The North is ready for the Off Road Running Challenge

Arquimedes Hernández | Jul 2, 2013

Today the new VerdEventos event ‘’Off Road Running Challenge’’ was officialy presented at a press conference, with the participation of officials of the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR), along with representatives from Apanas tour, ViaNica.com and the USAID Conservation Program and Sustainable Tourism (USAID) implemented by Fhi 360,

The event will be held in the mountains in northern area of Nicaragua, in the Natural Reserve Tisey - The Estanzuela, located nine kilometers from the city of Esteli. The event will start at 9 in the morning, reported Felipe Zeas, representative from Apanas tour Jinotega. He also said that the main objective of this activity is to raise awareness of the natural beauty and tourist potential of the North area of Nicaragua, and also to promote the sports through tourism.

NOTE: from Esteli Central Park will will be a free bus that will go to the competition location at 8:00 am on Sunday July 7th.

There are 4 categories in the competition:

• 10K Elite: for skilled runners, and members of the army, police and Red Cross. Circuit: 10 kilometers.
• Male 10K: Free for male runners category over 16 years. Circuit: 10 kilometers.
• Female 5K: free category for female runners over 16 years. Circuit: 5 kilometers.
• Family 5K: special category which will involve a family team consisting of a adult couple (man and woman) plus a child between 10 and 15 years. Three participants will be a group. circuit: 5 kilometers.

More information about the event: Off Road Running Challenge

Registrations are still open, and can be done CANATUR offices in Managua, located in Los Robles, from Monte España Hospital, 3 blocks north and 20 meters east (building of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce). In Esteli at INTUR offices. And online through a form on ViaNica.com.

At the end of the race the first place will be awarded with cash and for the second and third place trophies will be made ​​by local craftsmen, said Zeas. He also indicated the local conditions where competition will be held since the place has an accommodation capacity for 70 people.

With such innovative events they pretend to present a different offer to tourists, said David Ball, grant programs officer, of the Conservation Program and Sustainable Tourism developed by the entity Fhi 360. This activity is being supported with funds and technical assistance of individuals who develop the activity, said Ball, so no doubt they have created something sustainable with the people benefit.

Meanwhile, Walter Bühler, CANATUR vice-secretary, said that this types of events comes to promote tourism in Nicaragua so that Nicaraguans themselves get to know and value their country. Bühler said this is the third event that is promoted so far this year in the northern part of the country. And for the results they are already preparing for next year, to replicate the challenges of rowing and kayaking and mountain biking in order to take on an international level.

Translated by Cynthia Cordero