<p>The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), a running organisation representing some of the world’s leading distance races, is delighted to announce the <strong>Maratón de las Flores Medellín</strong> as the 2017 recipient of the <strong>AIMS Social Award</strong>.</p>

<p>The award, which recognises races working towards achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals*, will be presented to the Colombian race during the fifth annual AIMS ‘Best Marathon Runner’ (BMR) Awards Gala to be held in the birth place of the Marathon in Athens, Greece on 10 November 2017.</p>
<p>The eight Millennium Development Goals include eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, combatting disease, decreasing child mortality, promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and ensuring environmental stability.</p>
<p><span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;">Each year, the Maratón de las Flores Medellín supports social causes as part of their event. In 2017, the race </span>organisers<span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;"> committed to </span>support<span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;"> the following causes;</span></p>
<p><span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;"><strong>United for Colombia (UFC):</strong> The Maratón de las Flores has supported the UFC since 2003 by sponsoring rehabilitation for people injured by land mines. The efforts also include fundraising to support the cost of prosthetics and </span>organising<span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;"> an additional race during the year to support this cause.</span></p>
<p><strong>Breast Cancer:</strong> The Avon Foundation and Fundayama held the 2nd edition of the ‘Avon Run/Walk for Breast Cancer’ in October 2017, organising a 10k and 5k event. As one of the leading events in Colombia, the Maratón de las Flores supports the cause by communicating directly about the event with their entrants, thousands of runners in Colombia and around the world.</p>
<p><strong>Pasos de Felicidad:</strong> is a movement of young runners raising money for disadvantaged communities. The runners participating in this program support these runners by donating 1,000 Colombian pesos for every km they run in the Maratón de las Flores. Hence, for completing the marathon a donation of 42,000 pesos is made.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Paco Borao, President of AIMS comments: “I am very pleased that AIMS are recognising the Maratón de las Flores Medellín and their support of a wide range of important social causes in Colombia. We look forward to welcoming them to Athens.”</p>
<p><span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;">Gustavo Orozco Posada, Race Director of the Maratón de las Flores Medellín comments: “We are </span>honoured<span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;"> that AIMS has chosen to give us this award. We feel very strongly about our social initiatives and we look forward to visiting Athens for the BMR Gala.”</span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: underline;">About the AIMS Best Marathon Runner Award Gala</span></strong></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;">The purpose of the BMR Award Gala is to:</span></strong>&nbsp;</p>
<p>I. Announce and honour the best male and female Marathon runners of the year through the <strong>AIMS BEST MARATHON RUNNER (BMR)</strong> Award.</p>
<p><span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;">II. </span>Recognise<span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;"> and </span>honour<span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;"> exceptional Marathon figureheads and personalities for their contribution to the development of the Marathon movement.</span></p>
<p><span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;">III. </span>Publicise<span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;"> and promote the best practice and initiatives of AIMS members (435+ race </span>organisers<span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;">) through the establishment of special environmental and social awards.</span></p>
<p><span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;">IV. Enhance the role, programs </span>and<span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;"> services of AIMS.</span></p>
<p><span style="background-color: inherit; color: inherit; font-family: inherit;">The event will be staged in Athens, Greece on Friday 10 November 2017 and is co-organised with the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), ‘Athens Marathon. The Authentic.’ and the Region of Attica, held under the kind sponsorship of the ‘Greek National Tourism Organisation’ and ‘Athens International Airport’.</span></p>