NYRR Media Center

Julia Paternain shocked the world when she finished third at the 2025 World Athletics Championships marathon, capturing Uruguay’s first-ever running medal at a global championship. Going into the race she was ranked 288th and the race was only her second marathon.  Earlier in 2025, she set the national record at the McKirdy Micro Marathon, breaking the tape in 2:27:09. This spring, she will make her New York Road Runners debut at the United Airlines NYC Half. It also marks her first race since winning bronze.

In 2024, she had a breakthrough year, finishing as the runner-up at the Financial Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon, running a personal best in 1:10:16. While competing collegiately she won silver at the SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Paternain possess a multicultural background—she was born in Mexico, grew up in England, and moved to the United States for college. She switched her professional allegiance from Great Britain to Uruguay in 2025, noting her family’s strong ties.