Nearly 190 athletes participate in the 5th Vega Baja Triathlon

By The Star Staff

Vega Baja Mayor Marcos Cruz Molina celebrated with the municipal team and the approximately 188 athletes who participated in the fifth Vega Baja Triathlon (Sprint Edition) at Puerto Nuevo Beach on Sunday.

“Our congratulations to all the participants and winners,” the mayor said. “Vega Baja is a tourist and sports city, where we host a wide variety of disciplines and organizations that honor the principle of a healthy mind in a healthy body.”

Vega Baja first lady Georgina “Ginny” Laureano expressed her satisfaction with the large number of athletes who arrived with their families.

“The greatest encouragement for an athlete is the recognition and affection of their loved ones, and this great event is an example of that,” she said.

Laureano was part of the team and distributed prizes, such as the one received by participant Derek Rivera, who was present with his mother, Roxana Martín.

Meanwhile, the MLB Development Department in Puerto Rico and Vega Baja Recreation and Sports announced the “Pitch, Hit & Run” initiative, a free program designed to encourage the participation of girls (softball) and boys (baseball) between the ages of 7 and 14.

“Pitch, Hit & Run gives young people the opportunity to compete in three fundamental skills of the game: throwing accuracy, hitting power, and running speed,” the mayor said. “Participants will be divided into four age categories and will be able to showcase their talent in a fun, inclusive, and educational environment.”

The local winners in each category will compete for the unique opportunity to reach the Pitch, Hit & Run Grand Final during the MLB World Series. To get there, their scores must be among the top five in Puerto Rico and the United States.

Competition will begin June 26 at 6 p.m. at Triple Parque (Triple Park) in Tortuguero in Vega Baja, and registration must be made before June 21 through the following link: http://mlbpuertorico.leagueapps.com/events/4609926-phr-mlbpr—pitch-hit—run-vega-baja.

Cruz Molina pointed out that Puerto Nuevo Beach, which is fully managed by the municipality, has achieved the ambitious distinction of being a “Blue Flag” for seven consecutive years, from 2018 to the present, becoming a model to follow for coastal destinations that attract tourists and locals alike.