Catalonia Hotels & Resorts and Pearl Beach Club conducted the 5K race to benefit children with cancer.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility program “United through struggle and in solidarity with children“, Catalonia Hotels & Resorts together with Pearl Beach Club, held last Sunday, February 12, the second edition of the 5K race for the benefit of children with cancer in the area of Bavaro, Punta Cana, in La Altagracia.
The announcement was made jointly by Silvia Ortega, Territorial Director of Catalonia Hotels & Resorts, Alex Castellanos, Commercial Director of Pearl Beach Club, and Kasia de Araújo, General Director of Pearl Beach Club.
Ms. Ortega stated that this race is carried out with the purpose of helping infants with low economic resources who live in areas bordering both properties that are affected by this pathology, and in return raise awareness about that disease and promote a healthy and more active lifestyle among the locals.
Each year, 300 cases of childhood and adolescents cancer are diagnosed in the Dominican Republic, making it the third leading cause of death in children 1 to 19 years of age. This 5k race also aimed to demonstrate to children, adolescents, and their families that the fight against childhood cancer is not individual struggle but it affects us all. This disease is not combated in solitude, but it needs support from society as a whole.
Starting at 7:00 in the morning we began to see the participants arrive at Pearl Beach Club, where we started the day warming up the body to the rhythm of Zumba. With the registered runners ready at the starting line, we started the 5-kilometer course with determination, in which 331 people competed in the men’s and women’s categories, with three subcategories that are Free from 18 to 29 years, Senior from 30 to 39 And Master of 40 years or more.
Our event organization team thanked all attendees for their support. We could not miss the effort so during the award ceremony we handed out medals to the top places in each category and raffles with tickets to Coco Bongo Bar, excursions and dinner passes in Pearl Beach Club.
Despite having professional athletes and sports fans among the participants, the event had a course adapted to all with the purpose of enjoying a race in which without exception everyone wins. When purchasing the tickets, each person was given a competition kit containing a commemorative t-shirt, participant number, dorsal and chip timing.
After reviewing the background of this event, we can say firmly that this year was a great success. The previous race had 138 participants and the funds raised were 38 thousand 564 pesos to the benefit of the St. Pierre la Montagne School of the brother country of Haiti. This year, we had estimated the registration of 250 runners, and we outdid it! And the amount collected amounted to approximately 200 thousand pesos.
Finally, we can say with pride that we all successfully meet the challenge and the feeling of being part of this great cause is the greatest reward we can receive.
Many thanks to all the participants and see you in the next race!
