Culture, Sports

Municipality of Carrillo Will Invest More Than ¢200 million For The Ironman 70.3 Triathlon

Esta publicación también está disponible en: Español

Carrillo is getting ready to put its best foot forward. The canton will play host to more than 15,000 people from 40 countries from June 16-18 who will arrive for the first Ironman 70.3 triathlon held in Costa Rica.

Because of this, the Municipality of Carrillo will invest ¢170 million in paving three kilometers from San Blas to El Moral. More than 2,000 triathletes will cycle this route.

Playas del Coco’s tourism boulevard, Amor de Temporada, will receive a ¢61.5 million facelift.

These funds come from a budget amendment approved by Carrillo council members during a session this past March 7th. These funds had previously been budgeted, but this amendment pushes the date for their use forward.

According to data from the mayor’s office, the funds will be executed between next April and May.

At the same time, new pavers will be installed along 100 meters near Residencial Las Palmas, and ¢60 million will be invested in improvements for the aqueduct and drainage systems in downtown El Coco.

Francina Uribe, Vice-Mayor of Carrillo, said that in addition these improvements the municipality is coordinating to improve safety, traffic, and public health.

Additionally, the Vice-Mayor stated that the Municipal Council declared this an event of cantonal interest.

“We are coordinating logistics with Public Security and Traffic Engineering. The procedures with the Ministry of Health for this massive event are well on their way,” said Uribe.

Uribe also said that the municipality is seeking help with the Ministry of Public Education so that more than 800 local high school students can work as volunteers during the triathlon.

Guaranteed Lodging

One of the main requirements for hosting an event of this magnitude is lodging.

Priscilla Solano, executive president of the Guanacaste Chamber of Tourism (in Spanish, CATURGA), stated that at least 50 small- and mid-scale accommodation providers in the province will directly benefit from the triathlon.

“Among the members of the Chamber we have some 50 hoteliers, and people who own homes, cabins and other small- and mid-scale businesses that will directly benefit,” said Solano.

Solano also stated that they’ve met with people selling snow-cones, vigorón, and other food in order to raise consciousness regarding price regulations so that prices aren’t too high during the event.

The municipality will also regulate street salespeople so that official vendors have the necessary food-handling permits.

Event Will Be Blue Flag

Flor de Liz Víquez, president of the Coco Development Association, stated that this event will be run under the Ecological Blue Flag. There will be several garbage bins as well as marked recycling areas where waste can be separated during and after the event.

The Association’s members and volunteers will be in charge of collecting waste along with the business Rasta Reciclaje.

Vïquez said that they are working to organize a fair that will showcase local foods and traditional dances. The fair would benefit El Coco area residents during the event week.

The Ironman 70.3 is part of the series of triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation. The triathlon 70.3 includes 1.9 kilometers of swimming, 90 kilometers of cycling, and 21.1 kilometers of running. Together these segments total 113 kilometers, or 70.3 miles, giving the race its name.

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