Quindío prepares for the 2023 Half Marathon: here's how you can participate

Sports enthusiasts will have an important date in 2023, as the department of Quindío will host one of the region's most prominent athletics events. This region of the country is gearing up for the Quindío Half Marathon, a competition that will welcome both professional and amateur athletes in March and will feature various categories.

According to Sebastián Restrepo , the event director, the race will be held on March 26th to benefit the Western Oncologists Foundation, with the goal of donating the money raised to the foundation. This time, the race will be divided into kilometers, and more than 3,000 participants are expected.

"That will be an event we will hold on March 26, 2023, to benefit the Western Oncologists Foundation . It's an event where we project 3,500 people will participate in three distances: 21K , which is the Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K, which is for the family, a recreational category throughout the Parque del Café," Restrepo explained to Infobae .

Attendees will be able to enjoy the landscapes of the department, focusing on the area surrounding the traditional Parque del Café on the arteries connecting Montenegro with Pueblo Tapao . Coffee and banana plantations will be the centerpieces, and the race will feature world-class athletes, as well as amateurs who want to participate.

"The 21K and 10K races will take place around Parque del Café, in the corridor between Montenegro and Tapao, one of the most beautiful routes in the department of Quindío. It's an athletic activity or race endorsed by the Colombian Athletics Federation , and we're on the federation's calendar, where we expect elite and recreational athletes," he explained.

Categories and registration

While the event is open to the public, please note that there are several segments for attendees to participate in. The Half Marathon itself will have a 21K course, which runs from the Parque del Café Lookout Tower in Montenegro to Pueblo Tapao and finally returns to the park.

"The finish line will be in the main plaza of Parque del Café. We have four categories for the 21 and 10 km distances: the Open Category, Master A, Master B, and Master C, where the competition focuses on those between 18 and 70 years old," explained the competition director.

The 5K route will be shorter and will take place within the Parque del Café. The organizing committee explained that registration fees range from 135,000 to 150,000 pesos. In addition, 23 million pesos will be allocated for prizes in the various categories.

“The registration fee is 150,000 pesos for the 21K, 145,000 pesos for the 10K, and 135,000 pesos for the 5K. The 5K also invites families to explore Parque del Café and its attractions, participating in this wonderful sport,” said Sebastián Restrepo.