STORY: Hundreds of Cuban inline skaters participated on Saturday (December 13) in the fifth edition of the Havana Skate Marathon, on a circuit that passes through iconic points of the city.

The competition, which in previous years has been part of the World Skate Marathon Tour, limited its international scope this year due to the crisis affecting the island, but still managed to attract many local skaters and fans, according to the event organizers.

The 42 km (26.1 miles) route includes six laps along much of the iconic Malecon seawall and avenues of the historic center, with the National Capitol and the colonial Morro Castle in the background.

The Havana Skate event began in 2019 and is characterized by the participation of skaters of all ages, many of them Cuban children and teenagers.

The event also includes competitions in disciplines such as skateboarding, spinning, skate cross and speed skating.

The event also commemorates the 506th anniversary of the city of Havana, when Spanish conquerors settled in the Port of Carenas and founded San Cristobal de La Habana in 1519.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: HAVANA, CUBA (DECEMBER 13, 2024) (REUTERS – Access All)

1. INLINE SKATERS RACING AT MARATHON KICK-OFF

2. VARIOUS OF SKATERS RACING ALONG MALECON WATERFRONT

3. INLINE SKATERS RACING ON AVENUE WITH CAPITOL BUILDING IN THE BACKGROUND

4. SKATERS ROLLING

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ORGANIZER OF THE HAVANA SKATE MARATHON, TONY GARCIA, SAYING:

"Havana Skate is a celebration for Cubans, a celebration for all Cuban skating and for the people of Havana and Cuba in general. I think the success of Havana Skate has been that people get to enjoy the whole event, all the extras that go beyond the high-performance competition that is the marathon."

6. INLINE SKATERS CROSSING OLD HAVANA AVENUE

7. SKATERS RACING ALONG MALECON WATERFRONT

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN INLINE SKATER, WENDY FRAGA, SAYING:

“We're here in front of the Malecon, an icon of Cuba, you know? Everyone wants to be here, many can, many can't, and the children are having fun, which is what matters most, the children and their parents too, the adults. They're giving it their all, which is what matters most.”

9. VARIOUS OF WOMEN INLINE SKATERS RACING ALONG MALECON WATERFRONT AVENUE

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ATTENDEE, AMANDA LEON, SAYING:

“This event has helped people become much more interested in skating, encouraging children to come and say, ‘I want to skate,’ and encouraging many more to get involved in the world of skating. And people like my boyfriend, who spend the whole year training to show off their skills at this event, which is one of the few skating events in Cuba.”

11. SKATERS PASSING THROUGH AVENUE WITH MORRO CASTLE IN THE BACKGOUND

12. SKATERS APPROACHING AND CROSSING THE FINISH LINE