Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - On Sunday, Mayor Arturo Davalos Peña waved the starting flag of the first edition of Acuatlón Puerto Vallarta, a sporting event that promises to become one of the most important athletic competitions in the Banderas Bay region.

During the event, Arturo Davalos commented on the importance of diversifying the sporting activities available to the people of Vallarta, which is why he has given instructions to the Municipal Sport Council, led by José Amador Hernandez Madrigal, to continue working on the promotion and organization of events like this competition, a discipline that is new to many Vallartenses.

The sport of aquathlon consists of a continuous, three-stage race involving running, then swimming, followed by more running, which requires each of the competing athletes to give it their all.

The contest was divided into several categories, ranging from Children, who ran a one kilometer race, and swam 200 meters, to the Veteran athletes, who ran 5 kilometers and swam 1 kilometer.

In all cases, the competitors raced from the Hotel Rosita at the north end of the Malecón to "El Molino" on the south end, then rushed over to Playa Camarones for a swim in the ocean, (which fortunately offered excellent conditions), then ran back to the starting line.

More than 150 contenders competed in the sporting event's different categories. In the Veteran Men's Open, which awarded cash prizes, the winner was René Alfonso Anduaga with a record time of 37:26 minutes, followed by José Rodríguez and Álvaro Paz.

In the Women's division, Karina Jazmín Flores made the best time with 46:22 minutes, followed closely by Alma Rogelia and Berenice Santillan.

Everyone here at Banderas News congratulates all of the athletes who participated in the first edition of Acuatlón Puerto Vallarta.