A Marathon Milestone for David!

A Huge Achievement for Moss UK’s David Lopez-Fernandez!

This October, Moss UK’s David achieved something truly remarkable, conquering the Chicago Marathon in an impressive 3 hours, 27 minutes! For David, the event wasn’t just a race. It was an opportunity to represent Moss internationally, and a moment of personal achievement and pride.

We had the opportunity to sit down with David and chat about his experience…

First things first – how was your arrival in Chicago?

David: It was incredible. I was immediately struck by how big the city was, but also how friendly everyone was. It was my first time in the U.S., so I really wanted to make the most of it between training sessions and race prep.

How did you spend the days leading up to the marathon?

David: On the Saturday before the race, I joined the Chicago 5K as a warm-up. It was great to feel the atmosphere with thousands of other runners. Afterwards, I did a food tour, trying the city’s famous pizza and Chicago-style hotdogs. And of course, I had to visit the Moss HQ! I met the U.S. team, explored the facilities, and even took a spin on some of their printers.

Tell us about race day, how were you feeling?

David: It was really hot, around 26°C, and the sky was completely clear. I knew it was going to be tough, so I made sure not to start too fast and stopped regularly at the water stations. That plan worked and I finished feeling strong with a time of 3:27:00. Afterwards, I somehow still had energy to do more sightseeing across Chicago’s skyline!

How did your journey to marathon running begin?

David: I used to play football, but after a knee injury in my late thirties, I started running as part of my recovery. My first marathon was in Valencia in 2008, and since then, I’ve done several more. After running the London Marathon in 2018, I set myself a goal to complete all six of the world’s major marathons.

What did your training for the Chicago Marathon look like?

David: It was pretty intense, I ran about 1,648 km over 144 hours, plus 27 hours in the gym. On average, I trained around three hours a week to build consistency. The process of training feels really good, it gives you structure, focus, and a great routine for life.

You mentioned you spent time working from the Moss Chicago office – what was that experience like?

David: Thanks to Mark Rose, Clayton and the wider Moss team, I was able to work there for a few days. It was amazing to see how things operate in the U.S. and connect with colleagues across the Atlantic. The office is massive, and everyone was so welcoming.

You’ve just crossed a major finish line…what’s the next race on your horizon?

David: I’ve got a half marathon in November, then I’ll take a short break. After that, I’m hoping for the Berlin Marathon!

Looking back, what has this journey taught you?

David: It felt amazing to represent Moss at an event like this. The support from my team and my family means a lot, it keeps me motivated to go further.

From everyone at Moss – congratulations, David!
A huge achievement and a brilliant example of dedication, perseverance, and passion in motion. We can’t wait to see where the next marathon (or six!) takes you.