{{Short description|Uruguayan long-distance runner}} {{Infobox sportsperson | name = Julia Paternain | fullname = | image = | image_size = | caption = Paternain during the marathon course at 2025 World Athletics Championships | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|9|29|df=y}} | birth_place = León, Guanajuato, Mexico | death_date = | death_place = | residence = | nationality = Uruguay, United Kingdom | father = Gabriel Paternain<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.elobservador.com.uy/polideportivo/la-historia-detras-julia-paternain-bronce-el-mundial-atletismo-tokio-2025-padres-uruguayos-crecio-inglaterra-corre-estados-unidos-y-asombro-al-mundo-mira-las-fotos-su-vida-n6016986 |title=La historia detrás de Julia Paternain, bronce en el Mundial de atletismo en Tokio 2025 |publisher=El Osservador |date=14 September 2025 |lang=es |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> | spouse = | education = University of Arkansas BA Psychology & MBA<br>Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge, United Kingdom | alma_mater = University of Arkansas, United States<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gopsusports.com/sports/track-field/roster/player/julia-paternain |title=Julia Paternain Season 2019 |publisher=Pennsylvania State University |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> | sport = Athletics | event = Long distance running | club = | worlds = | nationals = | headercolor = | pb = '''Marathon''' 2:25:47 (2026) '''{{AthAbbr|NR|Uruguayan}}''' | show-medals = yes | medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Women's athletics}} {{Medal|Country|{{URU}}}} {{Medal|Competition|World Championships}} {{Medal|Bronze|2025 Tokyo|Marathon}} }} '''Julia Paternain''' (born 29 September 1999) is a long-distance runner who represents Uruguay internationally. She was a bronze medalist in the marathon at the 2025 World Athletics Championships and holds the Uruguayan national record in the distance.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://worldathletics.org/athletes/uruguay/julia-paternain-14755131|title= Julia Paternain |website=World Athletics|accessdate=14 September 2025}}</ref>
==Early life== Paternain was born in Mexico to Uruguayan mathematicians Gabriel Paternain and Graciela Muniz. At two years old she moved to England.<ref name="lewis"/> She competed as a member of Cambridge & Coleridge Athletic Club in England.<ref>{{cite web|website=Cambridge Independent|accessdate=14 September 2025|url= https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/sport/trio-of-cambridge-coleridge-athletes-set-for-great-britain-honours-9075233/ |title= Cambridge & Coleridge Athletic Club trio to represent Great Britain |first=Mark |last=Taylor|date=5 July 2019}}</ref> She won the English Schools title over 3,000 metres in Gateshead in 2017, taking nine seconds off her personal best to win in 9:30.74, and retained the title again in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/sport/siobhan-skinner-hails-the-efforts-of-cambridgeshire-athletes-at-english-schools-aa-championship-9053247/| website=Cambridge Independent|title= Siobhan Skinner hails the efforts of Cambridgeshire athletes at English Schools' AA Championship |first= Mark |last=Taylor|date=14 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=BBC Sport|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/articles/cqje4ezq1e2o|accessdate=14 Sep 2025|date=14 Sep 2025|title= Ex-English schools champion makes history for Uruguay|first=Craig|last=Nelson}}</ref> She represented Great Britain at the 2019 European Athletics U23 Championships, placing sixth in the 10,000 metres race.<ref>{{cite web|website=Cambridge Independent|accessdate=14 September 2025|url= https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/sport/julia-paternain-makes-gb-debut-at-european-under-23-championships-9076730/|title= Julia Paternain pride at Great Britain debut in European Under-23 Championships|first=Mark |last=Taylor|date=17 July 2019}}</ref>
