SOLIDARIO 10K for the YASUNI NATIONAL PARK

EL COMERCIO NEWSPAPER SPORTS SECTION: MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013.

 The athletic competition called Solidario 10K por Yasuni (Solidario 10k for Yasuni) took place yesterday as planned. Around 800 elite and amateur competitors were enrolled. They tested their rhythm and measured their timing on a circuit full of obstacles like twigs and pebbles on an irregular surface like El Chaquiñán (The Narrow Path) in the Tumbaco and Cumbaya area.

The race lasted 1 hour and 40 minutes; it began at 8:00 at the Portal La Esperanza area (Hope Portal) kilometer 10.5 and ended at the Colegio Menor San Francisco (San Francisco High School) parking lot. There were hydration points along the path which were located on kilometers 3, 5 and 8. Also, there were 35 police officers that helped us in order to close access to any motor vehicles during the competition; together with 2 ambulances in case of an accident. The objective of this race is to build awareness among athletes about Yasuni, the event was organized in a month and a half and this year it has been become a trademark under the name of Solidario 10K.

The organizers hope that the following editions will have more participants and that more private companies will help promote awareness about this endangered ecological reserve.
At the finish line, runners received a hydration and a recovery  kit that consisted of a pear, an apple, water and a brochure with information about the Yasuni project. Each participant received a medal and a backpack with the competition’s logo.

This is the second year that an athletic race has been held by the same organizers in the Chaquiñán area, last edition was named after Cross Podium, but it was changed because of Banco Solidario’s sponsorship and due to the support of several private companies to the development of this competition.

Cesar Gualotuña was the first runner to reach the finish line in 32 minutes and 56 seconds. He had been training on the race’s circuit with his trainer; they stopped the timer at 35 minutes, two minutes more than what he marked at the race. This very satisfying for Gualotuña, who didn’t find it difficult to come across twigs and pebbles. 

The athlete confessed that this race was useful as a warm up for the Ruta de los Tres Juanes (Three Johns Route) that will take place in Ambato on Friday February 1^st.
In the ladies category, the participant to arrive was Michelle Quimbita, her timing was 40 minutes and 05 seconds. It was this 19 year old runners first time on the podium in this type of competition.

According to Michelle, the last two kilometers of the race were fought for against Angela Guznay (42 minutes and 07 seconds).

Another athlete that arrived among the first places was Milton Tuquerres, the sweat on his forehead and his smile when he crossed the finish line were the result of the effort made on the final parts of the circuit that are all uphill.

This was Milton’s second race on the chaquiñanes (narrow paths). He arrived in fifth place in the last Edition, this year he was fourth.

The winner of the elite category won a $300 cash prize, second place $200 and third place $100. The amateur competitors that arrived in first positions received $60 dollar gift certificates from the local sports store Podium, the event’s athletic organizer.
People of all ages participated in this competition, some people even ran with their pets.
The organizers set up tents and a space with instructors so competitors could stretch after the race.

Solidario 10K competitors can see their official timing at: www.cronopro.com

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