Cobblestone, Cheering Crowds, Lighted Churches

And a few live bands in a really fun 10K run though the historic downtown. I rode down to the Start with Dale, along with Stu, Ben, Loren, Janelle, Sharon and Steve and his family.
I wish I could say lightning quick legs made none of my shots of the live music turn out. But no, I have to blame my camera's shutter delay instead.

Brass bands and drum corps played, and in between those musical interludes, groups of military men chanted cadence as they jogged along. Their voices echoed up and down the narrow streets.
As Stu told me before we began,
"Nothing really opens up" during the race through those streets from centuries ago.

You might gain a few steps here or there, but it's mostly wall to wall runners. People stood on the quaint balconies this city's old town is known for, and others watch from doorways or the sidewalk.



Besides the encouragement I gleaned as the soldiers shouted "Latacunga! step, step, step, step, Loja! step, step, step, step, Quito ! . . .

I also enjoyed seeing the wheelchair participants. A fella got a little help from a friend as he wheeled his way up a 30 degree grade early in the race.

And of course the churches. It's called
Ruta de las Iglesias or loosely translated the Church Run. If you're interested, here's the list:
La Basilica, La Merced, San Francisco, La Compania, El Sagrario, La Catedral, La Concepcion, San Agustin, Santo Domingo, Santa Catalina and San Blas.

It's well organized, with a chip supplied when you register and chip return booths after the finish line. Your personal time is sent to the e-mail address that you provided upon registration. The only precaution is that plastic water bags by the hundreds are discarded at water stops and that can get a little slippery sometimes.




Watch your step at times, expect lots of other runners and not too wide of track, anticipate the altitude (Quito is about 2,800 meters).

And don't go too fast. You might miss the scenery.