IAAF certifies CAF marathon route

(Caracas, January 18, 2011).- The streets of Caracas received Rodolfo Eichler, representing the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), who spent three days making a detailed measurement of the 42 kilometer route of the CAF Marathon.

Although there have been several endurance race initiatives, the CAF Caracas Marathon 2011 will be the first street sports event whose route has been officially measured and therefore internationally certified.

Eichler, who traveled from Brazil to the Venezuelan capital, covered the 42.195 kilometer route by bicycle accompanied by members of the public security forces, members of the Venezuelan Athletics Federation, Hipereventos and the CAF Marathon Organizing Committee.

The group left Los Caobos Park to follow the route which the runners will take on February 20. The procedure which is very thorough requires several days. The first half of the route was measured on Saturday 15 and the other half on Sunday 16. Even on Monday there were still details to be finalized for obtaining the IAAF certification.

So far, the CAF Marathon has nearly 3,000 registered competitors for its two route options. The millions of steps for Latin American integration steps will come together in Caracas from all parts of Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, United States, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, United Kingdom and Uruguay.

To keep everyone interested up to date with all the details and announcements by the organization, CAF Caracas Marathon 2011 has a Twitter account: @maratoncaf2011; a group on Facebook: maratoncaf2011; and email: maratoncaf@caf.com.

Let’s run!

The CAF-Caracas 2011 Marathon is an initiative of CAF – Latin American development bank – organized to celebrate its 40th anniversary, with the aim of stimulating sport as a means of integrated development and strengthening integration. Two routes - 21 km and 42 km – will be run on February 20. For the organization, CAF is working in partnership with the Hipereventos company and has logistical support for security from the Ministry of People's Power for the Interior and Justice, Metropolitan Police, National Police, Civil Defense, Traffic Police, fire departments, and the municipal governments and police of Baruta, Chacao, Libertador and Sucre. Nike and Gatorade are sponsoring the event. For more information visit http://maraton.caf.com