“Green Race” in Medellín Postponed due to Poor Air Quality

Organizers of the annual Carrera Verde “Green Race” in Medellín have decided to postpone the event due to poor air quality that could have endangered the health of runners. Officials at the lead promoting agencies, Natura Foundation and Grupo Argos Foundation, said they will reschedule the competition for an as-yet-unannounced date when they are certain that the environmental conditions will be suitable for the 10K.

The race was originally scheduled for this coming Sunday, March 26, until Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez and other stakeholders in the city issued an environmental “red alert.”

Banco de Bogotá is a primary supporter of Carrera Verde for the third straight year, while Fundacion EPM, Grupo Éxito, and the U.S. embassy in Colombia are among the others that provide support.

Despite the postponement, after “air quality reached critical levels,” said Banco de Bogotá in a statement, the associated environmental fair will go on as scheduled. It will be held in the Parque de los Deseos from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm on both Friday and Saturday (March 24-25).

“The decision to postpone the competition is a responsible act for the associated companies and, mainly, for the registered participants, since — according to the mayor of Antioquia’s capital, Federico Gutiérrez, and the metropolitan board — physical and recreational activities outdoors in the city, mainly for children and older adults, are dangerous to your health due to pollution,” said Elsa Matilde Escobar, executive director of the Natura Foundation.

Banco de Bogotá said that it will continue to support the causes underlying the mission of Carrera Verde, particularly in regard to promoting the recovery of the forests of Colombia. “Every step becomes a tree for the planet — that is the power of doing things together,” said the Bogotá-based financial institution in a statement.