By Kathy Taylor

Fourteen teams of 8 fun loving people invaded Huatulco’s beaches and streets on January 19th in the 4th Carrera Para La Cruz benefiting the Huatulco Red Cross.

In two and a half hours, the teams visited the Huatulco Recycling Depot, took over the kids’ swings at Colorin Park, photo bombed a family at the Catedral de Guadalupe, swam in a public pool, went shelling at La Entrega, and danced while a stranger serenaded them, among many other tasks. The photo scavenger hunt ended at Parque Guelegetza where the fiesta was just beginning!

Grupo Maraka, Paola Ortiz Martinez and the carnival drummers from Instituto Mexico led by Alejandro Steta kept the crowd on their feet while the judges deliberated. Tamales, tortas, and tacos abounded and the beer was very, very cold.

Finally, the results were in: in first place was HINIVUU, captained by Dan Thompson. HINIVUU is an acronym for the core values of the international Red Cross: Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. The enthusiastic members of this team each received a Noria tablet donated by a generous two time benefactor.

In second place was the RRES team led by Arianna Rollo. Their philosophy was proudly displayed on their rally vehicle, “we make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give”. This team will enjoy a luxurious sunrise yacht cruise. The third prize was claimed by the rally’s most unique team, Parents and Sons, led by Ramon Arambula. Each member received a kilo of delicious locally roasted coffee.

New this year was the Best Costume category and the teams threw their heart and soul into it. Pirates, big bugs, ninjas, more pirates and Pancho Villa look-a-likes baffled the citizens of Huatulco as they swarmed the town. But it was those fluorescent green big-eyed bugs, the Wannabees, that flew away with the prize, each with a pair of Sun Dogs sunglasses.

Volunteers are the real name of the game at an event like this, modelled on the Red Cross motto, and the organizing committee, Mission Red, would like to acknowledge everyone who helped in any way, from judges to beer sellers to food servers. The 2014 committee was chaired by Nancy Norris, with Kathy Taylor, Leigh Arambula, Harriet Tolson, Liz Healey and Araceli Garcia. They wish to extend a big thank you to the sponsors and donors, the great donations to the spectacular raffle, and food and transportation.

The goal for this year’s Carrera was to refurbish the emergency operating room, and the Committee is proud to announce that they will donate over $110,000 pesos toward this goal. Remember, all money raised in Huatulco stays in Huatulco! Together we make it better.