McDonald’s organizes women’s 5K race across Latin America

Women from 15 cities throughout Latin America will take to the streets Sunday, Oct. 30, to participate in Las Mujeres Corremos (Women Run) 5K races. Organizers expect 40,000 runners to participate in the simultaneous event intended to encourage physical activity.

McDonald’s fast-food chain is organizing the San José race in conjunction with Costa Rica’s Runners stores and other corporate sponsors. To introduce the event, a breakfast was held Oct. 18 at the McDonald’s at Parque de la Paz in south San José. Radio personality Victoria Fuentes, television personalities Viviana Calderón and Carolina Sánchez and model Leonora Jiménez attended the function and discussed the importance of sports and a healthy lifestyle.

“The 5K distance will attract both running enthusiasts and amateurs,” McDonald’s Human Resource Manager Maureen Davila said at the event. “Our hope is to encourage physical activity with the race.”

Proceeds from the San José race will go toward construction of Costa Rica’s first Ronald McDonald House, set to open in San José in 2012 to serve as a home away from home for families of children receiving treatment for serious illnesses at the National Children’s Hospital (TT, Oct. 14).

The race will begin at 8 a.m. in west San José at the Pavas McDonald’s and finish at the La Sabana Park McDonald’s with a reception to show appreciation for all participants. Entry in the race costs ₡7,000 ($14). Registration, which is limited to 1,000 participants, will be open until 6 p.m. Oct. 29 and may be done at Runners stores in Pavas, Curridabat and Heredia.

For information on the race, go to www.5kmcdonalds.com.