JOSE “CHEPE” CRUZ

Endurance

By Nicole Anderson | Photography by John Taylor

LONG BEFORE THE WORLD’S ELITE ULTRMARATHON RUNNERS ARRIVE IN UTAH TO TACKLE LEGENDARY RACES LIKE THE MOAB 240, local runners are already out on the trails. They climb mountain ridges before sunrise, log miles after work, and spend weekends exploring Utah’s rugged landscapes — not because they must, but because running has become part of who they are. Few embody that spirit more than Jose “Chepe” Cruz.

Known throughout Utah’s running community by his social media handle @cheperuns, Cruz has become far more than a talented endurance athlete. He has earned a reputation as someone who welcomes others into the sport, encourages first-time runners, and reminds people that running isn’t only about crossing finish lines — it's about building relationships and creating a like-minded community.

When FACES reached out to the Salt Lake Running Company to ask who best represents Utah’s endurance-running culture, Cruz's name came up immediately. "Chepe is always positive, friendly, and excited to include regular people in the sport," said Forest Plaster of Salt Lake Running Company. "He respects the value of community and sees running as something that brings people together."

Another respected Utah ultrarunner, Jesse Rich, also recommended Cruz, sharing an example that speaks to the kind of runner he is. Rather than focusing on his own training, Chepe once paced a second-time ultrarunner who didn't want to begin her race alone at 3:00 am In the process, he casually logged 49 miles alongside her.

But running wasn’t always part of Jose “Chepe” Cruz’s life. In fact, he didn't begin running until he was 37 years old.

Born and raised in Mazatenango, Guatemala, Cruz spent much of his childhood with his grandparents. His parents immigrated to the United States in the 1980s. In 2000, he followed them, eager to embrace the opportunities he had long imagined.

“We were excited to move to the US,” he said. “It’s a country of opportunities.”

That optimism continues to define his outlook today.

While many runners chase personal records, Cruz has discovered something even more rewarding. “Helping other people makes me feel good,” he said. That mindset has made him one of the most recognizable and respected figures in Utah’s trail-running community.

For Cruz, running is about far more than competition alone. “I love running in the mountains,” he said. “I totally forget about the day-to-day challenges. I have fun.”

Even during the winter months, when snow pushes him onto the roads, Cruz keeps moving. His training varies from short, fast 5Ks to grueling 60-mile training runs. To stay healthy, he cross-trains in the gym twice each week, constantly balancing speed, endurance, and strength.

His friends often ask him what’s next — a local 5K, a 10K, a 50K trail race, or another 100-mile ultramarathon. Cruz simply enjoys testing himself while encouraging others to do the same.

Among his proudest performances was finishing Utah’s legendary Wasatch 100 in an impressive 20 hours and 27 minutes in 2023. Although he narrowly missed setting a personal record the following year by just ten minutes, his perspective remained positive.

Unlike many competitive sports, Cruz believes ultrarunning creates something unique. “Ultrarunning is more relaxed,” he explained. “You have more time to make friendships.” Those friendships have become one of the greatest rewards of the sport for Cruz.

If someone mentions signing up for a difficult race, Cruz is often the first person offering help. Whether pacing, crewing, sharing advice, or simply encouraging someone to avoid tackling a difficult course alone, he believes every runner deserves support that extends well beyond race day.

Through his Instagram account, @cheperuns, Cruz regularly shares encouragement, scenic mountain adventures, and reminders that running is about much more than mileage. One message that resonates with many runners reads:

“When things get heavy, you don’t need to escape your life. You just need to find the place that brings you back to yourself.”

For Cruz, that place is almost always a trail.

His story reflects something special happening throughout Utah. While races like the Moab 240 attract international attention and elite athletes such as David Goggins and Cameron Hanes, the heart of Utah’s running culture is built by local runners who show up week after week — not only for themselves, but for each other.

In a world increasingly focused on rankings, social media, and personal achievements, Cruz reminds us that success and opportunities can also be measured by the number of people we’ve encouraged along the way. Every runner remembers the person who convinced them to sign up for their first race, join their first group run, or believe they could go farther than they imagined.

For many Utah runners, that person is Jose “Chepe” Cruz.