Downtown Valparaíso was filled with color, energy and enthusiasm with the third edition of “Running towards the PUCV Centenary”, a sports activity that gathered more than 1,500 participants on a Sunday Morning, which combined sports, family and university spirit. The initiative was organized by the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, through the Vicerectory of Community Relations and the Direction of Sports and Physical Activity.
The event included 10- and 2.5-kilometer journeys, with a circuit that was carried out in downtown Valparaíso, from Errázuriz Street – at the 12 de Febrero corner – to Plaza Wheelwright, right by the ocean. More than a competition, the race became an city celebration that gathered sports enthusiasts, families, students, faculty and University Academic support staff, who enjoyed a time of harmony and wellbeing.
Jacqueline Paez, Vicerector of Community Relations, highlighted this activity as reflecting the PUCV’s commitment to its region and the community. “This is an activity that we gift to the Region of Valparaíso. We believe that it is essential to open opportunities for physical activity and contribute to people’s wellbeing. Sports are an avenue to strengthen health and a sense of community”, she noted.
For his part, Leandro Torres, Sports Regional Ministry Secretary, valued this initiative from the university. “Sports provide very important physiological, social and human values. What we are experiencing today is the result of great team work. We are happy to see universities such as the PUCV take on the promotion of physical activity with such seriousness and commitment”, he expressed.
Preparations for the race were carried out months in advance by the Direction of Sports and Physical Activity. Their director, Gernot Hecht, underscored the positive impact of the event, both inside and out of the University. “As an institution we always seek to create a close connection to Valparaíso, which I believe we fully achieved. This result encourages us to be optimistic about the celebrations that will come on our path to the centenary”, he commented.
The event gathered not only experienced runners, but also members of the university community and their families. Macarena Rosenkranz, Innovation Director, joined the family category along her son, León. “This is a great opportunity the University offers to the internal and external community. The organization was excellent and demonstrates the level of commitment the PUCV has to sports”, she pointed out.
Along the same line, Claudio Zett, director of the Medical Technology School, commented that “these events are a unique opportunity to spend time with family, especially when you are invited by such a meaningful institution as the PUCV”.
In the general category, winners were Sofía Pérez, in the women’s category, and Sebastián Traslaviña in the men’s category. They both took the first place after completing 10K. “The organization was of the highest level. A great care of everything and an excellent route”, the sportswoman noted.
In addition to the race, the event held a sports and services fair, with the participation of PUCV Sustainable, the School of Kinesiology, the Senior Action program and the Direction of Sports, along to sponsoring brands such as Mutual de Seguros, Powerade, Hospital Clínico, Cartoni, Eucerin, Gimnasios Upgrade, Jumper Park, Zona Azul Athletic, The Arturo López Pérez Foundation, Jumex and Isapre Esencial. All of them contributed to the festive environment and the activation zone that was part of the event.
“Running towards the PUCV Centenary” becomes then one of the most important sports activities of the university calendar and of the Region of Valparaíso, strengthening the mission of our university to promote active life, community encounters and preparations looking into its institutional centenary in 2028.
By Sebastián Paredes
Strategic Communications Department
