MARATÓN DE LAS FLORES MEDELLÍN TO BE HONOURED WITH 2017 AIMS SOCIAL AWARD IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SOCIAL INITIATIVES

The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), a running organisation representing some of the world's leading distance races, is delighted to announce the Maratón de las Flores Medellín as the 2017 recipient of the AIMS Social Award.

The award, which recognises races working towards achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals*, will be presented to the Colombian race during the fifth annual AIMS ‘Best Marathon Runner' (BMR) Awards Gala to be held in the birth place of the Marathon in Athens, Greece on 10 November 2017.

The eight Millennium Development Goals include eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, combatting disease, decreasing child mortality, promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and ensuring environmental stability.

Each year, the Maratón de las Flores Medellín supports social causes as part of their event. In 2017, the race organisers committed to support the following causes;

United for Colombia (UFC): The Maratón de las Flores has supported the UFC since 2003 by sponsoring rehabilitation for people injured by land mines. The efforts also include fundraising to support the cost of prosthetics and organising an additional race during the year to support this cause.

Breast Cancer: The Avon Foundation and Fundayama held the 2^nd edition of the ‘Avon Run/Walk for Breast Cancer' in October 2017, organising a 10k and 5k event. As one of the leading events in Colombia, the Maratón de las Flores supports the cause by communicating directly about the event with their entrants, thousands of runners in Colombia and around the world.  

Pasos de Felicidad: is a movement of young runners raising money for disadvantaged communities. The runners participating in this program support these runners by donating 1,000 Colombian pesos for every km they run in the Maratón de las Flores. Hence, for completing the marathon a donation of 42,000 pesos is made.

Paco Borao, President of AIMS comments: "I am very pleased that AIMS are recognising the Maratón de las Flores Medellín and their support of a wide range of important social causes in Colombia. We look forward to welcoming them to Athens."

Gustavo Orozco Posada, Race Director of the Maratón de las Flores Medellín comments: "We are honoured that AIMS has chosen to give us this award. We feel very strongly about our social initiatives and we look forward to visiting Athens for the BMR Gala."

About the AIMS Best Marathon Runner Award Gala
The purpose of the BMR Award Gala is to:
 
I.          Announce and honour the best male and female Marathon runners of the year through the AIMS BEST MARATHON RUNNER (BMR) Award.
II.         Recognise and honour exceptional Marathon figureheads and personalities for their contribution to the development of the Marathon movement.
III.        Publicise and promote the best practice and initiatives of AIMS members (435+ race organisers) through the establishment of special environmental and social awards.
IV.        Enhance the role, programs and services of AIMS.

The event will be staged in Athens, Greece on Friday 10 November 2017 and is co-organised with the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), ‘Athens Marathon. The Authentic.' and the Region of Attica, held under the kind sponsorship of the ‘Greek National Tourism Organisation' and ‘Athens International Airport'.

About AIMS

AIMS is a member based organisation and since being established in 1982 has grown to a membership of more than 435 of the world's leading distance races, from over 114 countries and territories. AIMS Members come from every continent on the planet and include the ‘Athens Marathon. The Authentic' formed on the legend of Pheidippides, the Greek soldier-runner who ran from the town of Marathon to Athens in 490 BC to announce the Persians had been defeated in the ‘Battle of Marathon'. Other AIMS members include many of the world's greatest distance races in history such as the Beijing, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, Comrades, New York, Paris & Tokyo Marathons. The three key objectives of AIMS are:

1. To foster and promote distance running throughout the world
2. To work with the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) on all matters relating to international road races.
3.  To exchange information, knowledge and expertise among members of the association

For further information on AIMS please visit:  www.AIMS-worldrunning.org.

* The United Nations Millennium Development Goals

The eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals are:
·           Goal One: Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger
·           Goal Two: Achieving universal primary education
·           Goal Three: Promoting gender equality and empowering women
·           Goal Four: Reducing child mortality
·           Goal Five: Improving maternal health
·           Goal Six: Combatting HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
·           Goal Seven: Ensuring environmental sustainability
·           Goal Eight: Developing a global partnership for development

Peter McLean, Director of Public Relations
Association of International Marathons & Distance Races
C/o PMPR Excellence Ltd,
Windsor House, 15 Kirklee Terrace,
Kelvinside, Glasgow, Scotland, G12 0T