In the month of March of 1987, the city of Los Angeles, California held her second annual international marathon. The founder, President Dr. William A. Burke, decided to establish and hold "THE FRIENDSHIP CUP", a special competition within the general competition. Dr. Burke wanted to invite various countries to send a marathon runner to participate in this cup with all expenses paid. His assistant communicated with the representatives of various countries, including the Consulate General of Guatemala and spoke with Mr. John L. Ulmen, who was Vice Consul ad honorem at that time. Mr. Ulmen communicated with Dr. Wellington Amaya, President of the National Federation of Athletics, extending a cordial invitation for Guatemala to participate in the said Cup.
With
this invitation the said Federation selected the best athlete of this distance,
Dr. Francisco Piedrasanta as the representative of Guatemala. During the communications
between the Consulate and the office of the marathon, Mr. Ulmen promoted the
interests of Guatemala in such an admirable way that the directive of the Marathon
decided to invite another Guatemalan athlete. As such the National Federation
of Athletics selected the youth José María Jocholá. Both
runners accompanied by the, also invited, Dr. Wellington Amaya, traveled to
the United States in order to participate in the referred Friendship Cup with
all expenses paid.On that memorable occasion, Dr. Piedrasanta finished in 14th
place in the general classification and 2nd place in his category by age, at
the same time Mr. Jocholá finished in 24th place in the general classification
and in first place in his age category.If we take into consideration that there
were more than 19,000 athletes from all over the world, some of them classified
as elite and champions of different nations, the results obtained by these Chapines
(nickname for Guatemalans) marathon runners was truly admirable. The next
year, Guatemala was again invited to participate in the Friendship Cup. Mr.
Ulmen and the Consulate General of Guatemala in Los Angeles wanted to organize
the community to get together in one place in order to support the Guatemalan
Marathon runners when they pass the corner of 7th and Catalina streets, near
the center of the city. This place was selected because of the large space and
it is situated in the middle of where a great part of the Guatemalan community
resides. The activities were a roaring success. Again, the Guatemalan runners
turned in an excellent performance and hundreds of Chapines got together in
order to applaud, shout viva Guatemala and support their countrymen.The first
two years of the Friendship Cup did not have any prize for the participants,
only a commemorative medal for each of the participants. But during the third
year, the directive of the Marathon received an offer from "AT&T", the telephone
company, to sponsor the event, providing $25,000.00 as prize for the winner
of the category of the said Cup. Unfortunately, the company decided to invite
only 10 countries, nations that were of economic convenience to their business.
Guatemala did not have sufficient economic importance to be invited to continue
participating in the event. Mr. Ulmen felt bad about Guatemala being eliminated
and he communicated with the head office of the company in New Jersey.
He presented such good arguments to them that he convinced "AT&T" to continue
inviting Guatemala to participate in this event.Two years had elapsed since
the first participation of Guatemala in such an important international event,
we looked for a way to improve and enlarge our participation. The world press
pays a lot of attention to this event and we thought that this is a great opportunity
to bring international attention to Guatemala, its culture and the quality of
its athletes. In order to achieve this Mr. Ulmen formed "MARAGUA"
(Marathon Guatemala) a Non-Profit Organization and began to organize a celebration
in conjunction with the Marathon, establishing kiosks to serve Chapin food,
refreshments and other articles representing Guatemala with the purpose of drawing
the Guatemalan community residing in Southern California and unite them in order
to celebrate the participation of their compatriots in the Los Angeles Marathon.
The beginnings were so modest that we had only 4 kiosks and the quantity of
Guatemalans that gathered didn't pass a couple hundred. In order to recognize
the efforts of the competitors we gave them trophies as a symbol of their success.With
all of the limitations, the participation of Guatemala in the Los Angeles Marathon
continued onward, growing more and more with each passing year. It is improving,
not only in the quality of the athletes participating, but the event itself.
It is acquiring such an importance that the numerous Guatemalan community residing
in Southern California felt truly proud of the event that put the name of Guatemala
on a pedestal. It also gave them the opportunity for a safe and sane gathering,
in a time when we lacked a festivity of this nature.We recognize and thank the
participation of the following athletes for the years that they have participated
in the marathon, placing the blue and white of our flag on high with their truly
admirable accomplishments. They are: Dr. Francisco Piedrasanta, José
María Jocholá, Luis Martínez, Juan Ramos, Alfredo
Arévalo Reyes (2003) Established a New Guatemalan National
Record, 2:15:54, The very next year Alfredo established a new
record for Central America and the Caribian of 2:12:53. Federico Yax (1999)
1º and Master's Record, 2:32:19, Rafael Oswaldo Yax Tzoc, Catalino
Yucuté Ramirez, Fermin Seguen, Lázaro Vázquez, Emilio Velázquez,
Emiliano Franco, Antonio Morales, Félix Belos, Alberto Paredes, Rudy
Son, Marcos Juárez, María Del Pilar-Menéndez de Cox, Isabel
Tum, Angelina Turcios, Herlinda Xol, Mirza Gallardo and Margarita De Jesus Conde,
only to mention a few of the best runners. Due to the limitation of space, it
is impossible to mention them all. Now as to this date there has been more than
100 Guatemalan athletes and all are important because they have represented
their country with a lot of heart and great effort.In the Los Angeles Marathon
XVII of 2002 the only countries that had as many male finishers in the first
16 as Guatemala was the USA and Kenya and the only country that had more
females in the first 16 than Guatemala was the USA. This event is of such
great magnitude and is enjoyed so much by its organizers, who run the competition,
by the city of Los Angeles in general, by the communication media, by the Hispanic
population of the great metropolis and the Guatemalans, in particular the participants
that travel from Guatemala.At that time the said event was progressing and also
producing some money that permitted the covering of the numerous expenses that
were required by the organization. But thanks to the generosity of the Guatemalans
and especially to the non-Guatemalan people that love Guatemala, we began to
give modest prizes to the best Chapin finishers. The first finishers, in both
categories, male and female, received U.S.$150.00, each, U.S.$100.00 for second
and U.S.$50.00 for the third. With time the prizes were increased until finally
in recent years, the amount given was U.S.$1,000.00 for each of the two best
Chapines finishers in the marathon, male as well as female. U.S.$500.00 for
the two second places, U.S.$250.00 for the two third places and U.S.$150.00
for the two that occupy fourth place. Last year (2001) the first finishers,
both male and female, received $1500.00 each for being the first Guatemalan
finishers and for finishing in the top 10. This year (2002) the first Guatemalan
finishers received their prize money from the Marathon Organization for finishing
in the top 10 of the 23,000 competitors and there was a modest collection to
be divided among the best finishers. For lack of support from the sponsors there
was not the money to award the customary prizes. Hopefully, the next year we
can again award prize money, but it will depend on the support that we receive.
