Marble Falls man ‘runs’ for the children

Quinn, a Marble Falls resident and a member of Team Traverse Trail Running, is competing in and helping organize the inaugural Ultramarathon Fuego y Agua 100K Dec. 13 on the Isle de Ometepe, Nicaragua. 

The proceeds from the event will help fund medical care for children; racers also are being asked to collect running shoes for a burgeoning cross-country program, he said.

The race will take competitors from one active volcano — with heat—to an inactive caldera — filled with water — at a second volcano. 

“I guess it could be considered a vacation,” Quinn chuckled Thursday. 

Quinn, who has been competing in running events of more than 26.2 miles — the standard marathon distance, equal to 42 kilometers — for several years, is helping organize the fundraiser in Central America. The run features a 50K or 100K race.

Though he’s helping with the race, Quinn also plans on entering the 100K leg. 

“The island is basically the shape of an hourglass with a volcano on both ends,” he said. “There’s an isthmus that connects the two larger parts of the island. The course will take us around the edge of the island.”

Quinn said there were about 25 runners as of Thursday from several nations signed up. 

“Since it’s the first time we’ve held it, we weren’t expecting a big turnout such as a 100 or so,” he said. 

Much of the course is over simple dirt roads which the runners will share with typical modes of island transportation such as horses, donkey and cattle. 

But this is more than a mere race. Organizers are also raising funds for children’s programs on the island and to encourage eco-tourism in the area. 

Quinn said the idea for the venue came from his partner Josue Stephens, who performed missionary work in the area.

“He’s been on the ground down there organizing things with the people and community,” Quinn said. “I’ve been here handling the charity side.”

When they decided to hold the race, Quinn and Stephens wanted to avoid an event where runners swept in, raced and then left without contributing to humanitarian and local needs.

The pair devised several ways the race and competitors could aid the residents, businesses and children of Isle de Ometepe.

Quinn and Stephens have been soliciting donations which will go  to a local clinic. One of Quinn’s former college classmates practices natureopathic medicine at the clinic and is helping ensure the funds get to the residents — mainly children, who need it the most.

The racers will also work side-by-side with locals Dec. 11 on a pre-race trash pickup.

“We’re also asking racers to bring shoes for children because we want to help start a youth cross-country program on the island,” Quinn said. “Cross country and running is a pretty simple sport to get involved in. You basically strap a pair of shoes on your feet and go.”

Quinn and Stephens want to collect as many pairs of running shoes as possible for the island  youth. Then they will work with local adults to get a running program going. Even after returning to the states, the two men can help monitor and advise the Isle de Ometepe cross-country program via the Internet and by other means.

The organizers are also encouraging competitors to stay in local motels and shop in local markets and stores.

“We want to help the local businesses as much as possible,” Quinn said. “We look at this as being a win-win for us and the residents.”

In most ultra-marathons, the aid stations are placed every three to four miles . In the Fuego y Aqua, Quinn said they are placing them eight to nine miles apart. But along the course there are numerous “mom-and-pop” grocery stores.

“We’re trying to encourage the runners to stop at these stores during the race if they need something to drink or eat,” Quinn said. “And we’ve been in contact with the stores to let them know the runners will be coming through.”

Encouraging positive interaction among residents and runners will help to break down stereotypes built up on both sides.

“There are so many stereotypes Nicaraguans have about us and we have about them,” Quinn said. “But they’re just basically people like us who want to work, feed their family and take care of each other. And we want them to understand that we don’t all drive Mercedes and live in Hollywood. I think doing things like this helps people see each other on a personal level and understand each other.”

For more information on the race or to make a donation, go to www.josuestephens.com or www.fuegoyagua100.com.

daniel@thepicayune.com