Running and Reggae in Tamarindo for a Good Cause. With free video.
This weekend I participated in the Ruta La Paz event here in Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
Over 350 runners, 500 spectators, and 50 volunteers came together to participate in Ruta La Paz II, a 5km & 10km run followed by an afternoon of live music by Costa Rican Reggae Band Ojo de Buey on the beach in Tamarindo this past Saturday, November 19th.
La Paz’s commitment to creating a professionally run community event that brings together people from all of the surrounding communities in the name of healthy sport was clearly achieved. The $5,000 profit from the event is being dedicated to the La Paz Community School scholarship fund which is committing $80,000 this year alone to the education of 22 highly motivated local La Paz students.
Following the overwhelming success of Ruta La Paz II, the school community is already eager to begin planning for Ruta La Paz III in November of 2012.
Running and Reggae in Tamarindo for a Good Cause Video
Thanks to all of the event sponsors for supporting such an important community event. Nogui’s Restaurant, The Jungle Gym, RipJack Inn, Ecotrans, Las Catalinas, Newton Store Center, GNC, Fischel, Costa Frut, Grupo Líneas Básicas, Ticocar, Torres Limited Partnership, Pura Vida Ride, Punta Playa Vistas, Kölbi, Ateso, Banco de Costa Rica, Ojo de Buey, CPI Language Schools, Mandarina, Auto Mercado, Don Brasilito’s, Plycem, Cala Luna and Gatorade.
The event consisted of a free beach dash for the youngest of runners, a 5k/10k race and sunset concert with Costa Rican latin reggae band, Ojo de Buey. The inaugural 2010 year was a huge success — over 500 participants came out to run, cheer on their friends, and/or enjoy the live music at sunset.
This year, the goal of Ruta La Paz II was to build on that success and continue to unite participants of all ages and skills through positive healthy sport while raising funds for scholarships at La Paz Community School. All proceeds from Ruta La Paz are dedicated to the La Paz Scholarship Program, which currently provides scholarships for 21 motivated students.
The program allows the school to accommodate various socioeconomic levels, bridging the resource gap between the families in the community.
My son attends Escuela La Paz and my wife and I thought this would be a great way to support a good cause for his school. I also thought it would be a good experience since I’ve never ran in an organized race and, it would show me how fit I am.
Our son participated in the kids race. He is only 3½ and ran with many of his classmates and other kids who met along the beach. To my surprise he ran the entire way and not only ran, but ran hard!
It was really great to see these kids running down the beach and then to see how happy they were at the finish line. Watching the kids receiving their medals was truly an awesome moment for me as a Dad. Kian (my son) was so proud of his medal and so were we…
Next the 10k participants began followed by the 5k runners. This was my first organized race so I thought I’d start out easy with a 5k. About the mid-way point I started to realize that 5k is best traveled by car or at least a bike, but running the entire way can truly be challenging even for someone who considers himself to be in fairly decent physical condition.
I finished the race with a time somewhere around 28 minutes. I believe the winning time in the male category was around 19 minutes. I’m still waiting for all the details of the times and stats to be posted.
Each runner was provided with a race packet that included a dry-fit shirt, number, time chip, and promotional items, but the time chip should have captured my “real time” finish.
After the race we enjoyed lots of fresh Costa Rican fruit and cold water and later, my son and I swam and watched a beautiful Tamarindo sunset while listening to the live music by Ojo de Buey. We then went home to enjoy a cold shower and lots of post-race pizza as I was carbo-loading in preparation for my next race!
It was truly a great day for a great cause!
Running and Reggae in Tamarindo for a Good Cause. With free video.
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Andrew Makarik
to@welovecostarica.comAndrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.
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