14 February 2010

To culminate the fiestas of Cacaopera, the nearest town, a race was held on Sunday morning. Men were to run 10 kilometers, and the women 6, along the highway that runs to the northern part of the country. The highway cuts up and down the mountains, and cars often have difficulty making it up the last hill into town.

I decided to participate. The winner of the men and women each received $100, and the director of CDH, Ramiro, asked me to win and donate the money to buy more medicine. I explained that it was faulty logic to put his hopes on me, as I haven`t really run since arriving in the country. He said, "It doesn`t matter, just run as fast as you can!"

So on Sunday morning Bela and I woke up at 5 am, before the sun came up, and hiked 45 minutes straight up hill to get to the highway. We arrived, sweaty and tired, to wait for the start.

14 women participated; all were over a decade younger than me. It was a really hard run, straight down and straight up, alternating, the whole way. I ran with two high-school age girls, and when we arrived into town, I let them know that I would follow them in but they had to run fast. We all three finished together, which to me was an accomplishment given the terrain!

Bela was there waiting at the finish. He rode in the official race car of the mayor`s office. A girl from Estancia won, her second time in a row.

I feel really good about the race for two reasons. One, I finished, and was not too sore or tired at the end. Two, the race has been happening for many many years, but in August the government decided to allow women to participate. Therefore, this race was only the second that women have been able to run.

After the race, when the cash prize was being distributed, one of the workers in the mayors office came over to chat with me. He asked what sports women are allowed to play in the States. I explained, "All of them." He then borrowed the microphone from the mayor, who was distributing the prize, and said, "I think we have seen today that women can play sports. It is time to stop punishing our daughters if they go out to run, or play soccer, because one day they might be great athletes, like the two-time winner of the women`s race." I looked over, and the winner`s mom had a huge smile on her face.

--Calla