PR to send 6 athletes to road running worlds in Copenhagen

Toa Baja Mayor Bernardo Márquez García, center

Toa Baja seeks to host event in 2030

By THE STAR STAFF

Carlos Guzmán, secretary general of the Puerto Rico Athletics Federation (FAPUR by its acronym in Spanish), announced late last week that six athletes from the island will compete Sept. 19-20 at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.

While there, the athletes will also promote Toa Baja’s bid to host the championship in 2030.

“We arrive in Denmark with a committed delegation, prepared to represent Puerto Rico at the highest level,” Guzmán said in a written statement. “Beyond the competition itself, this experience will allow us to gain firsthand insight into the operations and logistics of a championship of this magnitude and begin laying the groundwork for Toa Baja’s 2030 bid.” 

Arnaldo Martínez and Héctor Pagán will compete in the half-marathon, while Alondra Negrón and Víctor Ortiz will participate in the five-kilometer (5K) race. Alessandra Rodríguez and Carlos Vilches will represent Puerto Rico in the mile race.

According to the federation, the group will depart Puerto Rico on Sept. 16, accompanied by technical staff and representatives from the Toa Baja municipal administration. The one-mile and 5K races will take place on Saturday the 19th, and the half-marathon on Sunday the 20th.

In addition to the athletic competition, the delegation while in Denmark will study the event’s operations and initiate efforts to present Toa Baja as a potential host for the 2030 World Road Running Championships.

“We are taking the necessary, responsible steps so that in 2030, Puerto Rico -- and specifically Toa Baja, as the mecca of distance running -- can host this major event,” Toa Baja Mayor Bernardo Márquez García said.

According to FAPUR, the championship in Copenhagen will bring together some 65,000 elite and amateur runners from more than 120 countries.