Jose Sulaiman Race of Champions branches out!

A forest of runners cut fine figures, at the seventh Jose Sulaiman Race of Champions in Mexico City.

The seventh annual edition of the World Boxing Council`s  Jose Sulaiman Race of Champions attracted members of the WBC Family from all over the world, strongly counted in the  hundreds of runners.

The race, to raise funds for WBC Cares. It’s now an established and popular event, and this year started from the  Museo de Carcamo in the second sección of Bosque de Chapultepec at 7am sharp in the glow of a giant scarlet illuminated scoreboard. And the clang of the bell from WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman and women’s boxing legend Jackie Nava.

Some of the WBC`s greatest female champions were either running or at hand, including: Ibeth Zamora, Esmeralda Moreno, Jackie Nava, Yessica “Kika” Chavez, Judith Rodríguez, Alejandra Jimenez and Jessica Gonzalez.

The 6kms winners were:

Men:

First: Alberto Marmolejo Cruz: 20.57
Second: Alejandro Anaya Jimenez: 21.40
Third: Hector Miguel Mendoza Fernandez: 21.54.

Women:

First: Guadalupe Sherlyn Torres Tavares: 26.38.
Second: Ibeth Zamora Silva: 26.42.
Third: Leticia Galán  Dominguez: 26.55.

The 12kms winners were:

Men :

First: Hermes Mondragón Escalona: 41.41.
Second:  Nestor Antonio García García: 43.05
Third: Israel Mendez Carapia: 43.53.

Women:

First: Esther M De Los Ang Micheo Santizo: 52.31.
Second: Dayanna Velarde Rubalcava: 57.05.
Third: Amine Bravo Lases: 57.43.

Race Organizer Jose Manzur explained: “We planned to hold the race here, which is completely different from Avenida Reforma as that has been used week in, week out by runners. So we decided to make a change.

“This is a great way to help the WBC Cares Foundation. All the funds that we raise, after expenses go straight and strictly to WBC Cares.  It helps children in schools, hospital and orphanages worldwide. Young people in extreme need.”

The race was the inspiration of Don Jose Sulaiman, to help young people through the people, by the people. Jose Manzur said: “People  have asked me…well if this is the seventh, then what will happen when we get to the twelfth round? I replied, my friends twelve rounds is in Boxing, in racing we can go to the twenty fifth round and even further! Every year we get an absolutely fantastic response from the runners. They really like this  race.”

Wave after wave of runners were waving to World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman up on the podium, who was congratulating them as the sprinted, ran, jogged and trotted by. There was no tottering.

A different place, but the same race. Mauricio said: “This is  a beautiful race with a great atmosphere, with champions and families.  And this a very gratifying way to start a Sunday.

“It’s race number seven and highly motivating. Everybody is smiling and happy with health.  This is what the WBC family is all about. It’s a beautiful moment.”