Cesar Fernandez and Irma Vila, absolute leaders in the V version of the La Paz 3600 10K

 (La Paz, October 27, 2013). Athletes Cesar Fernandez and Irma Vila were crowned winners of the V versions of the La Paz 3600 10K race, organized by CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, in alliance with the Autonomous Municipal Government of La Paz (GAMLP, for its acronym in Spanish) and the support of several private enterprises. Both athletes won Bolivia's representation, with all expenses paid, in the Caracas 2014 Marathon, which will be held on February 24th in Caracas.           

Cesar Fernandez, from the B category (adult males) finished the race in 32 minutes and 13 seconds, and was the first to cut the ribbon. He was received by applauses and fanfare in the midst of a real sports party. In the female category, the winner was Irma Vila from the C category (youths) with a time of 37 minutes and 49 seconds.                  

Despite the persistent drizzle since early in the morning, more than 9,000 sportspeople met at the Plaza Villarroel starting at 7:00 in the morning. From this point, they started the race, giving life to the city's streets and avenues, decorating them with the yellow color of the t-shirts that were given at the beginning of the competition. 

The race continued through Av. Busch up to the Plaza del Estadio Hernando Siles, following Av. Simón Bolívar, streets Juan de la Riva, Mercado and Ayacucho, Av. 16 de julio (El Prado), Plaza del Estudiante, Av. 6 de agosto, Aspiazu, Av. Ecuador, Plaza España, Presbítero Medina, Ascarrunz, Av. Sánchez Lima, Plaza Abaroa, Pedro Salazar, Plaza Isabel la Católica, Puente de Las Américas, Plaza Triangular, Litoral and Villalobos, Av. Rene Zabaleta, and finished at the Puentes Trillizos (Independencia, Union and Libertad). 

Emilio Uquillas, CAF's Representative in Bolivia, who also entered the race, highlighted the enthusiasm of whole families (parents and children) who participated in the competition, as well as of the entrepreneurial groups who organized to compete in La Paz 3600 10K.  

He stated that "the competition is consolidating as a symbol of the people of La Paz, and a meeting space for CAF, the municipality, the private enterprise and the people in the city. In addition, this year we wanted to incorporate awareness to the race regarding the use and importance of water, a noble cause the 9,000 competitors supported with all their hearts". 

As in every other year, the race was also the scenario of different initiatives from sponsoring companies which, withbatucadas, sports fans, music, and other activities cheered the competitors and supported them to complete the 10 K race.  

At the finish line, the first 3,600 athletes received metals, and ecological bag packs were handed out, while refreshments were provided for all the participants. The sports event closed with the award ceremony, where the three first runners in the four categories established -A (over 40 years old); B (20 to 40 years old); C (younger than 20 years old); and D (people with special capacities - wheel chairs)- obtained trophies and cash prices for USD 300, USD 150 and USD 50, respectively. 

The sponsors of the competition were: Grupo Financiero BISA, Coca Cola and AGB; the companies that supported it were: TIGO, Proyecto Huella Hídrica, Princesa, Imagenbol, Droguería INTI, Amaszonas and Gimnasio GO.  

Table of Results 

Distance: 10 kilometers  (10K)

Absolute winners 

Cesar Fernandez (32 minutes and 13 seconds)

Irma Vila (37 minutes and 49 seconds) 

A Category Seniors over 40 years old (males)

1st. Mario Medrano (34 minutes 33 seconds)

2nd. Eduardo Quispe (34 minutes 54 seconds)

3rd. Constancio Velasco (35 minutes 07 seconds) 

Categoría A Seniors mayores a 40 años (damas)

1st. Carla Velazquez (40 minutes 58 seconds)

2nd Viviana Choquehuanca (42 minutes 56 seconds)

3rd. Cristina Ticona (43 minutes 48 seconds) 

B Category Adults between 20 and 40 years old (males)

1st. Cesar Fernandez (32 minutes 13 seconds)

2nd. Ruddy Callisaya (34 minutes 29 seconds)

3rd. Damiron Chambi (34 minutes 42 seconds) 

B Category adults between 20 and 40 years old (female)

1st. Paola Quispe (38 minutes 50 seconds)

2nd. Andrea Aquise (41 minutes 10 seconds)

3er. Jhovana Morejon (41 minutes 23 seconds)  

Categoría C Juveniles menores de 20 años (varones)

1er. Wilder Quispe (32 minutos 58 segundos)

2do. Limbert Apaza (33 minutos 31 segundos)

3er. Javier Laura (33 minutos 38 segundos)

Categoría C Juveniles menores de 20 años (damas)

1er. Irma Vila (37 minutos 49 segundos)

2do. Tereza Callisaya (41 minutos 38 segundos)

3er. Yenny Estrada (42 minutos 55 segundos) 

Distancia: 5.2 kilómetros (5.2K)

Categoría D Deporte integrado-capacidades diferenciadas  (varones)

1er. Yeonil Calle.

2do. Ramiro Chávez.

3er. Gary Ramírez.

Categoría D Deporte integrado-capacidades diferenciadas  (damas)

1er. Victoria Flores.

2do. Rosmery Mamani

3er. Elizabeth Machaca.

Más información en www.lapaz3600-10k.com; Twitter:@lapaz3600_10K; Facebook:Carrera 3600 La Paz.