==NCAA== Paternain moved to the United States in 2018 to attend Penn State University for two years before transferring to University of Arkansas for three years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/roster/julia-paternain |title=Julia Paternain |publisher=University of Arkansas |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> She earned 2019 NCAA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region Cross Country honors after placing ninth. Paternain earned 2023 All-SEC Outdoor Track and Field honors after placing second in the 10,000 meters. {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan="6" |representing Arkansas Razorbacks |- |rowspan=3 |2023 || NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships || 5000 m || 16:15.08 || 46th |- | rowspan=2 |Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships || 10,000 m || 35:07.76 || {{Silver2}} |- | 5000 m || 16:25.80 || 8th |- | 2022 || Southeastern Conference Cross Country Championships || 6 km || 21:16.5 || 57th |- |rowspan=2 |2021 || 2021 NCAA Division I cross country championships || rowspan=2 |6 km || 20:56.2 || 171st |- | Southeastern Conference cross country championships || 21:17.5 || 28th |- |2020 || Redshirt |- ! colspan="6" |representing Penn State Nittany Lions track and field |- |rowspan=5 |2019 || 2019 NCAA Division I cross country championships || rowspan=2 |6 km || 21:38.5 || 151st |- | Big Ten Conference cross country championships || 21:19.2 || 44th |- | rowspan=2 |2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships || 5000 m || 17:13.82 || 22nd |- | 10,000 m || 33:55.53 || 25th |- | Big Ten Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships || 10,000 m || 33:22.91 || 6th |- |rowspan=2 |2018 || 2018 NCAA Division I cross country championships || rowspan=2 |6 km || 21:17.4 || 125th |- | Big Ten Conference cross country championships || 20:22.9 || 10th |} <ref>[https://www.tfrrs.org/athletes/6871867/Arkansas/Julia_Paternain.html Julia Paternain NCAA results] TFRRS</ref>
==Professional== Paternain switched her international athletics eligibility from Great Britain to Uruguay in January 2025.<ref name="WA14Sep25">{{cite web |url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-championships/tokyo25/news/feature/julia-paternain-uruguay-marathon-tokyo-25 |title=Paternain: three passports, one green card and an unexpected bronze medal |publisher=World Athletics |date=14 September 2025}}</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=1045179880986755&id=100064842572083 Julia Paternain smashed it in her debut representing Uruguay: she achieved four national record marks at the Houston Half Marathon 🔥🇺🇾 1️⃣ With 16.53, he set a 5K record. 2️⃣ With 33.34, he set a record in the 10K, improving Maria Pia Fernández's 35.44 in 2020. 3️⃣ With 1.08.15, she made a 20K record mark, improving Lorena Sosa's 1.13.28 of 2024 4️⃣ With 1.12.01, he set a record in the Half Marathon, improving Lorena Sosa's 1.17.13 of 2024 Impressive 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 #atletismoCAU] Uruguayan Athletics Confederation</ref>
Paternain worked at the West Coast Conference for one year while she healed from her college injuries. She later moved to Flagstaff, Arizona and was then a project manager at Ohio University, working remotely.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PuQnSB2xUs ~12 minute timestamp - Julia Paternain - Putting Uruguay on the Map // The C Tolle Run Podcast // EP 431] The C Tolle Run Podcast</ref> Paternain met her training partner, Danielle Shanahan Polerecky, and her future coach, Jack Polerecky in Flagstaff.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byviifibaJw The Countdown to London begins with Julia Paternain, Sophie Raworth and Harry Judd - are you ready?!] Paula's Run Club</ref>
She turned her attention to road races and began training with the McKirdy Training Group. At the Twin Cities 10 Mile from Minneapolis to St. Paul, Paternain finished fifth in 53:26.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9BQ3DKOGdI |title=WATCH LIVE: Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon |date=October 6, 2024 |last1=Tollefson |first1=Carrie |last2=Brinkman |first2=Kelly |access-date=14 September 2025 |publisher=KARE 11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Zgoda |first=Jerry |title=Connor Mantz, feeling chased the whole way, wins the Twin Cities 10-mile men's title |url=https://www.startribune.com/twin-cities-marathon-notebook-10-mile-connor-mantz-natosha-rogers-melvin-carter/601157926 |work=Star Tribune |date=October 6, 2024 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref>
In November 2024, she edged Sara Hall by ten seconds to take second at the Indianapolis Half Marathon, running 1:10:15 behind Emma Grace Hurley.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-monumental-record-breaking-day-at-the-2024-cno-financial-indianapolis-monumental-marathon-302300575.html |title=A Monumental Record-Breaking Day at the 2024 CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon |agency=PR Newswire |date=November 9, 2024 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref> In March 2025, she ran a Uruguayan national record in the marathon on her marathon debut, running 2:27:09 in Rockland Lake State Park, New York.<ref name="lewis">{{cite web|url= https://www.montevideo.com.uy/Deportes/Atletismo-Julia-Paternain-debuto-en-maraton-estableciendo-un-nuevo-record-nacional-uc919215?plantilla=1735&proceso=amp|website=Montevideo.com|accessdate=14 Sep 2025|title= Julia Paternain made her marathon debut, setting a new national record}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://athleticsillustrated.com/canadas-justin-kent-runs-a-20928-marathon-in-new-york/#google_vignette|website=Athletics Illustrated|accessdate=14 September 2025|title= Canada’s Justin Kent runs a 2:09:28 marathon in New York|first=Christopher|last=Kelsall|date=March 31, 2025}}</ref>
