(ANS - Madrid) – On 16 January the Salesian College in Carabanchel hosted the 46th Don Bosco Cross race, organized by the Province of Madrid and the Municipal Council of the District of Carabanchel. Over 3600 runners of all ages from various places participated in the popular race to raise funds for areas in the Philippines devastated by Typhoon Haiyan.
The event was marked by a festive atmosphere, a few days before the feast of St. John Bosco. Hundreds of family members, friends and Salesians were present in the college to support the runners.
The race started from one of the college playgrounds and took place around the Parque de las Croces. The length of the races varied according to the category with a shorter course for the younger competitors. The competitions ended around 1.30 p.m.
After about three hours of sport, there was an awards ceremony for the winners of the different categories presided over by Fr Luis Alberto Guijarro, Youth Ministry Delegate of the Madrid Province, Fr José María García Méndez, Vice-Provincial, and Bro. Marcelo Perez, Principal of the Salesian Vocational School and representative of the Town Council of Carabanchel.
The Don Bosco Cross was run for a single purpose - to raise funds to help areas in the Philippines devastated by Typhoon Haiyan. For this reason, athletes and their supporters were able to buy a shirt at the information booth installed in the college by the Salesian NGO Jóvenes y Desarrollo. Its president, Fr Manuel de Castro, expressed great satisfaction at the generous response of the participants and raised the possibility of other solidarity initiatives in future races.
Published 28/01/2014
