The first edition of the New Balance Race in Costa Rica will run at full capacity, as all 2,900 available spots sold out a week in advance. The brand's prestige, the 7.5 and 15 kilometer routes, and the launch of the New Balance Series in Costa Rica attracted athletes, but the challenge won't be easy.
The start and finish will be within the National Stadium facilities, but not inside the track—rather on the street to the east of the Stadium. Both those running 15k and those running 7.5 kilometers will start at the same time, at 6:30 in the morning, and along the route there will be a big party. Rafa Castro, part of the organizing group, told us they will have several representative booths from the New Balance Series across Latin America along the route: by the León Cortés statue there will be NB Argentina with great music and tango, further ahead NB Bogotá with vallenato and cumbia, then São Paulo with carnival included, and even Costa Rica near the Stadium with good marimba.
So even though the route around La Sabana and Pavas may seem familiar, this Sunday will be experienced with international flavor and lots of music.
Route
The route starts with 1.6 kilometers of gentle climbing through Sabana Norte, as a welcome. But when you hear the tango there by León Cortés, start dancing because almost three kilometers of continuous downhill are coming along the street that leads toward the Los Anonos bridge. This is the part to take advantage of, because then the hills return and this time stronger with the climb toward La Sabana along the wide Pavas street; it's 3.3 kilometers of moderate climbing capable of breaking your pace if you didn't save energy for that section. Those running 15k will continue straight when they reach the Stadium and do another identical lap.
Packet pickup will be Friday, January 15 at Lincoln Plaza, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, January 16 at Multiplaza Escazú, same hours. You can see the route in detail, as well as the shirt design and more detailsHERE.
— RELATED: 2016 RACE CALENDAR!
