With the goal of promoting physical activity as a tool to promote social well-being, the government of Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz of Tijuana officially presented the “Cada Paso Cuenta” (Every Step Counts) race, a public initiative that will take place on Saturday, May 31 at 7:00 a.m. in Parque Morelos.
During a press conference, local Secretary of Social Well-Being Erik Morales announced that this event is part of World No Tobacco Day activities, a joint effort between the government, civil society, and the private industry to address the root causes of addiction.
“Through the Department of Social Well-Being, together with the Municipal Institute Against Addictions (IMCAD), the Municipal Committee Against Addictions (COMCA), and the Municipal Sports Institute (IMDET), with the support of Tijuana’s Municipal System of Theme Parks (SIMPATT), we are promoting actions that strengthen people’s physical and emotional health. This cannot be achieved alone—it happens when we understand that Tijuana is everyone’s responsibility,” Erik Morales stated.
During the event, the Director of IMCAD, Florina Righetti Rojo, explained that this race is part of the prevention task force’s work, where key issues are addressed.
“Tobacco is a legal drug, yes, but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous. To this day, it remains one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide, and it is urgent to raise awareness about its consequences,” she said.
Righetti Rojo added that the sporting event includes a five-kilometer route for running, jogging, or walking, aiming to raise awareness among citizens about the harms of tobacco use and encourage healthier lifestyles.
The race has already registered over 1,500 participants, with the top five finishers receiving cash prizes ranging from $1,500 pesos ($78 USD) to $5,000 pesos ($259 USD). Registrations remain open via a QR code available on the official social media pages of Tijuana’s City Hall.
Also in attendance were Paola Leyva Izaguirre, Director of DIF Tijuana; Israel Villafuerte Zamora, head of the SIMPATT; Rubén Razo Zavala, President of the Tijuana Municipal Athletics League; and Adrián Ceballos Andrade, Head of Promotions and Events at Coca-Cola.
