Few people in the world have had the opportunity to participate in a race where the route involves passing under the imposing cranes of more than two thousand tons in a port terminal , from which thousands of containers are loaded or unloaded from ships every day in foreign trade transits.
The Contecon Manzanillo Charity Race will once again offer this experience for the second time in its ninth edition (next Sunday, November 8), accompanied by more than 50 sponsoring companies this time.
“We decided to focus on education,” stated José Antonio Contreras, CEO of Contecon Manzanillo , at the press conference where details of the upcoming event were presented. He explained that 100% of the funds raised will be used to remodel and improve school facilities in Manzanillo, the country’s main port for containerized cargo. To date, approximately 80 schools have received funding.
This year, organizers expect a maximum of 5,000 runners to participate . They currently have approximately 1,500 registered runners. The race will be divided into competitive segments of 3, 5.5, and 10 kilometers, with routes through the Contecon Manzanillo and Hazesa terminals (the latter a multi-use facility), as well as external roads such as the port’s second northern access road.
The possibility that a portion of the Manzanillo port’s customs area might be closed to allow for a race requires close coordination between the terminals and the authorities involved in cargo inspection and security. Few events at the Port of Manzanillo have managed to bring together such a large segment of the business community. Social responsibility plays a significant role in this.
This year the godmother of the race will be Paola Espinosa , Mexican diver and two-time Olympic medalist.
“We are very fortunate to work in a beautiful place and be able to be there all the time, but this dynamic of being able to run around inside and be next to these huge ships and cranes is something very special, and last year’s event was truly impressive. I think we will surpass it this year ,” predicted Raúl Sandoval, CEO of Grupo Hazesa .
Throughout its eight past editions, the Contecon Manzanillo Charity Race has been a magnet for runners from across Mexico and around the world. This competition has also served to strengthen the relationship between the local population and port activities , a relationship that often deteriorates when road blockades or traffic incidents occur involving trucking, one of the port’s most visible and controversial aspects.
“We know that education is the path to transforming dreams into reality, and I celebrate that Contecon is channeling the resources generated here to professionalize schools and strengthen the education of children and young people,” said César Romero, CEO of CIMA Group .
For her part, Yohana Hueso, Commercial Director of Grupo TAP , stated that “it is very important that the private sector joins in to help ,” and invited the Manzanillo community to participate in the next race.
Of the money raised in the years since the race began, just over 10 million pesos have been invested and just over 20,000 girls and boys have benefited.
Kit pickup for this ninth race will be on Saturday, November 7th, from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Those interested in registering should visit www.asdeporte.com .
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