LITTLE AND LARGE RING THE BELL AT THE FOURTH JOSE SULAIMAN RACE

By WBCnews

Boxing Legends Evander Holyfield and Julio Cesar Chavez together rang a sonorous large gold  bell to start the glorious fourth Jose Sulaiman Race, and then wave after wave of runners in all shapes and sizes and ages, ran, jogged and trotted from just outside the entrance of Mexico City`s famous Anthropology Museum,  down Reforma Avenue on their way round the 6km or the even more ambitious 12km Course.

Way out ahead  and unchallenged, was Hermes Mondragon who crossed the finish line in exactly 32 minutes.  Hardly out of breath, he said he`d initially decided to start steady and build up his pace, but things had gone even better than expected on a crisp slightly chilly Sunday Morning and his running had been fluid and strong.

On the podium,  World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman said:  “There`s a lot of great people and good vibes here. The amount of runners has multiplied and this is a beautiful way to begin the year with this marvellous  venture between boxing and athletics. We have champions running alongside parents, kids, special needs participants, and for the first time ever a team of blind runners and their guides. They`re called The Hawks.  The original idea for this race came from My Father Don Jose.  He was always full of surprises, and constantly  had projects in mind, to make things special for people. This is a wonderful celebration!”

Race Organizer Jose Manzur was thrilled with a participation of more than four thousand runners, more or less equally divided between the 6km and 12km races.  He said: “First and foremost, we`d like to thank everyone who`s made a big effort to be here.  We are honoured by the participation of blind runners. They are guided by six women that are attached to them by string and run with them at the same pace.  They have been telling me that as well as this, they`ve been running marathons, so it`s  an amazing effort.

“Many people treat this race as a special challenge of promises that they want to fulfil. The most special part of this race for me is undoubtedly the effort people make. They`re excited, they want to participate and they love boxing. When we said Evander Holyfield and Julio Cesar Chavez are going to be here the inscriptions considerably grew. ”

The World Boxing Council also had some of their very own runners, who perspired and inspired. Colleague Paul Landeros, looking remarkably fresh and relaxed, coasted in with a time a tad under thirty five minutes for the 6kms. This is his first Jose Sulaiman Race, but Paul is already pledging to do the 12kms course next year.

Mothers and Fathers jogged pushing their offspring in prams,  one very speedy competitor was in a Flash Super hero costume  and a number of fleet footed competitors were accompanied by their pets.  Perhaps the most gaudy,  was a runner attired in all red, accompanied by his faithful loping Red Setter dog.

All who participated received a medal and everyone is saying they`re coming back next year to improve their time.  Lots of money raised for good causes and PB`s improved upon.  Some seemingly glided, others sprinted for the line, some did high fives or jumped for joy, while far behind them others slowed somewhat, but they kept going.  For them, the taking part was the all important factor. The race is not always to the swift.

They started in the dark and the chill, and finished in bright warm sunshine.  We counted them all out…and we counted them all in.