Cali enjoyed Comuna 20 this Sunday with the ‘Ladera RUN 5K’ race
- Carlos Daniel Gómez and Yeira del Mar Campos won the overall men’s and women’s categories.
Santiago de Cali, October 4, 2026
The ‘Ladera RUN 5K’ race wound through Siloé and its narrow streets this Sunday, October 4, amidst the joy of 3,564 competitors (2.137 women and 1.427 men) who had the chance to enjoy the sweeping views of Comuna 20.
Hundreds of athletes heeded the call to arrive at the Alberto Galindo Sports Complex at least an hour early, finding a sensational atmosphere led by event hosts and Francisco Mesa the well-known instructor of the “Dance class and Ciclovida program. They were joined by the Secretary of Sports and Recreation, Alexander Camacho, and the Undersecretary of Development, Andrés Felipe Galindo, who further fired up the crowd's enthusiasm.
Then came the long-awaited moment. A sea of green took over the area's main roads, experiencing the energy of a community that once again played a starring role in a race organized by the Secretariat of Sports and Recreation.
The ‘Ladera RUN 5K’ also held special significance. From the moment the pins were distributed, participants demonstrated their solidarity by bringing hardware and construction materials intended to support the recovery of homes affected by the earthquake of August 10. Thus, every kilometer run was accompanied by a message of unity and solidarity.
Two athletes confirmed they are in top form during the competition. In the women's open category, victory went to 17-year-old Yeira del Mar Campos, a resident of the El Cedro neighborhood, who crossed the finish line delighted with both the result and the course.
"I finished first in the Ladera RUN 5K. I am very happy and very grateful to God and my family. I’ve won several road races, and the work I’ve put in on the track is really paying off here. The course was great; I’m just happy to be able to run," the athlete said.
Yeira balances her law studies at the Universidad Santiago de Cali with a rigorous athletic training regimen. From Monday to Friday, she trains on the track at the Pedro Grajales stadium under the guidance of coach Mónica Gutiérrez a process that once again bore fruit on the streets of Comuna 20.
In the men's open category, the triumph went to Carlos Daniel Gómez, a 25-year-old athlete from the El Ingenio neighborhood and a frequent winner of races organized by the Department of Sports and Recreation.
"I’m back to participate in these races organized by the Department of Sports. I want to thank them and the Mayor's Office again for providing these spaces and for fostering the sense of unity in Cali that always sets us apart," he stated.
Gómez highlighted that this was another opportunity to enjoy the free race courses held in various parts of the city. He noted that he has participated in several of these competitions, winning seven of the eight Department-organized races he has entered.
"As always, the courses are excellent. Today was quite demanding, just like the one of last year. The logistics were great, as always, including the hydration stations. Once again, I want to thank everyone for coming out to participate," he added.
As the final runners crossed the finish line, the event left behind more than just athletic results. The ‘Ladera RUN 5K’ brought together thousands of Cali residents through physical activity, allowing them to traverse one of the city’s most iconic areas and reaffirming that sports can serve as a platform for social integration, solidarity, and community building.
Alexander Camacho, Secretary of Sports and Recreation who completed the entire course himself remarked: “We experienced the Ladera RUN 5K in the best possible way: seeing people at this gathering point having a great time and running through the streets of Comuna 20 amidst spectacular scenery not just the houses of Siloé visible from below, but also the mountains of Cali and the Farallones. Witnessing the joy of the crowd, the seniors, the children with their pets it was truly a spectacle that we, under Mayor Alejandro Eder’s administration, want to leave imprinted on the hearts of the people of Cali.”
Meanwhile, Andrés Felipe Galindo, the Undersecretary for Sports Promotion, stated: “The Ladera RUN 5K like all athletic races organized by the Sports Secretariat aims to unite the community and the people of Cali, promote sports and healthy habits, and, above all, solidify Cali’s status as Colombia’s sports capital. We are the only Sports District in Colombia, and..."
“With these races, which are packed to capacity, we are showing the true face of Cali a sporting city that embraces recreation and physical activity.”
This Sunday, the streets of Siloé served as a venue for competition and community connection alike. Commune 20 welcomed the city, and Cali responded by running.
Results
Women
1. Yeira del Mar Campos - 18.16 minutes
2. Liner Castillo - 18.35
3. Laura Valentina Lombo - 19.11
Men
1. Carlos Daniel Gómez - 15.45 minutes
2. Manuel Antonio Arcila - 15.51
3. Kevin Andrés Rodríguez - 16.07
Children
1. Yeiko Ortiz - 20.59 minutes
Athletes with Disabilities
1. Wílmer Pinzón - 21.31 minutes
With this race, the District Administration continues to strengthen a sports agenda that brings recreation and physical activity closer to the people of Cali, while fostering opportunities for community interaction and active lifestyles.
#AsíRecuperamosCali #CaliSomosTodos
You might be interested in…
Communications Office – District Secretariat of Sports and Recreation
Mayor's Office of Santiago de Cali