Everything is ready for the Race for Heroes

The 2025 Race for Heroes, a sporting event organized by the Matamoros Corporation since 2009, will be held this coming Sunday, May 18, in person in Bogotá and virtually nationwide.

10,500 people are registered for the race, 30% more than last year's edition, said María Alejandra Neira, director of the institution, who said that participating in the event has become a social mobilization and an expression of support for the Military Forces and the National Police.

The meeting point for this 15k, 10k, and 5k race will be the Plaza de Alfiles in the Gran Estación Shopping Center at 6:15 a.m.

At 7 a.m., the 15k runners will set off , followed by the other two groups, each 10 minutes apart.

He explained that the event will be chaired by Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez, Admiral Francisco Hernando Cubides Granados, Commander of the Armed Forces, and Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán.

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The organizers have arranged for the kits to be delivered to competitors at the same shopping center this Friday, May 16th, and Saturday, May 17th. For those participating virtually, the competition materials will be sent to the address entered on the registration form.

The Matamoros Corporation is a private, non-profit organization affiliated with the Social and Business Defense Group (GSED) of the Ministry of National Defense. For 39 years, it has worked for the wounded and disabled men and women of the Military and Police Forces, their families, and those who have died in the line of duty.

"The funds raised through sponsorships and registration fees are dedicated to social programs for education and support for high-performance athletes with disabilities in the Armed Forces. They also support education for wounded national heroes with disabilities and the families and children of those who died," said María Alejandra Neira.

He specified that, for example, the Corporation is currently supporting 690 elementary and high school students, both remotely and in person, across the country. These beneficiaries are located in more than 50 municipalities. The institution is preparing a new plan to provide education to the children of police officers who have been victims of the so-called "Pistol" (Punjab) scheme recently carried out by illegal groups against law enforcement. So far, 38 minors have been reported. YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: The innovative proposal in athletic footwear for demanding runners

In general, the Matamoros Corporation's social investment programs promote the social inclusion of beneficiaries through education, employability, entrepreneurship, rehabilitation through sports, and care at the Bogotá shelter.

Sponsors of the competition include Satena, Indumil, Hyundai, the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce, Banco Agrario, BBVA, Dibanka, Gran Estación, Caracol Television, RCN Television, Ara, Tostao, Gatorade, Cristal, and Servientrega.