Saturday, 2nd October 2010, about 1,700 rollerbladers, their friends, families and supporters took to the streets of Buenos Aires for the city’s first-ever rollerblading marathon, Buenos Aires Roller 2010.
Hundreds of bladers line up for the start of Buenos Aires Roller 2010 (photo/Marc Rogers)
The roller event consisted of four separate races, 14km for fitness, 2km for children, a 30km for women’s world cup skating and a 40km for men’s world cup skating and cost $40 for children and between $50 and $70 to sign-up for. As early as 1pm, people of every age crowded the street, Diagonal Norte, following the route of the marathon from the Obelisco to the Plaza de Mayo.
José Arias stood amidst the bustling street, flooded with people clad in the blue and white Kappa race shirts. The 12-year-old participant from Jujuy, Argentina, took photos with his companions while warming up on the sidelines.
“Today I’m racing in the two kilometre race,” he said, donning a helmet, knee and elbow pads. “But someday I’d like to race in the 14km.”
All ages and all levels of expertise appeared at the roller marathon. Whether they are passionate skaters or shaky first-timers, many skaters came out to the marathon to enjoy themselves more than to compete.
“We’ve skated since we were kids,” said Constanza Esconda, sitting curbside with her sister, Pilar Fernández, lacing up for the race.
“[We’re doing this] For fun, more than anything else,” declared Fernández.
“I also just want to finish,” laughed Esconda.
Some bladers took a light-hearted approach to the marathon (photo/Paula Capozzoli)
Tio Huber, veteran of the inline skating culture, hit the ground rolling with other members in his club, Patín en Linea, for the 14km. No strangers to distance-blading in Buenos Aires, Huber and club have participated in many non-competitive roller-treks around Palermo, Puerto Madero, and even in other countries.
“When we go out to skate we will do 20km or so, but we will socialize and chat with each other,” said Huber. “It’s not a marathon, it’s not a race, and it’s not a competition; we just get together in groups because we like the same [rollerblading], nothing more.”
As the 14km kicked off at 4pm, the front rows of the racers became blurs of colored spandex crossing the starting line. Others bladed at a speed meant for socializing, chatting with those around them and waving to their supporters. Participants racing and others rolling the seven laps around the course as pedestrians watched alongside their teammates.
The world cup segment of the BA Roller 2010 brought a fresh wave of rollerbladers from around the world, representing their country’s colours, competing in the 40km race. From Chile and Brazil all the way to Portugal and Italy, many blading enthusiasts participating in the inaugural marathon came ready to represent their country.
The Roller Lagos Dos Descombrimentos team of Portugal brought five of their bladers to the race, clad in orange and blue.
“I’ve been skating since I was 12,” said 23-year-old Goncalo Marreiros. “I’m not sure we will be first, but I hope we win.”
The participants and the spectators alike enjoyed the premiere event, though German Campisi, who was in charge of the press for BA Roller 2010 noted that even though many were happy that the event passed without serious incident, some minor bugs still had to be worked out.
“Being the first time, the errors were notable. For example, pedestrians who do not respect road closures, as well as certain drivers,” assessed Campisi. “There remains room for improvement which we hope to polish for the next time.”
The tents of sponsors for the BA Roller 2010 lined the course passing out information and samples. A giant inflatable Gatorade bottle mingled with the throngs of spectators, while other sponsors passed free magazines to the cheering supporters and eager bladers.
The pace quickened in the World Inline Cup 40km race (photo/Bruno Saavedra)
The main sponsors of the event Renault, the City of Buenos Aires, Argentine Olympic Committee, and the Secretary of Sports and numerous others, Campisi believed, provided a great contribution.
“There was major support from government and sports secretary, good predispocision for what we needed,” said Campisi. “It strengthens us and makes us want to create a more regular event.”
Though many participated for fun, a race would not be a race without a winner. Coming in first for the 14km was Gonzalo Dos Santos Soares, coming in with a time of 32 minutes 18 seconds. Second place was Martín Leyes and third was Luis Pisoni, barely seconds behind Dos Santos Soares.
Marcela Cortés trimuphed the women’s division of the 14km with 32 minutes 23 seconds, followed about a minute later by Mariel Albasini and Marcela Cons.
As for Buenos Aires Roller 2011, word still needs to be released. However, the participants from this year are enthusiastic and looking forward to the next marathon.
“It’s my first race, and it’s the first one I’ve seen of this magnitude in Buenos Aires,” said Leandro Rodriguez Baetz, 28 year-old from BA who finished in under 45 minutes. “I’d like to do this again the next time.”
Lead image by Ignacio Fonda
View images of the day at The Indy Eye.
