2013 is just around the corner. It’s always exciting to see what I want to do for the next year and make a wish list of races… and then try to make some of them happen!
Several months ago, Philip Kiracofe contacted me about an event he created in Haiti. He and a small group went to Haiti earlier this year and scouted the terrain and the culture. After the devastating earthquake in 2010, Haiti has been reeling as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
Sure, I have my reservations about visiting a potentially “dangerous” place, but based on what I’ve heard from the people who went to scout the course, it’s just like any other developing country. In my limited experience, the most rewarding adventures have been in the more “rustic” places. The point of the race is to bring adventure tourism to Haiti, much like the Dominican Republic continues to build its economy with beach tourism.
Here is an NPR segment on the event:
New Mountain Bike Race Planned For Haiti by The World
I’m registered for the event and very much looking forward to the amazing experience. The event is 4 days. The first 2 days are focused on trail work and community building. The second 2 days are the race. It’s rare that a “race” includes giving back to the community in this way. IMBA is very much behind the event as well. I look forward to hearing more at the IMBA World Summit in Santa Fe, NM in October.
Click the photo or
GO HERE to learn more about the event. They are also looking for volunteers. There is a running race the weekend after the mountain bike race. The race ends in Jaqmel for their Carnival (a huge party like Mardis Gras!)
I did the fly by of the course in Google Earth. It looks pretty freakin’ cool! You are going to have a lot to think about by the time you hit the dirt!
What a great event!
Be careful Sonya…every time I have been to what *we* consider the ‘third world’……I fall in love….
You know
🙂
Fall in love, huh?