City streets decked out in yellow for the La Paz 3600 10K race

(La Paz, November 7, 2010).- The second La Paz 3600 10K race, organized by CAF - Latin American development bank - and the La Paz Autonomous Government Municipal (GAMLP), under the slogan "Do sport," met with total success and the participation of over 7,500 sports enthusiasts. As the absolute winners, Eduardo Aruquipa (34´) and Beatríz Quispe (42´) will represent the country in the CAF Marathon in Caracas, Venezuela, next February.

CAF representative in Bolivia Emilio Uquillas started the race for the thousands of competitors who had gathered very early around Plaza del Estudiante. The route followed Puentes Trillizos – which was used for the first time in a public event – and the streets and avenues of Sopocachi, Miraflores, Villa Armonía, Villa San Antonio, Villa Copacabana, and the city center, which were all the scene of a real sports festival since the competition was marked by the enthusiastic participation of elite athletes and amateurs, women and men, girls and boys, young people, senior sportspersons and athletes with special capabilities.

Thanks to the support of the Bolivian police, 10 kilometers of the route were kept traffic free, maintaining the security of corridors and the large public turnout lining the route. This year the event was brightened up by performances of musical numbers, dance demonstrations and other attractions which the organizing institutions and sponsor companies offered to motivate runners and spectators.

At the finish, the first 5,000 competitors received a special sports snack and commemorative medals and, in a special event held in Plaza Camacho, the athletes who won the top three positions in the five categories received prizes of U$200, 100, and 50, making a total of US$3,400.

The sporting event is an initiative of CAF, as part of its permanent support for promotion of sport as a tool to build human capital, and the La Paz Autonomous Municipal Government (GAMLP) which promotes sport in the municipality, with support from local private business.

The companies which made this competition possible are: Banco BISA, La Vitalicia, BISA Seguros, Laboratorios Droguería INTI, Coca-Cola, Fagal, Imagenbol, Gimnasio Premier Fitness Club, GrafTec, La Cuisine, Fisiosalud, Bolsa Banca y Comercio, El Monocromático, and Extend Comunicaciones which under their social responsibility policies support the "Do sport where you live" campaign.

CAF – Latin American development bank – has the mission of stimulating sustainable development and regional integration by financing projects in the public and private sectors, and providing technical cooperation and other specialized services. Founded in 1970 and currently with 18 member countries from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe along with 14 private banks, CAF is one of the main sources of multilateral financing and an important generator of knowledge for the region. For more information visit www.caf.com.