Quito, Ecuador

The flame of hope left by the ancestral Incan messengers called “chasquis” is still alive thanks to the AIMS Children’s Series with the latest edition celebrated as never before.

Thanks to the enthusiasm sparked by the series there were some standout achievements in international competition. Children who had participated in this year’s races won the Inter Scholar International Championship held in Ecuador. In the under-16s Johan Poso won the silver medal while 13-year-old Christian Recalde took fifth place. Valeria Sangoquiza won the bronze medal in the 2000m race in the South American scholars’ championship in Lima Perú. Never had such feats been achieved before the Children’s Races were established. But the most important goal was to encourage more children to participate in the races and take them away from the criminality that invades the poorest cities.

On Sunday 9 June a total of 1098 children from disadvantaged areas of Ecuador took part in the race as well as having an unforgettable party. The children showed their joy while running the races and were awarded with a medal and a T-shirt specially made for this occasion to celebrate their effort and participation.