The Chapala area will soon be abuzz as throngs of residents and visitors gather for a variety of high-octane action events lined up for the last two weekends of the month. Here’s a run-down of what’s in store.
CYCLING RACES
First up is the Clásica Unedel, a two-part cycling competition sponsored by Jalisco’s Asociación de Ciclismo and the Chapala Sport Commission.
The first round takes place Saturday, April 23, starting at 4 p.m., with riders pedaling around downtown Chapala along Avenida Madero, Calle Morelos, Calle 5 de Mayo and Paseo Ramón Corona.
Racing continues Sunday, April 24, 9 a.m., over a route traced along the Ajijic highway in La Floresta.
ACTÍVATE CIRCUIT
Also set for Sunday, April 24 is the first leg of Actívate con Valor (Activate with Values), a 12-part series of athletic contests scheduled over eight months, jointly organized by Jalisco’s Sports Council (CODE) and the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
The Chapala event will consist of running races for distances of three, five and 10 kilometers, all setting out from the Fuente de Pescadores at the south end of Avenida Madero at 8 a.m. to head west on Avenida Hidalgo and the Chapala-Ajijic highway. The last turn-back point is the Libramiento junction, with the finish line set at the starting point. A one-kilometer route is set for runners in a special category for seniors and the disabled, along with sprints of different lengths for kids age 14 and under.
Students and professors from Chapala’s ITS Tech Institute will have the honors of leading the racers’ pack and highlighting the event theme of team work.
The entire Activate program is aimed at instilling leadership skills among young adults through the practice of healthy physical activities and social values. Although competitions are geared for students enrolled in Jalisco’s technical school system, enrollment in all of the events is also open to the general public.
Subsequent races, each with a designated value theme, will be held in Arandas, La Huerta, Tamazula, Puerto Vallarta, Mascota, El Grullo, Tala, Lagos de Moreno, Tequila, Cocula, Tlajomulco, Guadalajara and Zapopan, concluding in November with the Inter-Tech Games in Zapotlanejo. Details are spelled out on-line at http://activateconvalor.com.
IRONRANCH
Coming up early Saturday, April 30 is IronRanch, an out-of-the-box competition for hard core fitness buffs, to be headquartered at the Club Náutico Nimue in La Floresta. The event has four different contest components, with activity getting under way at 8 a.m.
The full challenge starts with a five-kilometer kayak race at the Chapala waterfront, followed by a 40-kilometer mountain bike endurance test to the Mezcala mountain range and back, segueing into a final 10-kilometer run on foot to the host venue.
The sprint category comprises 20 kilometers on mountain bike, 2.5 kilometers by kayak and eight kilometers on foot.
The other options are a simple10-kilometer foot race and a two-person team relay comprising a five-kilometer kayak circuit, 40 kilometers on mountain bike and 10 kilometers on foot.
The IronRanch matches will wrap up with a music fest and pool party on the Club Náutico grounds. Look for registration information and the rest of the scoop at the ironranch.mx website.
AEROFEST
And closing out the month on a virtual sky-high note, Chapala hosts the April 30 AeroFest a multi-faceted spectacle of flying machines centered at the waterfront Malecón, with entertainment starting at Noon.
Originally scheduled for March 25, the air show was postponed at the last minute due to weather forecast warnings of dangerous wind conditions. Organizers are crossing their fingers for better luck on the new date.
Expect thrills and chills in watching exhibitions of remote control model planes, ultralight flying, airplane acrobatics and skydiving.
Daredevils with fat wallets will have a chance to head for the clouds in helicopter rides (1,950 pesos per person, courtesy drink, souvenir photo and flight certificate included) and skydive jumps (3,500 pesos per person, including souvenir photo and video), programmed from 9 a.m. Reservations may be booked by calling 331-996-6278.
Added attractions include a kite flying contest for kids starting at 9:30 a.m., along with music and food truck services all day long.
Admission to the show is free of charge. Seating in the VIP zone is available for 200 pesos a head, reserved at the aforementioned number.
Follow the Aerofest Facebook page to keep abreast of up-to-the-minute details.
Parking places may be hard to find and some roads closed to vehicles during these events.