Chirripó Festival

Once a year, in late February, San Gerardo hosts a four day fiesta known as La Carrera Ecológica Cultural Internacional Campo Traviesa Chirripó in English: the International Chirripó Marathon.

Chirripó Race & Fiesta 2008

More photos from 2008’s exciting race! Fiesta preparations, competitors and football tournament! Check out the results of the 2008 race here.

Chirripó Race & Fiesta 2007

2007 saw the 19th season and over 1000 people: competitors, supporters, tourists and sponsors arrived in the tiny village to put on the biggest show in the south!

Believe it or not hundreds of athletic competitors arrive from all over the world to race 34-km up and down the country’s highest peak – Cerro Chirripó! Starting at 7 a.m. (in the cool!) runners leave from Plaza de San Gerardo de Rivas, heading uphill to the Crestones base camp and down again. The winner usually returns in just over 3 hours, though the fun goes on all day as young and old, women and men, return to a hero’s welcome in the plaza.

Over the four days the village Community Association and the Race Committee puts on a variety of wonderful activities including:

• Musical entertainment
• Food and drink available all day
• Dances – for young and old alike!
• Soccer tournament – men’s and boys’ teams
• Horse show
• Firework display
• Local arts for sale

For a flavour of real Costa Rican celebrations visit San Gerardo during the Races – don’t forget to book ahead as hotels will be hopping!