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.

Canto del Sol Tennis Torneo del Century

The Canto Del Sol Tennis Club, with Martin Parra as the director, announced an inaugural tournament to be played beginning April 15th and concluding on April 19th. The format is unique and the tournament is called “The Century Tournament” or “Torneo Del Century.”

The tournament is only doubles and simply it means that the two partners have to have a combined age of 100 years old. Other restrictions are that an “A” player can only play with a “B”, “C” or “D” player as a partner. Any other combinations of teams are acceptable; no professionals will be allowed to compete.

There will be a limit of 16 teams and they will be broken up into four divisions, where they will play a round robin format. Each team plays one another and only the winner of the divisions will advance to the semifinals. A benefit of the format is that every team is guaranteed to play a minimum of three matches and the eventual champions will need to play five matches.

The cost to participate is $500 pesos per person and there will be special trophies awarded to the finalists and champions. More than half of the 16 slots are already taken, so sign up at the Canto Del Sol Tennis Club or call 226-0123, ext 4187 to secure a place in this new and unique event. Registration ends April 14th.

The VI International Soccer Copa Vallarta 2008
May 14 to 18, 2008

Night Time Rodeo

For a taste of the *real* real Mexico and its culture, this show is perfect: Total immersion and acculturation. Hang on for a wild ride if you go.

LOCATION: At the Lienzo Charro Real Del Zarrco, April 5, 7pm.
WEBSITE: http://www.cuernoschuecos.com/
PRICE: 180 pesos advance, 200 at the door. Children 100 pesos.

[youtube RaURvGbPPig Cuernos Chuecos]

Lucha Libre on Saturday, March 1 at 7pm at the Lienzo Charro Miguel “Prieto” Ibarría in Puerto Vallarta in Colonia Mojoneras (not far from the Central Bus Station past the airport – See Our Map Below).

Prices are $120 pesos for ringside seats, 80 for general (advance purchase), and 150/100 at the door.

LOCATION MAP