The II Half Marathon Tavira – CPSE Liberty Seguros will have «550 to 600 registered athletes», while 300 people are expected for the family walk. These are the main numbers predicted by the organization for the race, which has three sides – Half Marathon (21 kilometers), Mini Marathon (12,5 kilometers) and family walk (7,5 kilometers) – and which is scheduled for next Sunday , November 20th, in Tavira.
José Barradas, president of the Casa do Povo of Santo Estêvão, who is mainly responsible for organizing the race, revealed, at the press conference for the presentation of the Half Marathon, that, until last Friday, there had already been «350 registered, from France, Spain, England, Germany and Portugal, from various parts of the country and even the islands». But, he stressed, "in the last two or three days is that the bulk of registrations will take place."
In addition to the record of participations, another novelty is the route, which passes through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the municipality of Tavira, on the edge of the Ria Formosa or in the streets of the historic city itself.
The start and finish will be at Praça da República, the large square in front of the Town Hall of Tavira and next to the River Gilão, but the route of the three sides of the event extends along the riverside of the city to Quatro Águas, passing through the beautiful area of Salinas, then returns to Tavira, passing by the old Convento das Bernardas, following the Barracks, passing by the station, descending again to Praça da República. In the case of the Half Marathon, as there are more kilometers, the athletes will cross the São Domingos bridge to the other side of Gilão.
“For the athletes and for those taking part in the family walk, it will be a very beautiful course”, guaranteed José Barradas. But even for those just watching, there will be several points of interest: «whoever is here to watch the competition will be able to see the athletes in two or three spots». And there will even be musicians playing live along the way.
The person responsible for organizing the event was also keen to emphasize the solidarity aspect. The 7,5-kilometre family walk has a subscription that costs 2 euros, but this sum goes to two IPSS in the municipality: the Casa do Povo in Luz de Tavira and the Social Center of Santo Estêvão.
But because what is intended is to have a party day, in Praça da República there will be lots of entertainment, with «live music, space for families, entertainers, inflatables, exhibition of products in the area of sports, trade in specific products and equipment for running».
José Barradas also highlighted the involvement of the various clubs and associations in the municipality: «to set up an activity of this dimension, we have 100 volunteers, many from local associations».
Lara Ramos, president of the Algarve Athletics Association, highlighted the “fantastic course” of the event and its “source of future projection, which is very large”. But the responsible was not surprised, since «Tavira, suddenly, took a big leap into the sport».
This was highlighted by Mayor Jorge Botelho, who recalled that, «in 2009, the number of people doing sports around municipal programs was 300. Now there are 2500. went from three to nine».
The mayor added that, at the moment, «10% of the municipality's population is linked to these municipal sports programs. There are few lands in the country that have so many people involved».
Jorge Botelho, after saying that the success of municipal programs also involves partnerships established with associations, expressed his "great joy" at seeing athletics grow in Tavira: "there are two clubs that are starting to be a reference, we are starting to give important steps in this modality».
Speaking of promoting healthy lifestyles, the mayor said that the commitment to sport and physical activity has everything to do with the Mediterranean Diet, that heritage of humanity of which Tavira is the representative Portuguese community. “There is a connection here between the Mediterranean Diet, quality of life, sport, active and healthy living”.
Jorge Botelho pointed out that, next weekend, Tavira will be vibrant with activities. In the city's churches, on Saturday and Sunday, there will be three concerts. In Praça da República, on Saturday morning, there will be an Oath of Flag. On Sunday, the Half Marathon, the Mini Marathon and the Marcha Familiar will bring hundreds of people downtown.
«Tavira is just that: finding desires, making the economy happen. Ensuring that whoever comes to Tavira has a lot to do, in culture, sport, gastronomy. This will fill restaurants, hotels, commercial spaces. It's good for Tavira, but above all it's good for the Algarve. The Algarve all year round is not just about saying things. It's doing it!”, concluded Chamber President Jorge Botelho.
To organize a competition that José Barradas, president of the CPSE, wants to become «a reference in the Algarve, in the country and even internationally», will be spent 16 thousand euros.
But, as the official underlined, “there are many entries from foreigners, many Spaniards and even Portuguese who come from outside the Algarve. They will come the day before, they will sleep here, they will eat here, they will take a souvenir». And it is the county's economy that takes advantage of all this.
About the economic impact of the race, the mayor Jorge Botelho has no doubts: «multiply that amount by six or seven» of the 16 thousand euros.
Applications for Meia and Mini can be made until November 16th, Wednesday, on the website www.cronosport.pt. Enrollment in the Solidary Family March can be done at the Dr Eduardo Mansinho Municipal Pavilion or at the Todos a Caminhar Municipal Project. But those from outside the municipality can also register on the same day, at the race secretariat, set up in Praça da República, next to the City Hall.
The Godmother of the Tavira CPSE Liberty Seguros Half Marathon is Aurora Cunha, a Portuguese athlete already retired from competitions. As a professional, he stood out in cross-country, middle-distance and deep-country competitions. Olympic athlete, she was world road champion for three consecutive years — 1984, 1985 and 1986 — and won the Paris (1988), Tokyo (1988), Chicago (1990) and Rotterdam (1992) marathons, as well as the São Silvestre de São Paulo in 1988.
The Tavira Half Marathon has the main support of Liberty Seguros, Ozadi Running Hotel, as well as support from the Municipality of Tavira and the Parishes of Tavira and Luz de Tavira and Santo Estevão, among many others. The Algarve Athletics Association is a partner in the event.
Click here to know the route of the Tavira Half Marathon CPSE Liberty Seguros
More information on the website on the website of the House of the People of Santo Estêvão ou on your facebook page.
Photos: Elisabete Rodrigues|Sul Informação
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