McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — The border cities of Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, are hosting a binational marathon in February where runners will start in South Texas and cross over the Rio Grande to finish in Mexico.
The Maratón Binancional Dos Laredos (Two Laredos Binational Marathon) on Feb. 18 will be the first Boston-qualifying certified marathon race ever held between two binational cities on the Southwest border, race director Victor Treviño Jr., told Border Report on Monday.
Treviño Jr., the son of Laredo Mayor Victor Treviño, calls it a “historic event.”
“There’s nothing like it,” he said. “We’re the first one to do this.”
He says in the past there have been binational marathons on the northern border crossing from Canada, but never a certified marathon race on the Southwest border that crosses from the United States into Mexico.
The Boston Marathon is considered the premier U.S. marathon and runners must qualify to run the race through certified marathons.
Treviño is an avid marathoner and Ironman triathlete and he says the idea came from a 10K race that’s been held between the two Laredo cities.
“There’s nothing like running across that international bridge. It’s so impressive when you’re running across it. And then you’re running into Mexico,” he said.
The border sister cities of El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Chihuahua in March will again host The Run Internacional, a 10K that takes runners into Mexico and back to the U.S.
He said he’s been coordinating with Nuevo Laredo Mayor Carmen Lilia Canturosas Villarreal, who he says is pushing the race, and wants to showcase athleticism on the border, not just negative stories regarding illegal immigration.
“She said, ‘Look we need to change the narrative that it’s a warzone down here so people see that we have quality of life events, like any other place,'” he said. “That was one of the goals.”
Trevino Jr. said the cost is very affordable — 500 pesos — which is about $40. Most U.S. marathon races cost around $100.
“I think it’s going to attract tourism,” he said. “And hopefully it’s going to attract and pull a lot more runners from other parts of Mexico.”
Runners will start in Laredo at Jarvis Plaza, near the border, and then cross the Gateway to the Americas International Bridge.
The 26.2-mile route will circle the city of Nuevo Laredo and finish north of the city at the border near the bridge but on the Mexican side.
Trevino Jr., said they’re still working out how to provide transportation for runners who need it to get back to the United States. And the pedestrian bridge will be open for crossing for those who want to walk back.
He said Mexico isn’t requiring runners to show their passports as they cross south during the race.
Those crossing north after the race, however, will face U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations.
The binational marathon comes after Laredo held its first marathon on Nov. 5, for which Treviño Jr., was also race director. That race attracted about 170 runners, he said.
He said he’s also working with officials in the Mexican state of Nuevo León where he hopes to create another binational marathon race from Laredo that crosses into Mexico at the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchz@BorderReport.com.
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