By Zoila Palma: Eleven-year-old Solange Mangandib of the Cayo District continues to make her mark in the local running scene after placing second overall in the female category at the Hoka Lady 5K and 10K race held in the Mountain Pine Ridge area.
Solange participated in the event alongside her mother, father, aunts, uncle and younger cousin, representing their family team, NFJF Run Club.
The family’s race weekend began with a camping experience at a forest station, where they spent Saturday night enjoying the outdoors ahead of the competition.
Solange also expressed gratitude to the Belize Defence Force (BDF) personnel stationed there for their warm hospitality.
The race presented a new challenge for the young runner, as it was her first time competing on a mountain route in Mountain Pine Ridge.
Despite the unfamiliar terrain, Solange completed the 4.1-kilometre course in an impressive 19 minutes and 22 seconds, earning second place overall in the female category. She also achieved a personal milestone by completing a kilometre in under four minutes for the first time.
Running appears to be a family affair, as Solange’s mother placed third in the 30-39 age category, while her aunt, Roxy, secured first place in the same category.
Solange congratulated her fellow family members and the rest of the running community for completing the challenge.
Reflecting on her 2026 running season, Solange described it as one to remember, noting that she has participated in more races this year than ever before and earned several podium finishes.
The post 11-year-old Solange Mangandib places second overall at Hoka Lady 5K and 10K race appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Eleven-year-old Solange Mangandib of the Cayo District continues to make her mark in the local running scene after placing second overall in the female category at the Hoka Lady 5K and 10K race held in the Mountain Pine Ridge area. Solange participated in the event alongside her mother, father, aunts, uncle and
The post 11-year-old Solange Mangandib places second overall at Hoka Lady 5K and 10K race appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
