ROUTE #22 SANTO DOMINGO DE LOS TSACHILAS, ACCOMPLISHED!

Only 42 more kilometers to go until we reach the finish line!

In order to raise the awareness of Ecuadorians about how wonderful, unique and valuable our Yasuni National Park is, and the danger that it is going through, we ran the route#22 which was one of our last challenges.

THE RESULTS OBTAINED UNTIL TODAY ARE THE FOLLOWING:

22 Routes ran

Athletes: 415

People helping: 140

Total: 555

Kilometers ran: 441

Publications about the Challenge: 101

Awakening the awareness of the people is a long process. We are a few, but we are strong. We are willing and decided to expand this challenge, fulfill the objectives and accomplish our goals. After running through the Yasuni National Park, we are still determined to keep fighting for the protection of this National Park.

FRANKLIN TENORIO was present during this route

In the talk prior to the start, Franklin Tenorio, with his usual simplicity towards the rest of the athletes said that he felt moved by this initiative from the beginning and has been following with transmitting messages of support the cause that moves the Challenge. This time, things were facilitated, and he could arrive to Santo Domingo to run. He ran with his  13^th year old daughter who feels enthusiastic on following her father’s footsteps and example.

This athlete had never lived a path of adventure as this one was drawn, and despite the hard way, he managed to remain next to the leading group, except for the last 2 kilometers where he took the lead and arrived in the first place.

Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas GREENER THAN EVER

This beautiful route has been the most extreme one to run after Cotopaxi, since it had a 13k rise to 3800 meters high due to the rugged area of loose rocks, hills and a mud path of 3k through a forest with a river crossing and with no help or supplies in that part since it was not a car way.

This 21k race passed through: Rio Verde, San Gabriel de Baba, the ecolodges and reserves Primavera and Buena Tierra, and farms in the area of La Lorena and La Pampa.

Manuel Cobo, fotographer and volunteer ran 12k with the group. Carlos Pullas was accompanied by a cow for a few seconds which caused him a little bit of fear. During the awards ceremony, Eddy Venegas gave Lourdes Hernandez a jar with Yasuni pictures to show her that the Challenge 21x24 has been an inspiration in his life.  A few years ago, Eddy traveled from north to south in Ecuador, and went from Carchi to Macará in 22 days nonstop.

SANTO DOMINGO EXTREME- JULY 8 2012

We were 26 runners, “agents of change.” We seek to achieve that change in mentality for those who live in ignorance and indifference, and for them to expand their knowledge about this territory which is not being valued completely.

We want to show the Government, the local authorities, oil companies, loggers, miners, residents of the Amazon and other stakeholders related to the Yasuni, we are not ignorant or indifferent to their decisions about our homeland, but we are aware and vigilant.

Franklin Jara, one of the runners that has participated in several routes in this Challenge wrote:  “You have 2 more steps to complete your challenge, how admiring. You are leaving footprints for everyone to follow and imitate. With God’s help I hope to join you on the next route.”

There was the valuable support of two national police patrols led by Lieutenant Andres Grijalva. We also have the support of our sponsors: Banco Solidario, Vivant, Alamo, Podium and Amazon for Life Foundation.

The two routes that we are still missing are:

22. Patate- Baños, Tungurahua: Sunday August 5.

23. Yasuní, Orellana: Sunday September 9 (end of the challenge!)

WE RUN FOR A CAUSE:

PROTECT THE LIVE OF THE YASUNI

ONE OF THE LAST ECOLOGICAL RESERVES IN THE WORLD, AND THE ONE WITH THE MOST BIODIVERSITY