By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
The Del Rio Marathon will be on Saturday, Oct. 12, inviting runners to promote mental health
awareness.
The marathon is hosted by the Del Rio Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Organization, a non-profit group. As mentioned on the event’s page on the UltraSignup website, the organization’s mission is to break the stigma of PTSD and help local survivors.
The event includes four courses: a marathon and a half-marathon starting at 7:45 a.m., and a 10k and 5k beginning at 8:30 a.m. The marathon is $163.25, the half-marathon is $136.62, the 10k is $55.62, and the 5k is $50.31.
The courses begin at the south lawn of the Val Verde County Courthouse and takes runners
along the areas of Main Street, the Val Verde Winery, the Barrio San Felipe Arch and the San
Felipe Creek. Runners will finish back at the Val Verde Courthouse.
Bruno Lozano, president of the PTSD Awareness Organization, said he began the non-profit
group in 2023 as a response to his personal experiences with PTSD. The organization hosted
its first marathon event with a half-marathon in 2023.
Lozano mentioned how marathons and running in groups help with an individual’s health.
“Running for me is a form of therapy, a form of exercise by getting out and connecting with
nature, and when we run with groups, it is a way to connect with other people, which is more
healthy. (Running with people) is geared towards more health (benefits) then drinking or staying
up super late; this is a more of a natural endorphin-increasing activity,” Lozano said.
Lozano also said people can still register until the day of the event if there are spots available.
People can register on the QR code found on the flyers, which can also be found on the PTSD
Awareness Organization social media accounts. People can also register at the two-day packet
pick-up event.
Runners who registered can pick up their running packets during the packet pick-up event on
Oct. 10 and Oct. 11 at M&L Auto Sales at 501 W. Gibbs St. The packets include a shirt and
surprise “goodies.”
Lozano said all the profits from the event go towards assisting local survivors living with PTSD.
The Del Rio Marathon is also partnered with the 2024 Fiesta de Amistad events, and Lozano
said their group is grateful for the partnership.
