Posted: Friday, January 13, 2017. 2:49 p.m. CST.
By BBN Staff: The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic is hosting the first ever Chiquibul Challenge Marathon, to be held on March 12.
The challenge will feature activities including:
Running or walking a half marathon (20km), or going the full distance (40km) in one of the most beautiful and pristine places on Earth.
Half Marathon Entrance Fee: BZ $150 for Belizean nationals and residents; US $150 for international participants. Full Marathon Entrance Fee: BZ $200 for Belizean nationals and residents; US $200 for international participants.
A ranger challenge: The organization is challenging Belize’s Protected Areas Management Organizations to enter their fittest rangers to square off and decide which organization has the fittest Rangers in Belize!
They are also encouraging Protected Areas Management Organizations to seek sponsorship for their rangers. Limited sponsorship will be offered by the Chiquibul Challenge Marathon organizers for conservation organizations.
Fees will cover runners transportation to and from San Ignacio to Las Cuevas on the 11th, an overnight stay with dinner & breakfast at Las Cuevas Research Station, and marathon entrance.
The goal is to minimize any negative impact and trash, so there will be no plastic water bags and all runners have to bring a minimum of a 1 Litre (recommended is 2 Litre) water system or bottle to refill. There will be one water station on the course and participants will have to stop to refill.
The goal of the marathon is to increase awareness of the Chiquibul, its beauty and threats, and to celebrate fitness. Proceeds of this race will be shared between two non-profit conservation organizations: Friends for Conservation & Development (FCD) and the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic (BWRC) to support its conservation work with the Scarlet Macaws of the Chiquibul in partnership with FCD.
On their social media page, the organization said that they need lots of volunteers, sponsors for transportation, food and water, Gatorade, prize money, and station prizes, medals, t-shirts and printing. Race officials, time keepers, massage therapists and a clean-up crew are also necessary.
For more information on this event, contact Dr. Isabelle Paquet-Durand bzwildlifeclinic@gmail.com or Justin Ford at jford@belizewildlifeclinic.org
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