Iratxe Sarasola: Spain’s Emerging Sprint Sensation
Iratxe Sarasola has established herself as one of Spain’s most promising young sprint talents, representing Grupompleo Pamplona Atlético with distinction across multiple sprint events. From the Navarra region of Spain, Sarasola has consistently demonstrated her versatility and competitive spirit on both regional and national stages, becoming an integral part of Spain’s next generation of sprinters.
Athletic Accomplishments
Sprint Excellence Across Multiple Distances
Sarasola’s primary events are the 100 meters and 200 meters, where she has achieved significant success at various competitive levels. Her personal best in the 100 meters stands at 11.77 seconds, achieved on June 19, 2021, marking her as one of Navarra’s top sprinters in recent years. In the 200 meters short track (indoor), she has clocked 24.62 seconds as of February 21, 2025, demonstrating her continued competitive development.
National Championship Medals
Under-20 Success (2021)
Sarasola’s breakthrough performance came at the 2021 Spanish Under-20 Championships in Monzón, Huesca, where she earned bronze in the 100 meters with a time of 12.04 seconds. In this memorable race, she and her training partner Martina Wiafe achieved a historic double podium for Navarra, with Wiafe taking silver at 11.88 seconds. The pair finished behind champion Laura Pintiel, but their joint success signaled the emergence of a new generation of Navarran sprinters.
Beyond her individual success, Sarasola was part of the 4×100-meter relay team that captured gold at the same championships. Running alongside Cristina Mallor, Blanca Torrecilla, and Martina Wiafe, the quartet clocked 47.05 seconds to claim the Spanish Under-20 title.
Under-20 Medal Collection (2022)
At the 2022 Spanish Under-20 Championships in Torrent, Valencia, Sarasola added another bronze medal to her collection, finishing third in the 100 meters with a time of 11.94 seconds. Elena Guiu of Valencia Club Atletismo set a championship record of 11.55 seconds to take gold, while Lucía Sánchez earned silver with 11.90 seconds. This consistent podium presence demonstrated Sarasola’s reliability as a top-three finisher at the national level in her age group.
Under-23 Achievements (2024)
Sarasola continued her medal-winning ways as she moved into the Under-23 category. At the 2024 Spanish Under-23 Championships in Antequera, she earned silver in the 200 meters with a time of 24.78 seconds, showcasing her continued progression and competitiveness at higher age categories.
Relay Excellence and Record-Breaking
Sarasola’s most significant contribution to Spanish athletics has come through relay competition, where she has been instrumental in setting records and achieving national success.
Navarra Regional Record (2021)
Prior to the 2021 Spanish Championships, Sarasola was part of a 4×100-meter relay team that set a Navarra regional record. Running with teammates Laila Lacuey, Nerea Bermejo, and Martina Wiafe, the quartet established a new benchmark for the region, demonstrating the exceptional talent pool emerging from Navarra athletics.
Spanish Championship Bronze and Regional Record (2021)
At the 2021 Spanish Championships in Getafe on June 27, Sarasola was part of a historic performance in the women’s 4×100-meter relay. The team of Laila Lacuey, Nerea Bermejo, Iratxe Sarasola, and Martina Wiafe captured bronze with a time of 44.92 seconds, shattering the previous Navarra regional record of 45.69 seconds. This performance not only earned a national medal but also demonstrated the rapid development of sprint talent in the region.
Division of Honor Competition
As a member of Grupompleo Pamplona Atlético, Sarasola has competed in Spain’s premier club competition, the División de Honor. In the 2022 championships held in La Nucía, Alicante, she contributed to the team’s fifth-place finish, improving her season-best time to 12.16 seconds in the 100 meters. Her participation in these high-level club competitions has provided valuable experience competing against Spain’s elite athletes.
Youth Development and Early Success
Sarasola’s athletic journey shows consistent progression through Spain’s youth categories. In the 2015-2016 Navarra Youth Sports Games (Juegos Deportivos de Navarra), she competed in multiple events including the 80 meters hurdles and 150 meters, earning podium finishes and establishing herself as a multi-talented young athlete. This early versatility laid the foundation for her later specialization in sprint events.
Career and Training
Coaching Under François Beoringyan
Sarasola trains under the guidance of François Beoringyan, one of Spain’s most respected and successful track coaches. Beoringyan, who arrived in Pamplona from Paris in 2002 and built a remarkable coaching career with Grupompleo Pamplona Atlético, has developed what is known as the “Swan Team” – a collection of elite athletes that has dominated Spanish athletics in recent years.
Under Beoringyan’s tutelage, Sarasola trains alongside other prominent Spanish athletes including Olympic hurdler Asier Martínez, record-breaking sprinter Nerea Bermejo, long jumper Laila Lacuey, and fellow sprinter Martina Wiafe. This training environment, which emphasizes technical excellence, relay precision, and team cohesion, has been instrumental in the rapid development of Navarra’s sprint program.
