From Álora to New York

The first perote and the first perota classified in the Half Marathon "Álora-Valle del Sol",on the 2nd March, will participate in one of the most important tests of the world, the New York Marathon.

The Mayor, Jose Sanchez; the Director of Activities and Sports Promotion of the Junta, Juan de la Cruz Vázquez, the Councillor for Sports, Carlos Dimas Arana and the Vice-president of the Athletics Club Guadalhorce, Juan Vázquez, have presented the 10th edition of the Half Marathon ' Álora-Valle del Sol ' and the XIV Urban Race ' City of Álora', which will be disputed next Sunday, the 2nd of March.

The Half Marathon this year has a special grand prize for the first Andalusian male and and the first female consisting of a sponsorship to participate in the New York Marathon and a . also travel with a bag of Euro 1000. The grand prize is sponsored by the City of Álora and the Board of Andalusia..

In this edition of the Half Marathon have registered more than 300 runners, and with the participation of prominent athletes such as Mohamed Zouat, Moroccan athlete recently nationalized, who a few days ago beat the world record for people over 40 years in the discipline of 3000 meters flat. Also participating are athletes from Murcia, Valladolid, Madrid, Ceuta, Portugal, Morocco, and all the Andalusian provinces, and many runners from our town. There will be distribution of about 3000 euros in prizes.

As for the Urban Race ' City of Alora', it is a great sporting event with the participation of some 250 runners. The race consists of about 400 meters for children and juniors and 1600 meters for the remaining categories. There will be trophies for the first three classified in each category as well as gifts and contests.

For the mayor of Alora, Jose Sanchez, it is about "a great sports Sunday, with the participation of many athletes of a very high level." The Mayor recalled the great sporting events that have taken place in our town as the recent arrival of the First Stage of the Tour, or the final of Andalusia Volleyball Championship, in addition to the Chess Memorial Miguel Bootello.

"It is therefore important to continue investing in sport for all ages and performing first-level sporting events," stressed the Mayor.

Juan Vazquez, Vice President of the Club Athletics Guadalhorce, has stated that as a new feature this year, the Half Marathon has a new trail,a  round trip along the old road A-343, to Pizarra.

The Councillor for Sports, Dimas Carlos Arana, has appreciated the efforts of the Guadalhorce Athletics Club and the support and sponsorship of the Government of Andalusia, Malaga council, and the collaboration of the Council of Pizarra. Carlos Arana Dimas has highlighted the great work being done by volunteers.

Meanwhile, the Director of Activities and Sports Promotion, Juan de la Cruz Vazquez, has statedf that "the City Council of Alora has an excellent sports policy : both at school, through the convention 'sports at school' recently signed , as well as federal sports. With the City Council at the forefront of everything. " Juan de la Cruz Vazquez has stressed the high commitment to sport that the Government of Andalusia has made, "In Álora there has been built an Soccer Field with artificial turf, we are now constructing a covered swiming pool, and the Polideportivo Athletic Track will be improved.

Juan de la Cruz has noted that "the Master Plan for Sports Facilities has more than 2000 million euros for all of Andalucia." In addition, "we want to promote the values of sport in health helping clubs and elite athletes and promote partnerships."

The Director of Activities and Sports Promotion Board has stated that this year the grand prize in the Half Marathon will be that the first perote and perota, besides the first male or female Andalusian ,will take part in the New York Marathon. "The diffiicult thing is to find endorse,but the Board of Andalusia and the City of Alora will enable these people to participate in one of the major athletic events in the world, in November."

In addition, Juan de la Cruz Vazquez, has stated that "we are working so that Alora will host a Test march, involving Paquillo Fernandez."

Later, Juan de la Cruz Vazquez and the Mayor visited the facilities of the Peña Madridista of Álora and the Director of Activities and Sports Promotion of the Junta delivered a gift on behalf of the Board and the player of Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos.