The registration for the 3rd Patagonian International Marathon opened last January 29, 2014. The event will take place on the 27th of September 2014 in the unpaved roads of Torres del Paine National Park, a designated World Biosphere Reserve since 1978 in Chilean Patagonia featuring race distances from ultra marathon (63 km), marathon (42 km), half marathon (21 km) and 10km. Organized by Nomadas International Group, S.A. (NIGSA), the founder and creator of a sporting challenge declared to be “the world’s last wild race” by BBC known as the Patagonian Expedition Race, the marathon will follow a route that is immersed in a spectacular view of snow-capped mountains, glacier-fed lakes and unique wildlife of the area.
The race has had world-renowned runners in their first two races such as Omar Aguilar, the legendary Chilean athlete who completed the Rotterdam marathon in just 2h: 12: 19; Rodrigo Errazuriz, a Chilean athlete holding the fastest known time for Torres del Paine “O” and W” circuit; Billy Bernett, a Hawaiian runner featured in the book Born To Run, which tells the stories of legendary barefoot runners of Copper Canyon in Mexico; and Stefaan Engles, the famed Belgian athlete known as the Marathon Man after completing 365 marathons in one year. For the third edition, runners from 22 countries, namely Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, USA, Uruguay, UK, and Venezuela have already signed up just a month after the registration opened.
With the first and second Patagonian International Marathon accommodating 356 and 657 runners coming from Africa, Australia, Europe, North and South America respectively, the third edition aims to attract more runners as well as attention to the marvelous backdrop of 3,000 meters of mountains of granite and ice, multicolored lakes and abundant wildlife of the area. The marathon aims to draw attention to the conservation and the promotion of its sustainable development. Aiding Corre y Reforesta, a campaign that aims to aid in the reforestation of the National Park from a fire that destroyed almost one fourth of its native forest three years ago, each race entry includes a tree donation to the campaign.
“With the Patagonian International Marathon, we want to continue the tradition of creating phenomenal experiences for runners – both veterans and beginners – as well as bringing sports closer to nature. On the other hand, we are helping in the reforestation of the park and promoting the importance of protecting these places,” said Stjepan Pavicic, the founder and director of the atagonian International Marathon. “Lastly, we are promoting the stunning natural gems of Patagonian Chile.”
Registrations may be made through the Patagonian International Marathon website: http://www.patagonianinternationalmarathon.com/