Beoringyan’s coaching philosophy focuses on building strong foundations during winter training and maintaining peak performance for extended periods. His athletes are known for their excellent relay technique, precise handoffs, and team-oriented approach – qualities that have been particularly evident in Sarasola’s relay performances.
Club Affiliation
Sarasola represents Grupompleo Pamplona Atlético, a club that has become a powerhouse in Spanish athletics under the leadership of president Pablo Branchi. The club, which began with only 30 athletes in 2000 and had to recruit external athletes to compete, has transformed into one of Spain’s premier athletics organizations through its dedication to youth development and quality coaching.
The club’s success in the División de Honor, where both the men’s and women’s teams compete at the highest level, has provided Sarasola with a competitive environment that has accelerated her development. The opportunity to train and compete alongside Spain’s best athletes has been crucial to her progression through national age-group categories.
Personal Development and Character
Part of a Golden Generation
Sarasola is part of what many consider a golden generation of Navarran sprinters. Training daily with Martina Wiafe, with whom she has shared numerous podiums, Sarasola benefits from the competitive push that comes from having an elite training partner of similar age and ability. Their simultaneous emergence as national-level athletes has created a synergistic effect, with each pushing the other to greater heights.
Media coverage of their achievements often highlights the “future of Navarran speed,” noting how their consistent progression and mutual success demonstrate the strength of the region’s athletics system. The fact that both athletes emerged from the same training group under Beoringyan’s guidance speaks to the quality of the developmental pathway available to young athletes in Navarra.
Team-Oriented Approach
One of Sarasola’s defining characteristics as an athlete is her effectiveness in relay competition. While her individual performances are impressive, she has consistently elevated her performance when running as part of a relay team. This ability to perform under pressure, execute precise handoffs, and contribute to collective success demonstrates a level of maturity and team commitment that extends beyond pure individual speed.
Her contributions to record-breaking relay performances and national championship medals have made her a valued member of both club and regional relay teams. Coaches and teammates have noted her reliability and precision in exchange zones, qualities that are essential for relay success at the highest levels.
Consistent Progression
Sarasola’s career trajectory shows steady, consistent improvement rather than dramatic breakthroughs. From her early success in youth competitions through her under-20 medals and into the under-23 category, she has maintained an upward trajectory while avoiding the performance plateaus that often derail young athletes. This consistency suggests a sustainable approach to training and competition that bodes well for her future development.
Recent Developments and Future Outlook
As of 2025, Sarasola continues to compete actively in both individual and relay events. Her most recent recorded performance shows a 200-meter short track time of 24.62 seconds in February 2025, indicating that she remains competitive and is continuing to refine her abilities.
At 22 years old, Sarasola is entering what are typically the peak years for sprint athletes. Having successfully transitioned from youth categories through under-23 competition, she now faces the challenge of establishing herself at the senior international level. Her proven ability to perform in high-pressure situations, combined with her relay expertise, positions her well for potential selection to Spanish national teams.
The continued success of Spanish relay teams at international competitions, including recent national record-breaking performances at major championships, opens doors for athletes like Sarasola who have demonstrated excellence in relay competition. Spain’s investment in relay camps and technical training aligns perfectly with her strengths, suggesting opportunities for international representation in the coming years.
Potential for International Competition
Spain’s emergence as a relay powerhouse in recent years, highlighted by national records and strong performances at events like the World Athletics Relays, creates opportunities for experienced relay runners like Sarasola. Her proven track record in setting regional records and winning national medals positions her as a potential contributor to Spain’s relay programs as they compete on the world stage.
The technical precision and team cohesion that Spanish relay teams have become known for matches perfectly with Sarasola’s demonstrated strengths. As Spain continues to develop its relay program with training camps and team-building activities, athletes with Sarasola’s experience and reliability become increasingly valuable.
Legacy in Navarra Athletics
Sarasola’s contributions to Navarra athletics extend beyond her individual achievements. As part of the generation that has re-established the region as a sprint powerhouse in Spanish athletics, she has helped create a legacy that will inspire future athletes. The regional records she helped set, the national medals she has won, and the elite standards she has consistently achieved have raised the bar for what young Navarran athletes can aspire to accomplish.
Together with training partners like Martina Wiafe and under the guidance of coaches like François Beoringyan, Sarasola has been part of a transformative period for Grupompleo Pamplona Atlético and Navarra athletics more broadly. The club’s rise to prominence in Spanish athletics, and the region’s renewed reputation for producing elite sprinters, owes much to the achievements and dedication of athletes like Sarasola who have consistently delivered medals and records on the national stage.
As she continues her athletic career, Iratxe Sarasola represents not just her own ambitions but also the aspirations of a region and a club that have invested heavily in developing world-class athletes. Whether she achieves international representation or continues to excel at the national level, her impact on Spanish and Navarran athletics is already firmly established.
Go Iratxe!
