Brownsville native has only been running for about four years, but he has rocketed out of the gate, winning races and handling distances that many wait to do until they have more experience.
Hurtado, 37, just smashed the course record at the Habenero Hundred race in August, completing 100 miles in 18:57:16.
His experience working for the Cameron County Beach Patrol may have given him an edge because of the course's ridiculous amounts of sand as well as punishing heat.
He is a humble champion who nerds out with stats.
This is a guy to watch.