Carrera de Todos Santos 2017

Palapa Society Carrera de Todos Santos, Baja, Mexicoby Kathy Wernert

Crunch! Crunch! Inhale. Crunch! Crunch! Exhale. That’s the sound of this year’s Carrera de Todos Santos, the 5K Palapa Society benefit walk/run through the streets of this magical town scheduled for Saturday, December 30th.

The roots for this year’s Carrera de Todos Santos were planted in 2009, when a group of Todos Santos’ locals wanted to stage a 5K run to promote fitness while creating a fun event for the community. A course was selected using the streets of the pueblo and businesses got involved to provide vital sponsorship resources. A race for younger children was also staged as part of the event. The initial race was such a success that it became an annual community event. Each year, racers came from throughout Baja, the mainland, and as far away as the US and Canada to run in the event.

A past runner, Lisa Welsch had this to say. “The Palapa Society’s Todos Santos 5K was fun. The course was challenging with some hills. Running through our beautiful pueblo and seeing the well-wishers along the way made my run so special. With some dirt roads and some paved, it wasn’t hard on the knees. It was well managed with water stations and guides along the way. I’ll do it again. It’s a wonderful cause.”

The race took a break after Hurricane Odile and the major street improvement project in the historical centro. With the community recovered and streets improved, the event was enlarged to include a 10K along with the 5K last year. Once again, local businesses provided much of the financial resources needed to stage a quality event. With their help, an investment was made in sophisticated “chip” timing equipment allowing the Palapa Society to provide accurate timing for each runner. “This is how the major running events do it,” commented Dennis Naigle, chair of the race and Palapa board member.

This year’s race returns to its traditional schedule of December 30th. “December weather in Todos Santos is usually perfect and with the crowds of visitors who flock to the pueblo magico for the holidays, as well as motivated locals, we anticipate a large turnout,” adds Naigle.

The focus this year will be on only a 5K race, using a popular course last run in 2013. The chip timing will be used again to track the runners and have multiple racer categories with trophies and medals for runners of all ages and experience levels.

Staging the Carrera de Todos Santos is truly a community event and couldn’t take place without the support of the Delegado, police force, local business community, a lot of volunteers, and the people of Todos Santos.

Celia Devault, a frequent runner in the 60-something category, crossed the finish line first in her category last year. “This 5k is a great community event that gets people out on the street to walk or run and have some fun. I am looking forward to it again this year.”

All proceeds go to the Palapa Society of Todos Santos whose mission is to provide educational opportunities in the Todos Santos greater area. The recent opening of the new Palapa Learning Center includes the new Palapa School, offering a SEP-certified curriculum to middle students, the bilingual community library recently named Biblioteca Elena Poniatowska, and the Bridge to English program providing English to over 200 students ages five to adult.

Early signup takes place Thursday, December 28, at the La Esquina Farmer’s Market, 9 am – 3 pm and on Friday, December 29, from 10 am to 2 pm in front of Cafélix. Or, entrants can register for the race in the Plaza from 7 – 8:30 am. on Saturday, December 30 to receive a race bib and timing chip. Entry fee is 200 pesos for adults and 150 pesos for students. Race time begins promptly at 9 am.

To register online, or for more information on the Carrera and the Palapa Society, visit: www.palapasociety.org

Festival 2015

Journal del Pacifico Festival 2015 cover by Kate Turning

Journal del Pacifico Festival 2015 cover by Kate Turning

Once again we’re receiving rave reviews on our stunning cover for the Festival 2015 issue of Journal del Pacifico, designed by the über talented Kate Turning. Kate has also designed this year’s Film Festival poster and t-shirts, featuring the same model.

The 12th Annual Festival de Cine Todos Santos takes place this March presenting the best in Latin films and shorts. Films will be shown in Todos Santos, La Paz and Pescadero.  This year’s exciting lineup is a tribute to Mexican women directors and actors and the Baja environment, see our articles on the festival, one of the stars and the current Youth in Video project, “No a la Mina.”

A healthy lifestyle and well-being are on everybody’s minds these days. Bryan Jáuregui of Todos Santos Eco Adventures has written about a small group of local women making big changes to their families’ diets and health in the Greenhouse Greats of Pescadero.

We’re also highlighting some other methods available locally for improving your well-being including the Joy of Floating, Deedee’s outstanding massage therapy, Yamuni body rolling with Emily Gable, and Baja Yoga & Ayurveda with Valma Brenton. After reading our article, we’re sure that you’ll want to try at least one, we sure did!

El Tecolote Bookstore is sponsoring “Words and Wine” at La Bodega de Todos Santos. Wednesday, February 18, at 5 pm, meet award-winning author Bruce Berger as he reads from his latest book ‘The End of the Sherry,’ a beautiful memoir chronicling the life and times of Bruce as he copes with the Franco dictatorship in Southern Spain as a young, 20-something American.

Pura Vida Health Foods has opened a second location in downtown Todos Santos behind the Ezra Katz gallery. They are also working hard on re-opening their original location behind the Pemex.

Guayabas Juice Bar is open across from the Guaycura Boutique Hotel in the Todos Santos historic district. Their delicious juices, smoothies and grilled paninis are all made from local and organic produce. The courtyard patio also has free wi-fi.

Leading up to this year’s Academy Awards, Gallo Azul Art & Pizza in Todos Santos is having movie night every Tuesday. Check out their Facebook page for this week’s movie and make your reservations.

March 17th, Shut Up Frank’s will be holding their 19th Annual St. Paty’s Day party. Frank has been making authentic corned beef and will be serving it up with all the fixings. They’ve also added sliced turkey, pastrami and beef sandwiches on homemade bread to their regular menu and have new pizza oven.

El Arco Eléctrica & Plomería’s friendly staff can help you with all your construction and repair needs at two convenient locations in Todos Santos and off Abasolo in La Paz.

La Paz Cruisers Supply provides necessary equipment for cruising boats. They are located at the Marina Palmira in La Paz. While you’re there, check out their Eagle Images Gallery.

Mi Pueblito the colorful traditional Mexican restaurant in the Todos Santos historic district has become a popular spot with locals. Keep you eye out, they will be moving across the street, next to La Bodega de Todos Santos, in the next couple of months.

Cantamar Restaurant, next door to Carnitas Uruapan, on calle Militar in Todos Santos serves up the delicious Mexican breakfasts and lunches and features different daily specials. Don’t worry, you can still order Carnitas Uruapan’s savory pozole next door.

Mini Super Munchies is located in Pescadero near the beach and Rancho Pescadero. You can find everything you need without having to go to town, including micro brews, wine and food to go.

Cafélix’s new Pescadero location is now open 7 am to 7 pm, and Wednesdays until 3 pm. Look for the brick building on the main highway south of the Pemex.

Brody’s Pizza on the road to Los Cerritos is open again and serving up Italian style pizza, fresh salads and spaghetti.

Need a ride from the airport or an area tour? The bilingual and knowledgeable, “Neto” of California Tours provides reliable transportation and area tours to Todos Santos, La Paz, El Triunfo and more!

You can see the entire issue online by clicking here.

Deadline for our Spring/Primavera 2015 issue of Journal del Pacifico is March 6th. Look for our feature stories on the GastroVino Festival and exciting changes at Rancho Pescadero. Contact us for more information or click here for our ad prices and sizes.

Saludos!