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Each year, a four-kilometer race takes place in the Havana municipality of 10 de Octubre, which takes its name from the beginning of Cubas first war of independence on October 10, 1868. On Sunday, a record 11,474 runners took part.

Alberto Juantorena, Javier Sotomayor, Emperatriz Wilson were among the Cuban Olympic champion athletes participating in the event that included 4,992 boys and 2,982 girls and zigzagged through the streets and avenues of the Vibora neighborhood.

David Lahera, first secretary of the Communist Party in the municipality of 10 de Octubre, fired the starting shot and participated in the awards ceremony along with provincial government authorities and representatives of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER), Franciso Arias, representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Cuba, and Juan Niury, for many years Cubas representative to the FAO.

The winners were Jorge Alvarado of Havanas Cero municipality in the Master A category and Yoennis Mayacen, of Cotorro, in the Free category. The first three places in each category were awarded.

COMMUNITY PRESENCE

The annual race received widespread support from the local community. Before it began there were exhibitions of martial arts, choreographies with flags, and a Police motorcycle show. A symbolic micro-race of 20 meters was held for pregnant women and children under four participating in the Educate your Child program.

The race also saluted World Food Day which takes place each October 16. Francisco Arias, the FAO representative in Cuba, pointed out: "We continue in our campaign against hunger and just as the 10th of October was irreversible in the struggles of Cuba for its freedom, we want 2006 to be irreversible in the struggle against hunger around the world."

The October race has become a prelude for the Marabana-Maracuba 2006 run, this year in its 20th edition and set for Sunday, November 19 throughout Cuba, coinciding with National Physical Culture and Sports Day.

Carlos Gattorno, director of the event, said runners from 41 countries have confirmed their participation including first timers from the Cayman Islands, Hungary, Romania, Tunisia and a delegation of 90 runners from the Scandinavian countries.

 


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