Puerto Rico: Success for the ‘Carrera 5K De Las Ruinas’ organised by students from the FIFA/CIES International Programme

Two hundred people recently took part in the ‘Carrera 5K De Las Ruinas’ organised by students from the 4th edition of the FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sports Management run by the Universidad de Puerto, Recinto de Mayagüez (UPRM).

Four o'clock in the morning... It is still dark... Only a few electric torches dimly light the famous ruins of Aguadilla, whose silhouettes will serve as the backdrop for the ‘Carrera 5K De Las Ruinas’.

The students of the 4th edition of the FIFA/CIES International Programme organised by the Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Mayagüez (UPRM) are gradually arriving. They have already overcome their first challenge: waking up early. After greeting each other and exchanging a few words, they have to get started... The first competitors will arrive soon. The race will start at 7 a.m.

The first task is to make sure that all the equipment is in place and that nothing is missing. A first group sets up the tables to register the participants. A second group prepares the competition T-shirts and the official bag that will be given to each runner. Other students mark out the venue with sponsors' banners and put up the flags marking the start of the race. Everything is done quietly, calmly and without fuss. This proves that, despite the challenges inherent in organising any sporting event, the students are carrying out their tasks efficiently.

A little later, new key players arrive: the doctor, first aiders, the police, masseurs and timekeepers. Others set up the toilets or bring water, coolers and fruit to be distributed to the participants.

The first athletes arrive around 5 o'clock. The others follow gradually. First a modest stream, then a flood of athletes arrive and must be welcomed, directed to their parking spaces and then to the registration officials.

Meanwhile, some students take up positions at various strategic points along the ‘carrera’ so that, when the time comes, they can guide the runners along the paths surrounding the ruins, which have already been marked out the day before.

Ten minutes before the start, there is still a crowd in front of the registration tables. Eight minutes later, all the runners are in place and waiting for the whistle to start. The reception work is completed smoothly and in good spirits.

The student responsible for documenting the event moves from one place to another. He photographs his classmates getting ready, the participants preparing themselves or already waiting behind the starting line.

The starting gun goes off. The two hundred participants set off calmly. They have to pace themselves because the sun is already beating down.

Twenty-five minutes later, the first competitor crosses the finish line, soon followed by the first female athlete. The applause is loud.

The spectators reserve plenty of encouragement for the runners who finish the race together, in a united group of friends. Or for those for whom the competition is a real physical challenge but who have mustered all their motivation and energy to finish at all costs.

Everyone has completed the ‘Carrera 5K De Las Ruinas’. Everyone receives a medal. The competitors recover in silence or share their impressions with their family. Some take selfies, others quench their thirst, eat a banana, and get ready to go home.

Those who helped organise the event get together for a snack. Then it is time to dismantle the facilities, load the equipment into numerous cars and finally say goodbye to enjoy the Sunday morning that is just beginning.

There is a great sense of satisfaction. The race was successful. The students were able to put into practice the various aspects of managing a sporting event: budgeting, finding sponsors, marketing, branding, promotion, communication with the community and local authorities, security, crisis management and other logistical aspects. In just over a month, they will meet again to present their group project and receive their diplomas.

Congratulations to all the students, the members of the FIFA/CIES International Programme team in Puerto Rico, the teaching staff, the sponsors, the volunteers and everyone else who contributed to the success of the first ‘Carrera 5K De Las Ruinas’ in Aguadilla.