Por Ismael Buendia 
Vélez-Málaga will join on May 24th in an event orchestrated by the National Police Directorate, under the name of «Ruta 091», a nationwide initiative that consists of organizing charity races. On this occasion, Torre del Mar will host the «II Solidarity Race Ruta 091» on the specified date, the second event of its kind in our territory. The event is supported by the Vélez-Málaga City Council and organized in collaboration with the Local Police for the second consecutive year. The main race will start at 10:30 a.m. from the Torre del Mar Music Stand. The key aspects of this competition include raising funds for the Esperanza Breast Cancer Association of Axarquía and promoting the 091 emergency phone number of the national police force for immediate assistance in any type of emergency.
This event, centered around the theme of solidarity, represents a bonding of the city’s security forces, highlighting «the commitment of our police forces whenever an event or initiative is held in our municipality,» said Mayor Jesús Lupiáñez, who attended the event launch. The race can be run or walked and will feature various police unit displays, along with a charity lunch to conclude the event. The Mayor was accompanied by the Commissioner of the National Police in Vélez-Málaga, Juan Carlos Aparicio, the president of the Esperanza Association, María Ramos, the Equality Councilor, Juan García, and the Sports Councilor, Manuel Gutiérrez.
All proceeds will be donated to the Esperanza Breast Cancer Association of Axarquía, an organization that «selflessly works for our neighbors and plays an essential role in helping all individuals affected by cancer, regardless of tumor location, as well as their families and loved ones,» emphasized the local mayor. He also highlighted the importance of organizing such initiatives for charitable purposes. «The residents of Vélez-Málaga have always shown their solidarity, especially in events of this magnitude, where funds will be raised to fight against a disease like cancer,» Lupiáñez emphasized.
On this occasion, the race organized by the National Police Directorate is, as stated by the mayor, «a meeting point where we can enjoy sports and, at the same time, have a philanthropic goal.» He also highlighted «the good relationship between our police forces, evident in this initiative where the Local Police joins their national counterparts for a more than justified reason.» He emphasized how this positive dynamic and practice «results in a collaborative effort that benefits citizen service and the issues that arise in the municipality.»
The Commissioner of the National Police in Vélez-Málaga, Juan Carlos Aparicio, expressed his satisfaction in organizing «a race that was a huge success last year; they asked us to repeat it and from that moment we decided to do it again, with the goal of supporting ‘Esperanza’ charity,» said the police official about the event’s purpose, along with promoting the institution’s image. Aparicio revealed that the plan is to «increase the number of participants from 1,200 in 2024 to 1,500 in this edition» due to the demand.
«We can only express our gratitude for involving us in these initiatives, providing a new opportunity to showcase all the work we have done in the municipality and the region to help cancer patients,» appreciated the president of the Esperanza Association, María Ramos. She emphasized the importance of organizing such sporting events, which the association advocates for in terms of healthy living, crucial for preventing diseases like breast cancer.
The Equality Councilor, Juan García, expressed his delight in the reception of an event of this nature in the municipality, marking it as «one of the challenges we set at the beginning of the term in the Council, which is to give visibility to the invisible. We will continue working so that ‘Esperanza’, which does outstanding work, and all other associations, have that spotlight because they often perform tasks more quickly and efficiently than the administration, whose function is paralyzed by bureaucracy.»
Sports Councilor, Manuel Gutiérrez, praised the positive duality of this sports event. «On one hand, it promotes physical activity, a fundamental practice for the health of all our citizens, and on the other hand, there is no better way to enjoy a day of socializing than by participating with our security forces, residents, and visitors in a charitable cause for the ‘Esperanza’ association,» concluded the municipal councilor, emphasizing that «this is one of those sports activities through which we aim to contribute to Vélez-Málaga remaining a reference for good habits and a healthy lifestyle.»
Inscriptions
The «II Solidarity Race Ruta 091» can be participated in by running or walking and will feature various police unit displays, as well as the mentioned charity lunch to conclude the event. The race is open to all who register on time through the official website www.ruta091.es, where more information about the race details can be obtained. Participants must indicate their technical shirt size, which will be provided along with the assigned race number. The registration fee is 12 euros for those born before 2011, and 10 euros for participants younger than that age.
The race will start at 10:30 a.m. and will cover an approximate distance of 5,500 meters, in a circular and flat terrain, passing through a mixed terrain. Specifically, there will be sections of the route through the Torre del Mar and Caleta de Vélez promenades, as well as other stretches completed on the compact earth of the coastal path. The start and finish line will be located at the Torre del Mar Music Stand. A liquid replenishment point will be strategically placed at the entrance to the coastal path.
As an additional competition, the «Mini Ruta 091» will kick off at 10:00 a.m. and will feature a route adapted to the participants’ age. Three itineraries of 600, 1,000, and 1,500 meters will be established. The first one will be for those born from 2015 onwards, the second for those born in 2013 and 2014, reserving the longest for ages between 2011 and 2012. All participants in this category will receive a commemorative participation medal. The representatives encouraged residents and visitors to take part in this unique event, where the National Police, Local Police, and citizens can enjoy a cheerful, lighthearted, and charitable gathering.