The 'March for Cerebral Palsy' race gathers more than 2.300 people in the Les Corts neighborhood of Barcelona
The race took place this Sunday morning in the Les Corts neighborhood of Barcelona, i vto stand outr once again for the great participation and integration of different groups in equal opportunities.
In a familiar, playful, but also vindictive atmosphere, tribute was paid to all the people who, in one way or another, live with cerebral palsy or other similar disabilities, at the same time that an effort was made to make visible and raise awareness about the reality of people with cerebral palsy, and to emphasize their capabilities. In this way, the race, where people of all ages participate, with and without disabilities, was projected as a fully shared activity, in an effective display of the possibilities of full social integration.
The actor and presenter Quim Masferrer, protagonist of the poster of the race together with Víctor, Seryoga and Pol, animated the event from the stage, but also went down to the street, where he took pictures with the participants. The race, as is tradition, had two routes, one of 5km and one of 1km. On the occasion of the race, IPSEN Pharma made a donation of 15.000 euros to the Catalan Federation of Cerebral Palsy Organizations (FEPCCAT) which must be used to develop projects in favor of people with cerebral palsy. ASPACE is a member entity of the FEPCCAT and our president, Lluis Farrés, is the vice-president of the Federation's executive body.
The councilor for Family, Children, Time Use and Disability and President of the Municipal Institute of Disabled Persons of Barcelona, Laia Ortiz, accompanied the race and expressed how important this type of event is for the city events, where barriers are overcome and people with and without disabilities are equal. The representatives of the FEPCCAT and IPSEN Pharma also expressed themselves in this line, who observed that the initial expectations of participation had been exceeded. The president of FEPCCAT, Ma Mercè Batlle, and Guillermo Castillo, CEO of IPSEN Pharma, participated on behalf of the organizers. The secretary of FEPCCAT and president of Confederación Aspace, Jaume Marí, didn't want to miss the event either, as did our president, Lluis Farrés, who actively participates in this solidarity race year after year.
The councilor of the Corts District of Barcelona, Agustí Colom, also accompanied the race; the Secretary of Health Care and Participation of the Department of Health, David Elvira; representing the Department of Work, Social Affairs and Families, the general director of Social Protection, Joan Ramon Ruíz; the deputy for Public Health and Consumer Affairs, Laura Martínez Portell; the representative of the Provincial Council of Barcelona in the Area of Attention to People, Josep Sicart; and the president of the Third Sector Board, Oriol Illa.
The party closed with the awarding of prizes by representatives of FEPCCAT, IPSEN Pharma and the invited authorities to up to 24 winners in the various categories. It should be borne in mind that the solidarity race "On the march for cerebral palsy" distinguishes between 3 age groups (over 18 years, between 13 and 17 years, and under 12 years), two routes (5km and 1km), and if the circuit has been covered on foot, on foot with reduced mobility, with a manual chair or with an electric chair. Finally, the song "Jo sóc com tu" was danced, versioned and interpreted by the Catarres, and created by the Santi Project, of the El Maresme Foundation. The theme had previously been used for the flashmob with which FEPCCAT and IPSEN had promoted the race.
As many of you already know, this is an initiative open to the whole public in a fun-festive day that aims to involve the whole of Catalan society in favor of the group of people with cerebral palsy and other similar etiologies.
The race, with two routes (one and five kilometres), has become in all the previous editions a success of participation and has made it possible to recognize the efforts of all the people who, in one way or another, live together with cerebral palsy or other similar etiologies and who struggle day by day to try to reach a way of life that is as normal as possible.
At 8 in the morning, the runners began to arrive at Sant Ramon Nonat avenue where the start and the epicenter of this event was located. Crowds of people gathered at this point dressed in the official purple shirt that gave color and visibility to this very special day.
At 9:30, the first 5km race was kicked off. The participants had to go around Camp Nou, go up Carrer Martí i Franquès, go down Josep Samitier, take a hard climb up Avenida Doctor Marañon, reach Avenida Xile to connect with Carrer Cardenal Reig and return to the point starting point where the goal was located.
Then it was the turn of the runners of the 1 km race that ran along Carrer Cardenal Reig making a round trip along this street. At 10:15 the start was given and the runners started this shorter route which became a moment of brotherhood and celebration.
Once all the participants reached the finish line and got some air, it was time for the prize giving.
A resounding success of this sixth edition of the "March for Cerebral Palsy", which is becoming a national event.
See you next year!!
More photos: https://es-la.facebook.com/enmarxa
