7 Cerros Medellin Urban Adventure Race
Once again, MedellÃn puts on a world-class race
Jacqueline Windh / 27.09.2007
Once again, the city of MedellÃn proved itself to be an amazing and supportive host for this event, and the people were most welcoming to everyone. It is just stunning to see the spirit here, in a place that until only a few years ago was known on the world-wide stage only for drug wars and violence. This year’s race route took competitors to two of the landmarks that symbolize the changes made here to improve people’s quality of life – the architectural marvels of the Santo Domingo and Las Praderas libraries, high up the steep hillslopes that surround the city. These are two of five new libraries that now provide books, computers and educational oportunities to children in poverty-stricken neighbourhoods where they formerly had no hope of improving their lives.
Race organizers Luisa Fernanda RÃos and Jorge Diego Llano did a stellar job of event planning and course design. International competitors were again lodged in the comfortable five-star Hotel Dann-Carlton (which they rappeled down on Day One!). The route provided incredible contrasts, especially between the rugged mountain routes of Day 2 and the fast urban skating and biking through the downtown area on Day 3 (with road closures organized as needed). This year there were two go-karting sections (and we all missed Finland’s Captain Petri Forsman, who was so looking forward to go-karting this year but had to cancel at the last minute due to injury), and this year there was also the addition of kayaking stages on two different days.
“The course was even better than last year,� says Mónica Aguilera, of winning team Teva-La Pinilla. “It was interesting, very well thought out, and had lots of variety in terrain.�
Keep an eye on the SleepMonsters race calendar, or go straight to Jorge and Luisa’s websites, and have a look at the two races that this accomplished pair of AR competitors organize (they race on team Bosi Colombia, and have ten years of race organizing experience behind them):
La Travesia Max Bosi: a 5-day expedition race that takes place mid-year, always in a different region of Colombia www.aventuramax.com
7 Cerros MedellÃn Urban Adventure Race: the third edition of this fast-paced staged race, stay tuned for 2008 dates www.7cerrosmedellin.com
SleepMonsters
