A great success: first annual La Paz 3.600 walking race

(La Paz, November 15, 2009).- With great success the first annual "La Paz 3,600 walking race" was held with over 4,500 participants who covered the 10 km from the bus terminal to the Hernando Siles Stadium. The race was in defense of the right of the population to practice sport in the place where they were born or live, in this case, the city of La Paz at 3,600 meters above sea level. Thanks to the backing of the Traffic Operations Unit and the National Police, the streets covered by the competition were kept clear during the event.

Hundreds of balloons floating into the air marked the start of the competition whose main feature was the broad and enthusiastic participation of athletes and sports fans, men and women, boys and girls and teenagers, with the special presence of athletes with special capacities.

The athletes received hydration at the most difficult points and at the finish. The first 3,600 competitors were given drinks with high levels of potassium and magnesium, as well as a commemorative medal.

The first three places in each category received 1,400 bolivianos, 700 for second places and 350 for third places. Trophies were also presented to the best in the competition and Banco BISA, sponsor of the event, opened a savings account with an initial amount of US$100 to the first places for winners aged up to 35 and US$50 for the 36 to 45 age category.

The sports event was the initiative of CAF as part of its permanent promotion of sport as a tool for strengthening human capital. The event was also backed by the La Paz Municipal Government (GMLP) and private businesses. The multilateral organization announced that this competition would be repeated next year in the city and hopefully in other cities in the future.

The companies that made possible this competition were: Banco BISA, La Vitalicia and BISA Seguros, Laboratorios Droguería INTI, Coca-Cola, Gimnasio Go Fitness, AFP Futuro, GrafTec, La Cuisine, Hipermercados Ketal, Delizia and Bolsa Banca y Comercio law firm, which under their Social Responsibility policies support “Practice sport where you live.”

WINNERS

Category under 30 (male) 1. Richard Mamani 2. Reynaldo Huany 3. Franklin Adiviri

Category under 30 (female) 1. Helen Baltezar. 2. Gisela Vera. 3. Beatriz Vera.

Category Adults 30 to 45 (male) 1. Edwin Martinez 2. Wilson Quispe 3. Antonio Mamani.

Category Adults 30 to 45 (female) 1. Justina Callizaya 2. Estela Riva 3. Tania Urquieta.

Category over 45 (male) 1. Jorge Poma. 2. Mariano Mamani. 3. Cristóbal Machaca.

Category over 45 (female) 1. Cristina Ticona. 2. Ana Morena. 3. Grises Fajordo.

Category special capacities (male) 1. Ramiro Chávez 2. Gitlon Calani 3. Alejandro Tarqui.

Category special capacities (female) 1. Martha Mamani 2. Karina Flores 3. Tania Quispe.