In 2025, Paternain signed a multi-year endorsement contract with Saucony.<ref>{{cite news |last=Seimas |first=Jim |title=Accomplished Scotts Valley runner Jessica Kain signs with Saucony |url=https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ |work=Santa Cruz Sentinel |date=March 14, 2025 |access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref><ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/DHD7KmvRMOh/ juliapaternain_ 26w Eeek!!! I’m so happy to share that I will be running professionally for @saucony! I couldn’t be more excited to see what we can achieve together, alongside my coach @jack_polerecky and the @mckirdytrained team here in Flagstaff, Arizona 🏜️ Growing up, I played just about every sport under the sun before eventually sticking with swimming. I wanted to get into triathlons, but my hometown’s triathlon club had a waitlist—so in the meantime, I joined the running club. And I’m so glad I did! Fast forward almost a decade (ahhh), and little me would be amazed at where this sport has taken me. A special thank you to everyone who has played a role in my journey so far 🫶 I can’t wait to keep building, and I’ll see you all on the roads soon! #saucony 📷: @mr.nono500] Julia Paternain Instagram</ref>
=== 2025 World Athletics Championship ===
Paternain was a bronze medalist representing Uruguay in the marathon at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan in 2:27:23. It was the first medal won by Uruguay at the Championships.<ref>{{cite web|website=Japan Times|accessdate=14 September 2025|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/09/14/more-sports/jepchirchir-womens-marathon/|title= Kenya's Jepchirchir wins women's marathon gold at worlds in Tokyo|date=14 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=13 September 2025|url= https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/esportes/outros-esportes/mundial-de-atletismo-sul-americana-conquista-medalha-historica-na-maratona/#google_vignette |title=World Athletics Championships: South American wins historic medal in the marathon|accessdate=14 September 2025|website=cnnbrasil}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7190593?eventId=10229534 |date=14 Sep 2025|website=World Athletics|accessdate=14 September 2025|title= World Athletics Championships, Tokyo 2025}}</ref>
Paternain entered the race ranked 288th in the world and was not expected to place for a medal.<ref name="WA14Sep252">{{cite web |date=14 September 2025 |title=Paternain: three passports, one green card and an unexpected bronze medal |url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-championships/tokyo25/news/feature/julia-paternain-uruguay-marathon-tokyo-25 |publisher=World Athletics}}</ref>
Paternain ran a new personal best and national record of 2:25:47 at the 2026 London Marathon, finishing eighth.<ref>{{Cite web | url= https://athleticsweekly.com/news/tigist-assefa-retains-her-london-crown-with-another-world-record-1040010981/ |date=26 April 2026 |title= TIGIST ASSEFA RETAINS HER LONDON CROWN WITH ANOTHER WORLD RECORD |access-date=26 April 2026| website=Athletics Weekly}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! colspan="6" |representing Saucony & {{URU}} |- |rowspan=2 |2025 ! McKirdy Micro - The Road to Tokyo | Congers, New York<br>Rockland Lake State Park |Marathon | 2:27:09 | bgcolor=gold|{{Gold1}} |- !World Athletics Championships |Tokyo |Marathon | 2:27:23 | bgcolor=cc9900|{{Bronze3}} |- |2026 !London Marathon |London |Marathon |2:25:47 '''<small>{{AthAbbr|NR|Uruguayan}}</small>''' |8th |}
==External links== {{Instagram|juliapaternain_}}
== References == {{reflist|30em}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paternain, Julia}} Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:Arkansas Razorbacks women's cross country runners Category:University of Arkansas alumni Category:Uruguayan women long-distance runners Category:Uruguayan marathon runners Category:World Athletics Championships athletes for Uruguay Category:World Athletics Championships medalists Category:21st-century Uruguayan sportswomen Category:Mexican people of Uruguayan descent