Lace Up Your Running Shoes for PEACE
by Laura Gelezunas

It’s time to hit the links, so to speak, for the children in Nayarit. The Third Annual Casa Comunidad 5K Run and Family Walk takes place on April 27, 2008 at El Tigre Golf Course in Nuevo Vallarta. Actually there is more fun. Also offered, a 2.5K Friends and Family Walk plus a Bicycle Parade with prizes for the best decorated bike.

The event hits the starting blocks at 9 am. All participants and fans should meet at the Athletic Club inside the El Tigre Golf Course. Please park outside the north gate.

Schedule of Events:

• 9:00 am – 5k Fun Run (Be at the starting line by 8:45 am)
• 9:45 am – 2.5 km Bike Parade (Be there by 9:30 am)
• 10:00 am – 2.5 km Friends and Family Walk (Be at the starting line by 9:30 am. Strollers are welcome.)

Registration Fee:

• $200 pesos for one event and $300 pesos for both events.

Racers are encouraged to find sponsors for themselves in order to collect more donations for Casa Comunidad. T-shirts are given to those who raise over $200 pesos and fun prizes will be awarded to the top fund raisers!

If you wish to register before the event call Penney Davis at 329 295 5541 or you can register on race day. But if you wait until race day, give yourself plenty of time.

The races start inside the north gates of El Tigre Golf Course and wind their way through the course, so it is very safe.

The money raised will go towards supporting the many community programs run under Casa Comunidad, which is one of the programs run by PEACE – a non-profit agency in the US and Mexico.

Currently assisting over 700 people, Casa Comunidad provides children and adults with programs and opportunities to develop the necessary skills to be successful, positive contributors to their multi-cultural and multilingual communities. This includes classes in English, after-school programs which features, sports, folk dancing and adventure education, just to name a few. Many of the children involved in Casa Comunidad will be participating in the event.

Come join the fun for a worthy cause!

Click HERE to learn more about PEACE. For more information about PEACE or Casa Comunidad please visit www.PeaceMexico.org.

Racing Fun & Charity

FOLLOWUP:
On your mark, get set, go! The whistle blew and competitors made their way on the racecourse for the third annual Casa Comunidad 5K event on April 27, 2008. Over 100 ran, walked and even rode their bikes. The morning weather was perfect for this fun event.

Over $40,000 pesos was raised for Casa Comunidad, which is one of the programs run by PEACE, a non-profit agency in the U.S. and Mexico. Currently assisting over 700 people, Casa Comunidad programs include classes in English for children and adults, after-school programs which feature, sports, folk dancing, arts and crafts and adventure education, just to name a few.

PEACE would like to thank their sponsors: El Tigre, La Cruz Realty, Liverpool, The Four Seasons, Truqui Construction and Villa Anada, plus all those who participated.

Medals were awarded for top finishers and everyone received a t-shirt to commemorate the event.

The community of the Friendliest City in the World, Puerto Vallarta, along with the Office of Tourism, the Hotel Association and the Jalisco Secretary of Tourism and event sponsors, through the organization body with the consent of the Mexican Athletic Federation, invite Running Clubs, and the general public, to participate in the 6th Annual Puerto Vallarta International Half Marathon & 5k Run on Sunday, November 2nd, 2008.

This race is a dream come true! Walk, trot or run 5K or 21K along one of the most beautiful routes in México. Along the way, you will enjoy beautiful scenery, excellent weather and live Mexican music, making every kilometer fun!

Date: Sunday, November 2nd, 2008

Starting Time: 6:50 am – Half Marathon runners and 7 am – 5K runners

The Course: Start and finish lines will be located at the Municipal Stadium Agustín Flores Contreras near the Sheraton Hotel. Heading north on Francisco Medina Ascencio Avenue, Caracol Plaza, Pitillal Bridge, Peninsula Plaza, Marina Pier, Sam’s Club, Navy Base, Marina Vallarta, Marina Plaza, International Airport, Corona Beer Building, turning back at the Crucero de Las Juntas to race your way back to the finish line.

Rules: The race will be governed by the current rules of the Mexican Athletic Federation.

Registration: Must be completed no later than Saturday, November 1st, 2008. There will be no registration the day of the event. You may register during the Expo at the Municipal Stadium “Agustin Flores Contreras” from 9 am to 7 pm, or you can register online at Active.com.

Categories & Divisions (Male & Female):
• Open – 18-39 years
• Master A – 40-49 years
• Master B – 50-59 years
• Master C – 60+

Entry Fees: $20 USD p/p. No refunds. Race is limited to 1600 runners

Runners Receive:
• T-Shirt
• Bib Number
• Medal
• Drinking water along the route
• Medical assistance during the event
• Washrooms
• Signs along the way

Prize Money: $180,000 Mexican Pesos to be divide between all categories and divisions in the all trail. A 7% discount for the Mexican Athletic Federation applies for the Mexican athletes, and 14% for foreigners athletes. Competitor can’t change categories. Prizes are only given to winners with ID and a bib number. All prizes must be collected within 30 days.

Water Stations, Medical Assistance & Washrooms: At the finish line and every 2 kilometers (2K, 4K, 6K, 8K, 10K)

Lockers: Service from 6 am you can use this service with you bib number.

Medical Exam: We recommend you have a Medical Exam before participating in the event. Our organization committee, the Municipal or State Authorities and our sponsor, are not responsible for accident or death before, during, or after the event.

Marathon Judges: There will be Marathon Judges along the course. The decisions of the judges are final. The runners have to have the number on the front of the shirt or they will be disqualified.

For more information, visit the event website at MaratonVallarta.com.

MEXICO WINS!

Thursday, April 17

• 5:15pm » USA – Costa Rica
• 6:30 » El Salvador – México

Friday, April 18

• 5:15 » USA – El Salvador
• 6:30 » México – Costa Rica

Saturday, April 19

• 5:15 » Costa Rica – El Salvador
• 6:30 » México – USA (the BIG game!!!)

Sunday, April 20

• The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 Qualifier CONCACAF Puerto Vallarta event will close on April 20th with an exhibition match between a selection of All Stars and Mexico’s National Beach Soccer team. The All Star team will be formed by the best players of the tournament mixed with some International Stars from Europe and South America.

The best two teams from CONCACAF qualify for the Championship Cup Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 in Marseilles, France, from 17 to 27 July.

WEBSITE: http://beachsoccer.com/

The games will all be played at the Unidad Deportiva Municipal Agustin Flores Contreras, also known as the “Sports Stadium,” which is across the street from the Sheraton in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone.

Sand will be imported “environmentally” from beaches and returned when the tournament concludes. Extra seating will be brought in to increase the stadium’s capacity by at least 5000 seats. Word on the streets is that the next competition will be held in a location that will have *real* beaches for teams to compete on.

There are five different qualifying events around the globe, each representing all continents. The top two teams from each qualifier will advance to the World Championship in Marseilles, France.

USA and Mexico were the winners of last year’s competition and both went on to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2007, where Mexico surprised the world by reaching the final in their first ever participation at a World Cup stage. Mexico eventually lost the final against World Champions Brazil.

Television broadcasts of the event will be carried by AIM Sports (online), ESPN, RT (Middle Eastern and North African Television), plus media from the individual countries involved.