On Sunday, 13 December, the entire Monterrey Consulate Community together with the conservation group, Pronatura Noreste, organized a high-energy, enthusiastic support station for the runners of the Monterrey Marathon, the fastest growing marathon in Latin America.  The support station was at the 36 kilometer marker of the 42 kilometer race course directly in front of the Consulate. Volunteers dispensed liquid refreshments, chocolates and enthusiastic cheering to the marathon runners as they entered the last, six kilometer stretch of the marathon. 

 In addition to dozens of Consulate staff, friends and family, Los Dorados Swimming Club and our neighboring Fire Department and many volunteers from the Forrest Tree Planting and the Mexican-U.S. 10K Green Race came together to host a terrific show on Avenida Constitución. In addition to making the event more festive by providing bright, red fire trucks, decorated with Christmas lights and decorations, the firemen provided safety to all the volunteers, posting trucks on either side of the support site so that highway drivers could easily spot stage construction that started in the early-morning darkness on the right shoulder of the south side of Avenida Constitución. Guillermo Palacios provided key connections and organization of the live music that was presented non-stop for over four hours by two, local bands. The runners heard the amplified music as they headed west and then when they doubled back to head to their finish line in Parque Fundidora. “Quinao”, a Spanish and English pop band, and a variety of singers from “Vocal Ritmos”, a music school, provided the musical support; “Crazy Show” provided the massive power plant, stage, and sound system.

 Consul General Bruce Williamson approved the community action project early on, and encouraged across the board participation. The heads of Public Diplomacy, Pol-Econ, Consular Section and RSO staff were among the cheerleaders urging the marathon runners to complete their 42 kilometer run. Will Cobb, head of the Trotadores del Consulado, reported that the Monterrey running establishment was grateful for the big show of support that the Consulate and Pronatura provided for the Marathoners. This event, together with the first annual Mexican-U.S. 10K Green Race held on July 5th, has cemented the Consulate’s place in the Monterrey running community, and was noted in press and TV coverage.

 Cobb noted that this event also served as a perfect way to hand off the organization of the 2010 Green Race scheduled for July 4th to newly arrived officers. Fortunately, the local staff does not change as quickly as the American staff, so many experienced hands will be available to lead the effort to launch this year’s Green Race sponsored by Pronatura Noreste and the US Consulate General.  Dedicated runners from Mission Mexico will be especially welcomed to join this year’s race!