RUN FOR YASUNÍ IN CARCHI

We got the Route 19^th of the 21x24 Challenge in Carchi, Ecuador.

27 athletes ran for LIFE on Easter Sunday, from Mira to Juan Montalvo in Carchi, Ecuador’s northern province.
The 21 kilometers were accomplished in less than 5 minutes by km cause the route was flat and downhilled. The weather helped: a little fog and drizzle with a 12 Celsius degrees temperature in the early morning. Then, at 10am the clouds opened a clear view and we could admire the beauty of the Salinas Valley in that natural terrace that is Mira.

Lourdes Hernandez, the Challenge coordinator, said: "we disagree with the development that builds bridges on polluted rivers, or roads that destroy the forest, great neighborhoods with garbage dumps or acres of vegetables and fruit crops with chemical taste. That's not progress, nor life. It is Development of the End of the World ... In the other hand, running is pure and sustainable life."

Eddy Venegas, ultramarathoner who ran north to south of Ecuador in 22 days got to the finish line in the first place. Second place, Alvaro Barrera, -a new friend-. Third, Andres Castillo: legendary 21x24Challenge router; Pato Chavez who has record in attendance, and Lida Chamorro, Banco Solidario elite female runner. They completed the leader group.

The Challenge is supported by Banco Solidario, Vivant, Alamo and Fundacion Amazonia por la Vida.
This initiative is transmitted by El Comercio, www.ecuadorenvivo.com, Radio Comunitaria, Radio Quito, Solidario Magazine, www.ruta42.com and local media.

Next routes are:
20. San Cristobal, Galapagos: Sunday May 13 for more information: http://www.cometogalapagosmarathon.com/
21. Riobamba, Urbina, Chimborazo: Sunday June 10
22. Valle Hermoso, La Abundancia, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas: Sunday July 8
23. Patate - Baños, Tungurahua: Sunday August 12
24. Yasuní, Orellana: Sunday 9 September (end of the challenge!)

WE RUN FOR A CAUSE:
TO PROTECT LIFE IN THE YASUNI NATIONAL PARK
ONE OF THE LAST ECOLOGICAL RESERVES IN THE WORLD AND THE MOST BIODIVERSE