Story
The Programme Coordinator in Guatemala, Dr Walter Lopez, is running the International Half Marathon of Cobán in May for LEPRA Health in Action. Walter is an avid runner and is undertaking this 21 km challenging race on the 16th May. The Cobán half has been described as the ‘three H’ course: hot, humid and hilly. Walter is aiming to finish the race with a very fast time of 2 hours 10 minutes! Approximately 3,000 runners attend every year – but there are usually more cheering fans than participants! In the build up to the race, the town’s population increases by more than 20%. TV cameras, radio helicopters, interviewers and tourists line the streets. After 8 km, the race goes towards the neighbouring town of Carcha – where the runners are greeted with music, ever increasing cheering and fireworks. By 15km, the race has returned to Coban, where thousands of spectators watch while the runners struggle with the heat. There’s one big hill before the finish line and then the race is finished. This will be the fifth time that Walter has participated in the race.
Walter joined the Guatemala office in 2007, and is now an incredibly valuable member of the team. He is excellent at training staff about malaria, and those who’ve been trained see him as a real guru. He is much loved by everyone involved in the programme.We are really proud of Walter, and wish him all the best! Coban is the capital of Alta Verapaz, a district in Guatemala, where LEPRA Heath in Action Guatemala implements a project to mobilize communities against malaria. As the Guatemala programme coordinator, Walter plays an important role in ensuring the smooth running of the programme, training staff, and helping many communities to prevent malaria. All money raised will go to LEPRA Health in Action. Please see our website at www.leprahealthinaction.org, to find out more about how we support communities like those that Walter helps, in Latin America, Africa and Asia.