cycling casa de campo

This post is also available in: Spanish

During the 15th annual Hogar del Niño Weekend, which took place on Friday and Saturday the 17th and 18th of February, the 2nd MTB bike marathon, with the participation of 72 Casa de Campo villa owners wheeled it’s way around Casa de Campo!

Members of the La Romana bike club “Los Cañeros” prepare for the race!

The MTB bike marathon was once again organized by the Cañeros, a bike club based in La Romana town ran by Casa de Campo villa owner Simon Lopez, with Casa de Campo villa owner and cycling enthusiast, Carmen Santoni in charge of the organization of the marathon.
We feel very happy to be able to help these children [of the Hogar del Niño] who are in so much need. The MTB marathon attracted 72 participants of all ages – from just 5 years old up to 70 years old, who took part in this event to benefit the children of the Hogar del Niño. The participants had the opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled day whilst at the same time raising more than RD$60,000 for the Hogar del Niño charity. I think it’s a really interesting event, because it allows our children to make an effort and participate in something to benefit others who need our help. —– Carmen Santoni, Casa de Campo villa owner and organizer of the Hogar del Niño bike marathon
The group of 72 intrepid biking explorers raced away from the starting line at the La Romana Country Club at 8:30am and sped their way around Casa de Campo from the La Romana Country Club to Altos de Chavón and Punta Aguila, traversing roads, bouncing through mud and potholes and exploring areas not normally visited by your average visitor – what an adventure! Many members of the Casa de Campo community – big and small rode out on 2 different routes: A (26km) and B (10km) , in 4 different categories; ‘pareja infantil’ (pair including a child), ‘pareja libre’ (any 2 people), ‘categoria libre’ (mens individual) and ‘categoria libre’ (women’s individual).

And they’re off! The bikers set off on their route around Casa de Campo

The bike marathon both started and ended at the La Romana Country Club, where upon finishing the race everyone received a medal and were able to recharge their batteried with a hotdog, McDonald’s treat or even a cheeky beer!

With so many of Casa de Campo’s little ones involved this is a great new event for the Hogar del Niño and a really fun way to get the kids involved!

The 2nd Hogar del Niño Bike Marathon – Results

Women’s individual 1st: Pilar Camarero 2nd: Maria Elmufdi 3rd: Tina Levy 4th: Annelisa Olivo 5th: Johanna Martinez Men’s individual 1st: Joan Peña 2nd: Carlos Medina 3rd: Arturo Quezada 4th: Sigfrido Elmufdi 5th: Bill Everett “Pareja infantil” – pair including a child 1st: Humerto Pitzalis and Diego Elmufdi 2nd: Frank Cedeno and Frank Jr Cedeno 3rd: Victor Jr Polonia and Alexander Mercedes 4th: Alfredo Johnson and Randi Lizaldo 5th: Yahil Puello and Leira Perez “Pareja libre” – any 2 people 1st: VICTOR POLONIA and Denny J. Mercedes 2nd: Rene Lopez and Rene Lopez (son) 3rd: Derek Cau and Rafael Moreno 4th: Elvis Cuevas
The following photos were taken during the 2nd Hogar del Niño MTB bike marathon in Casa de Campo: 
Click here for an overview of the entire Hogar del Niño event!
The Hogar del Niño The Hogar del Niño is a children’s daycare and educational center for over 1500 children, located in La Romana town, just outside of Casa de Campo. Children from as young as just a few weeks old up to 18 years old are cared for and educated daily, from as early as 5:30am and staying as late as 7pm. The organization also provides special schooling to over 75 hearing impaired and blind children, as well as a vocational school where over 235 students receive classes in different areas like: sewing; industrial preparation, installation and electrical maintenance; plumbing and management of computer office programs. Contact the Hogar del Niño on: Tel: (809) 523-8901 or (809) 556-3181 Email: info@pbo.org.do Website: www.hogardelnino.com