Flamingo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica: APEGUA (the Alliance for Progress of Education in Guanacaste) will be hosting a 5k/10k race on Saturday, May 3rd along the beautiful Guanacaste coastline. This popular annual event will see some changes in its fourth edition, including a new location (the race route will now span from Flamingo to Playa Potrero) and a new date. This year’s race, which is being organized by the renowned sporting event company Global Sportx Group, is being sponsored by our community partners Sugar Beach Hotel and Blue Water Properties Costa Rica. More than 750 runners from all over Costa Rica are anticipated to attend.

All proceeds of the event will benefit the alliance members of APEGUA, with proceeds up to $15,000 being matched by the Guanacaste Community Fund. These funds will support the programs of each organization that enhance educational opportunities for children in Guanacaste. While this will be the fourth Ruta la Paz race, it is the first time that the event has been hosted by the Alliance. According to Steve Mack, Director of the Guanacaste Community Fund, “The Guanacaste Community Fund is extremely happy to see grassroots organizations cooperating to raise funds for a common cause. Rather than spending time and energy competing against each other for local resources, they’ve put their heads together and found a way to attract support from all over Costa Rica.

The APEGUA Alliance is good news for education in Guanacaste and an example for organizations in other areas.”Abel McClennen, director of La Paz Community School, voiced his anticipation for the impact the funds will have on the community, stating “The four non-profits in the alliance are fundamentally transforming the educational offerings in Guanacaste through a comprehensive approach that engages students in all of the central coastal Guanacaste region in meaningful learning in and out of school that will both minimize student dropout rates as well as prepare future local leaders in the community to confront 21st century challenges.”

Registration for the event can be completed online at https://gsxg.net/index.php/calendario.html by selecting 5k Ruta la Paz or 10k Ruta la Paz. Early registration is discounted at $20 per runner. The registration site contains other important information such as hotel discounts, prizes, route maps, and much more. You can also register in person at the following locations: Abriendo Mentes (Playa Potrero), Amigos de la Educación (Tamarindo), CEPIA (Huacas), La Paz Community School (Flamingo), and Runners locations (San Jose).

Anyone interested in serving as a sponsor or contributing to the event should contact Event Coordinator Giovanni Cano at [email protected] or 506.8433.6704. Interested parties can also visit our Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/1473768782837936/.

About APEGUA: Established in 2013, the Alliance for the Progress of Education in Guanacaste is a collaborative effort of non-profit partners Abriendo Mentes, Amigos de la Educación, CEPIA and La Paz Community School. APEGUA members’ missions are focused on supporting vulnerable populations by improving education in Guanacaste through community service, free English and computer classes, extra-curricular activities, scholarships, and general youth development.

Contact

To learn more about the Ruta la Paz race, please contact Event Coordinator Giovanni Cano at [email protected] or 506.8433.6704.