La Ruta course unaffected by earthquake

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Costa Rica's Central-North area last Thursday did not affect the course for the La Ruta de los Conquistadores stage race. The Pacific, Central-South and Caribbean areas of the country, which host the traditional course, were not damaged.

The quake, with an epicenter located some 50 kilometers north of San José, destroyed more than 20 kilometers of roads and more than 400 houses, but most of the tourist interest points and tour operations across the nation are still working normally. 20 people have been found dead thus far and more than 40 others are missing at "ground zero" where the quake took place.

Organizers said they appreciated the concern and messages of support following the quake. "It is very sad to see what is happening to our country and our people. It has been a disaster at the zone that was directly hit by the earthquake," said La Ruta's PR Director Luis Rueda.

"Nevertheless, the line that crosses the Costa Rican territory from the Pacific to the Caribbean through the center of the country fortunately was unaffected," said Rueda.

The next edition of the race is scheduled for November 11-14.