Guatemala City, Dec 10 (EFE).- Castillo Hermanos, through its initiative “Guatemalans for Nutrition,” announced this week the launch of a five- and ten-kilometer race called “Every Kilometer Counts” to raise awareness and rally Guatemalans against malnutrition.
The sporting event is to take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, on the Reforma circuit in Zone 10 of Guatemala City, to highlight the success of the “Guatemalans for Nutrition” program.
According to a report by researcher Sophia Aguirre of the Catholic University of America in Washington, the program has reduced both acute and chronic malnutrition in the communities where it operates.
The president of Castillo Hermanos, Stuardo Sinibaldi, emphasized that the race seeks to “raise awareness of child malnutrition and call all Guatemalans to action after such a successful project.”
Since 2022, the initiative has invested $15 million and operated in the province of Huehuetenango (in western Guatemala), specifically in the municipalities of La Libertad, Cuilco, La Democracia, Santa Eulalia, and San Pedro Soloma.
In an external audit this year, the Catholic University of America in Washington confirmed the effectiveness of “Guatemalans for Nutrition”. It reported significant progress in the communities treated, where acute malnutrition among children under five was drastically reduced, from 6% to just 0.38%, and chronic malnutrition fell by 17%.
The study also revealed that pregnant and lactating women suffered up to 76% less recurrent illnesses with access to the Nutrimóviles camp services.
Six new Nutrimobiles to be presented
On the day before the race, Saturday, January 31, and as part of the event, six new mobile units (four laboratories and two clinics) for the program will be presented. The units, with improvements in design and equipment, will strengthen health, nutrition, and child development services in hard-to-reach areas of Huehuetenango.
With the addition of the new Nutrimobiles, the program’s coverage will be expanded to serve more than 6,000 children under the age of five, in addition to the more than 5,500 families and 15,000 people already registered.
“More than a sporting event, it is an activity where we will share with families who want to participate in the launch of our six new mobile units. It is an opportunity to join in at the beginning of the year in an activity that promotes health and mobility, but also raises awareness that nutrition is still an issue and that we can all get involved,” said Guatemalans for Nutrition Executive Director José Silva.
Race registration is available online and costs 150 quetzals (about $9.58). The program will use funds raised to improve living conditions and access to water for 2,000 families. Improvements include installing latrines, improved stoves, and rainwater-harvesting systems. EFE