Now for the 7th of March of the year 2004, that is to say next year, if God
is willing and the people collaborate; we have hopes of increasing the prizes
again. Six years ago the organizers of this race changed the route of the Angelino
Marathon and the Chapines had to look for a new place to unite and celebrate
the participation of their countrymen. Again, John L. Ulmen, now elevated to
the rank of Consul ad-honorem of Guatemala, looked painstakingly for the appropriate
place. Now, the place suggested by him and approved by the authorities for our
activities, is a Parking Lot situated close to the corner of Virgil and Wilshire
streets, almost in the center of the city. However, this year for (2009) the route has to be changed again in order to continually improve the Marathon . THE GUATEMALA COMMUNITY CELEBRATION AND THE MEETING OF OUR ATHLETES WILL NOW MOST LIKELY BE AT BIXEL STREET AND OLYMPIC BOULEVARD AT MILE 25. In regards to the activities the day of the marathon, it now has included approximately
30 kiosks that accommodate sales of Chapin snacks, typical food, refreshments,
commercial representatives and other presentations. A big stage where we presented
two marimbas, singers, artists, folklore dance groups and personalities like
our special guest of honor, Mateo Flores (Name Sake of Guatemala's National
Stadium), world champion of the Boston Marathon in 1952, breaking the record
by 6 minutes, brought especially from Guatemala just for this event. As such
we have a great Guatemalan fiesta to entertain the more than 20,000 spectators
that gather in the said location in order to support applaud and raise the spirits
of the Chapin runners, as well as greatly enjoy this special day.Now it has
become the custom to bring the best Guatemalan qualifiers back to our location
of get together after they finish, in order to invite them to savor the delicious
Chapin food that has been prepared especially for them, to present them to the
public and to present to them the mentioned prizes.Now that the event has been
growing. It has been necessary to count on the cooperation of companies and
persons that generously have supported our activities in order to celebrate
and recognize the sacrifices of our athletes. Among them are: Don Arturo Guerra,
Dr. Rafael Antillón, Mr. Lloyd Kasman, of "Face To Face, Corp.,
Attorney Eduardo Sanchez, Attorney Patrick Rendon, Araceli Jerez de Kawamoto,
"King Express", "Cerveceria Centroamericana", "Guatelinda Nightclub",
"United Airlines", "Antulio Reyes, Guatemalteca Bakery", Channel
27 and its program "Cultura Guatemalteca", seen Sundays at 10:00 AM
and "Celo's & Son Transmissions. Evelina Paredes, who graciously provided
photographs of the activities. We especially want to give thanks to the Korean
Community in Guatemala for providing a Great Coach (Coach Pedro Kim) and for
their support to some of the Guatemalan athletes.Other entities and persons
that have provided their valuable presence and collaboration have been, among
others, the glory of the world marathon Mateo Flores, Famous Personality Francisco
"Paco" Sierra, the great singer Roberto Rey, the young singer Danielita Aldana,
the community activist and folklore supporter, Alida Pérez Santos, Araceli
Jerez, Ramon Diaz, Gustavo Valdez, Angel Morales, Oscar Alvarez, Ruben
Umaña, Roberto Quezada, Eduardo González Goubaud, the Marimba groups Ave Lira from Antigua Guatemala, Señor Cesar De Leon
and his Marimba Murmullos Chapines (Sounds of Guatemala), Señor Samuel
Simon and his marimba Alma Chapina (Chapina Sole), the Marimba of Fine Arts
from the Ministry of Culture and of course, Dr. William A. Burke and his administration
that have done so much for Guatemala, including sponsoring some Guatemalan athletes.We
ask for the forgiveness of those who for lack of space have not been mentioned
here. For all goes our sincere thanks and recognition for their help and unselfish
participation.We reiterate that our participation and celebration in the next
Los Angeles Marathon is projected for: Monday (Memmorial Day) the 25th of May of the year 2009. THE GUATEMALA COMMUNITY CELEBRATION AND THE MEETING OF OUR ATHLETES WILL NOW MOST LIKELY BE AT BIXEL STREET AND OLYMPIC BOULEVARD AT MILE 25. The Fiesta will
begin at 8:00 A.M. and will finish at 5:00 P.M. as always.
If you should desire to respond to our solicitude and participate in some form, leasing a kiosk to sell something, place an ad in our magazine or to make some commercial promotion. If you are able to make a donation or if you want more information concerning the event, we ask you to contact::
Maraguate
Los Angeles, California
Fax: (323) 254-7375
E-Mail: maraton@maratonguatemala.com