A 90‑Day Payment Delay and the Hidden Strain Behind a World‑Class Race
For fourteen years, Transvulcania has been one of the most meaningful projects of my professional life. Since 2012, I have documented its volcanic ridge lines, its sunrise ascents, and the emotional electricity that defines La Palma’s most iconic event. It is, without question, one of the most beautiful ultramarathons in the world – a race built on passion, community, and the extraordinary landscape of the Canary Islands.
That long relationship is precisely why this article is difficult to write.
A Timeline That Should Never Have Happened
In May 2026, I once again travelled to La Palma to photograph the race. As always, I delivered the full photographic collection within 24 hours. My invoice, issued on May 13th, followed every requirement set by SODEPAL, including the mandatory TARJETA DE IDENTIFICACIÓN FISCAL documentation.
My business terms are 30 days.
After 60 days without payment, I contacted Nieves Laura Rodríguez González, Directora Insular de Innovación, Planificación y Desarrollo Económico. Her reply on July 23rd acknowledged the delay and assured me that payment would be processed “within the next few weeks,” adding that if I had not received payment within three weeks, I should contact her directly for immediate follow‑up.
I did exactly that.
Two follow‑up emails. Zero replies. Today, more than 90 days after the invoice was issued, I remain unpaid.
Copyright Breach: Images Used Without a Valid Agreement
Despite the unpaid invoice, Transvulcania has continued to use my images on social media.
This is not a small detail – it is a legal one.
Under Spanish copyright law, and under the terms agreed with SODEPAL, image usage is conditional upon payment. Without payment, no usage agreement exists, and any use of the images constitutes unauthorized use and a breach of copyright.
I have always worked in good faith with Transvulcania. But good faith cannot replace a legally valid agreement.
A Pattern Emerges: Other Suppliers Speak Out
After weeks of silence, I shared my frustration briefly on an Instagram story. Within hours, I received messages from other suppliers – speakers, journalists, photographers – all describing the same situation.
They, too, remain unpaid.
Two elite athletes who stood on the podium at the 2026 edition also reached out privately. They have not received their prize money.
This is no longer an isolated administrative delay. It is a systemic failure affecting multiple contributors across the event.
The Public Context: A System Under Strain
SODEPAL is a public company owned by the Cabildo Insular de La Palma. As a public entity, it is legally required to pay suppliers within 30 days.
Yet recent reporting shows:
- Payment delays stretching to 140 days for local businesses.
- A €1.8 million deficit in SODEPAL’s most recent fiscal cycle.
- Public criticism from local political leaders regarding severe delays in paying freelancers and small businesses.
- Concerns that SODEPAL’s budgets “do not reflect reality” and rely on last‑minute financial interventions to avoid collapse.
One article states that “delays in payments to suppliers in La Palma put Sodepal’s financial management under scrutiny.” Another highlights that while external suppliers are often paid regularly, local businesses and self‑employed workers are forced to wait months.
This is the environment into which my invoice – and many others – have disappeared.
The Human Cost of Bureaucratic Delay
For freelancers and small businesses, cash flow is not theoretical. It is the foundation of sustainability. A 90‑day delay from a foreign public entity is not just inconvenient – it is destabilising.
Large public organizations can absorb bureaucratic gridlock. Solo operators cannot.
The irony is stark: Transvulcania is a race built on endurance, resilience, and community. Yet the administrative machinery behind it is currently failing the very people who help bring the event to life.
Why I’m Sharing This
This article is not an attack on Transvulcania, La Palma, or the people who make the race extraordinary. My respect for the event remains unchanged. But respect does not erase reality.
I am sharing this because:
- Transparency matters, especially when dealing with public institutions.
- Unauthorized image usage is a serious breach, not a minor oversight.
- Multiple suppliers and even podium athletes remain unpaid, indicating systemic issues.
- Small businesses deserve timely payment, not months of silence.
- Professional relationships rely on communication, and when that breaks down, trust erodes.
What Comes Next
I am now taking formal steps, including issuing a Burofax – the legally certified communication method in Spain that provides proof of content and delivery. This is not a step I take lightly, but after three months without payment or response, it has become necessary.
I remain hopeful that this situation can be resolved promptly and professionally. But hope alone cannot sustain a business.
A Final Thought
Transvulcania celebrates endurance. It asks runners to climb, descend, and push through adversity. But endurance should not be a requirement for getting paid – nor should it be demanded of photographers, journalists, speakers, or even podium athletes.
Public entities must do better. Not only for international collaborators like myself, but for the local businesses and freelancers who are the backbone of La Palma’s economy.
Respect, professionalism, and timely payment are not luxuries. They are obligations.
Links and references HERE – HERE – HERE
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 1ST:
A payment for my work at Transvulcania 2026 was finally received today, 1st September.
It is perplexing that the process required me to resort to social media, publish an article, issue a Burofax, and seek assistance from sports governing bodies in order to obtain a payment that should have arrived weeks – if not months ago. All of this would have been entirely avoidable with clear, timely communication from Sodepal.
Despite the commitment expressed by Nieves in her email in July, she did not respond to any of my follow-up emails. The prolonged silence directly contributed to the escalation that followed. Professional, transparent communication would have resolved this matter swiftly and without unnecessary friction.
It is important, however, to acknowledge and appreciate the response and action taken by Sodepal over the past seven days, which ultimately led to the payment being processed.
That said, I must highlight that several other suppliers have still not been paid, and at least two elite athletes have informed me that they have yet to receive their prize money. The underlying issues therefore remain, and the wider situation continues to affect multiple contributors.
Instagram – @iancorlessphotography
Twitter – @talkultra
facebook.com/iancorlessphotography
Web – www.iancorless.com
IAN CORLESS 