This Sunday will be the third edition of the Extremos Urban Run race, with 3000 participants distributed across distances of 5k, 10k, and the debut 15k. We tell you all the details you should know:

Start time

All distances will start at 6:00 a.m., and all will have their start and finish at Centro de Eventos Pedregal. There will be 1000 athletes running the 15k, 1500 running the 10k, and 500 signed up for the 5k.

Routes

Perhaps the most important thing for every runner: the route. This year they will be completely new due to the infamous decree that forced even the cancellation of other events like the Vuelta Ciclística Femenina and Triatlón El Coco. The Urban always stayed on its feet but the organizers were forced to modify the course so it only touched cantonal streets. Neither better nor worse, just different. In the words of Rodolfo Villalobos, from Grupo Publicitario, the new routes are more favorable in terms of elevation, the only detail is that there are turnarounds and some streets are a bit narrower because they're residential. Here are the details:

5k

The 5k is easy, an out-and-back that will be entertaining because runners going out will meet those coming back head-on, which is good for measuring how much faster I am than that person and how much faster they are than me. It's basically a slight downhill for the first half and a slight uphill in the second half, so it's a good idea not to start too fast to have strength for the final climb.

10k

It starts with 3k of slight-to-moderate uphill, but then has a big stretch mostly downhill from kilometer three to nine, only interrupted by a 1km hill between kilometers 5 and 6. The last kilometer is slightly uphill.

15k

The 15k is very similar to the 10k, in fact they will share the course until kilometer 8.5, when the 15k will veer off to make a turnaround (see map above). The first 3k of slight-to-moderate uphill, and then from kilometer 3 to 12 it's a stretch mostly downhill, only interrupted by two hills, one from kilometer 5 to 6 and another between kilometers 9 and 10. The last 3k, though, are slightly uphill, so don't get too excited going downhill.

Parking

Always an important topic, where to leave the car? There is ample parking at Pedregal, which will be open from 4 a.m. and will close at 5:55 a.m., just before the races start. The parking, though, has a cost, which it's worth clarifying is not set by the event organizers but by Pedregal itself. Pay attention to this: if you buy the parking ticket at packet pickup it will cost ¢3000, if you buy it on race day it will cost ¢4000, so it's better to buy the parking right when you pick up your packet.

Packet pickup

It will be on the following days and times:

• Thursday, May 24: Extremos store at Multiplaza Curridabat, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  

• Friday, May 25: Extremos store at Mall Paseo de las Flores, Heredia, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  

• Saturday, May 26: Eventos Pedregal, in Belén, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  

The packet comes loaded with a Nike shirt, Gymsack (bag) also Nike, for the 15k runners there will also be a Nike water bottle, and for everyone equally you will likely find various freebies like Tosh cookies, coffee packets, etc. To pick up your packet you just need to show your registration confirmation (can be from your phone) and your ID. To pick up a packet for someone else you must bring a letter of authorization and a copy of their ID, plus the registration confirmation.

And after the event...

As soon as you cross the finish line don't head home, because there are great raffles and they're in-person, meaning if the winning number isn't present, they lose the prize. Among the biggest raffles are two plane tickets and a Freedom motorcycle, but there are also plenty of other products to raffle. While you wait for the raffles, there will be Zumba and a Nike Training Center class.

Important reminders:

• Arrive with time. There will be almost 3000 people trying to get in within a tight time window, so it's better to avoid rushing or even missing the start, it doesn't hurt to arrive a bit earlier.

• Don't throw trash on the street. As we always say, the fact that you're a brave runner pursuing your goals doesn't give you the right to litter the street; keep the bags until you can throw them in the trash or better yet in a recycling bin.

• Enjoy :) Sometimes we take races too seriously, in the end the most important thing is to have a good time so stay positive and with a good attitude.

Good luck!!!