at the Universidad Católica de Valencia, where Cruz was honored alongside fellow student-athletes from the eight Valencian universities. The recognition included a €1,000 prize and a commemorative plaque, acknowledging her exceptional ability to maintain academic excellence while competing at a national and international level in athletics.

University Competition Success

Representing the Universidad Católica de Valencia in university competition, Cruz won the gold medal in the 100 meters at Madrid’s Estadio Vallehermoso with a time of 12.10 seconds, demonstrating her dominance in university-level athletics.

Personal Background and Interests

Early Athletic Development

Cruz attended Colegio San Jaime Apóstol in Moncada, where her love for sport developed from an early age. Her athletic journey began in swimming, which she practiced from childhood until age 11. It was during after-school activities at age 11 that she discovered athletics and found her true calling in sprint events. This early foundation in swimming likely contributed to her power and endurance as a sprinter.

Family Athletic Legacy

Cruz shares her passion for athletics with her younger sister, Lara Cruz Benlloch, creating a unique family bond centered around track and field. Lara, who also competes for Club Atletismo Sprint Moncada, is a talented multi-event athlete specializing in the heptathlon. In 2025, Lara became the Valencian Community champion in the Under-20 heptathlon with an impressive 4,923 points, ranking her second nationally in her age category and establishing her as one of Spain’s top young combined events athletes.

The Cruz Benlloch sisters both attended Colegio San Jaime Apóstol and train together at their local sports complex. Their parallel athletic careers have created a supportive and motivating family environment, with each sister pushing the other to achieve greater heights in their respective events.

Personal Interests and Lifestyle

Beyond the track, Cruz maintains a well-rounded lifestyle that reflects her love of nature and outdoor activities. Her hobbies include:

• Mountain activities and hiking – Finding balance and perspective in nature
• Beach volleyball – Maintaining fitness while enjoying a more recreational sport
• General outdoor sports – Staying active in diverse ways

When it comes to entertainment, Cruz cites “Lo Imposible” (The Impossible) as her favorite film. The choice is particularly fitting for an athlete who constantly pushes boundaries and overcomes challenges, as the film tells the true story of a family’s survival and resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity—a perfect metaphor for an athlete who strives for self-improvement daily.

Music and Training Motivation

Cruz and her sister train to an eclectic music selection, with Rihanna’s “Umbrella” being a particular favorite during warm-ups. According to Cruz, the song provides the perfect motivational energy to prepare mentally and physically for training sessions.

Connection to Moncada

Born and raised in Moncada, a municipality in the comarca of L’Horta Nord in Valencia, Cruz maintains strong ties to her hometown. She trains at the local municipal sports complex and represents her community on national and international stages. Her success has made her a source of local pride and inspiration for young athletes in the area.

Career Aspirations and Future Goals

Athletic Ambitions

Cruz’s competitive goals for the 2025 season and beyond include:

• Securing podium finishes at Spanish national championships
• Continuing to improve her personal bests and break into the sub-11.60 range in the 100 meters
• Establishing herself as a permanent member of Spain’s international relay teams
• Qualifying for and competing at major senior international championships
• Representing Spain at future European Championships and potentially World Championships

Professional Career Path

Through her dual degree in Sports Science and Physiotherapy, Cruz is positioning herself for a multifaceted career in sports medicine and athletic performance. The combination of these disciplines will enable her to:

• Work as a sports physiotherapist with professional or elite athletes
• Apply her first-hand athletic experience to help others optimize performance and recover from injuries
• Potentially transition into coaching or athletic training after her competitive career
• Contribute to the development of young athletes through evidence-based training methodologies

Cruz’s choice to pursue physiotherapy alongside sports science reflects a deep understanding of the human body and a desire to help others achieve their physical potential—knowledge she’s already applying to her own athletic development.

Competitive Philosophy and Character

Cruz embodies the qualities that define successful student-athletes: discipline, time management, resilience, and the ability to excel in multiple demanding arenas simultaneously. Training five days per week while maintaining excellence in a challenging dual-degree program requires extraordinary dedication and organizational skills.

Her coaches and teammates at Club Atletismo Sprint Moncada emphasize the positive team culture and Cruz’s role in fostering that environment. Despite her individual success, she remains grounded and committed to the collective success of her club and teammates.

As Cruz continues to develop as both an athlete and a professional, she represents the modern track and field athlete—one who understands that success in sport can be complemented by academic achievement and that both pursuits enhance each other. Her recognition by the Fundación Trinidad Alfonso exemplifies this balance and positions her as a role model for young athletes throughout the Valencian Community and Spain.

Looking Forward

At just 22 years old, Cruz is entering what many consider the prime years for sprint athletes. With her bronze medal from the 2024 Spanish Sub-23 Championships, her sixth-place finish at the Spanish Absolute Championships, her experience at the 2025 European Under-23 Championships, and her continued academic success, she has established a strong foundation for future achievements.

As she continues to refine her technique, build strength and speed, and gain international experience, Cruz has the potential to become one of Spain’s top sprinters in the coming years. Her commitment to education ensures that she will make meaningful contributions to Spanish athletics whether on the track or in her future professional career in sports science and physiotherapy.

Go Carla!