News

Mountain and volcano race supports parks and tourism

05.08.2019

A walk and race between volcanoes and mountains allowed athletes to enjoy the beauty of two Costa Rican national parks.

The 400 participants started the race in the Hermosa Beach section of the Irazú Volcano National Park, which is home to the highest volcano in Costa Rica. The origin of its name can be traced to an indigenous village called Iztarú, which existed in the foothills of the volcano; it is a word meaning hill trembling and thunder.

The athletes followed the 18 km route to the La Central sector, a community living next to the Turrialba Volcano National Park. The Turrialba Volcano forms a single system in conjunction with the Irazú Volcano. It is the second highest volcano in the Costa Rica, surpassed only by the Irazú.

The objective of the event was to promote the importance of protected areas in Costa Rica, especially because these areas are free of air pollution. These spaces are ideal for sports and recreation for both locals and tourists. The goal is for activities such as this one to strengthen rural tourism in the communities surrounding the Turrialba and Irazú Volcano National Parks.

Proceeds from the activity went toward supporting the Board of Education of the Turrialba Volcano Educational Center, which they plan to use to repair park facilities in poor condition due to volcanic activity, in addition to supplying drinking water services which ten of their students are currently lacking.

The walk/run was supported by the environmental education program of the Turrialba Volcano National Park, the Municipality of Turrialba, Associations Administrators of Rural Aqueducts of neighboring communities, Auxiliary Committees of the Costa Rican Red Cross of Pacayas de Alvarado and Santa Rosa de Oreamuno, Pastoral Social de the Diocese of Cartago, local private companies and the Board of Education of the Turrialba Volcano Educational Center.

News and photos from Reina Sánchez Solano