Your complete guide to the Lola Challenge this weekend

The Lola Challenge Weekend, a sporting event that has spent a decade raising funds to support nonprofit organizations in Puerto Rico, returns Aug. 23-25 with three main events in Old San Juan.

Navigate it like a pro with this short guide, which covers the schedule, parking and available transportation services, among other relevant topics.

Schedule and dates for the Lola Challenge

The main events of the Lola Challenge Weekend include a 5K, a 10K and a half marathon (21K), held on three consecutive days.

• The 5K takes place Friday, Aug. 23 at 4:30 a.m., starting from avenida Constitución (in front of Casa Olímpica).

• The 10K starts Saturday, Aug. 24 at 4:30 a.m., from Cuartel de Ballajá.

• The events conclude Sunday, Aug. 25 with the half marathon (21K). That race begins at 4:00 a.m. from Castillo San Felipe del Morro.

Restrooms and water stations

Portable restrooms will be available near the start and finish areas, as well as in the Ocean Park area along the 21K route.

Water stations will also be set up near the start and finish areas of each race, as well as at designated points along each route.

5K Oasis x4

• Start

• Guardia Nacional

• Casa Cuna

• Finish

10K Oasis x5

• Start

• Capitolio

• Frente a Torre de La Reina

• Puente Peatonal (Escambrón)

• Finish

21K Oasis x7

• Start

• Capitolio

• Frente a Torre de la Reina

• Frente a Freshmart (Condado)

• Frente a Tienda 3 Palmas y Gasolinera

• Frente a Gasolinera Punta Las Marias

• Finish

Lola Health & Fitness Expo at Pedrín Zorrilla

As a lead-up to the races, the Lola Health & Fitness Expo will be held Aug. 21 and 22 at Coliseo Pedrín Zorrilla, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Registered participants can view sponsor exhibits, pick up their runner packets and complete the registration process.

What to know when participating and picking up your packet

• Parking has a flat fee of $3.

• To pick up your participation packet, you must bring a photo ID and registration confirmation (email or QR code, which must be the most recent one).

• If you cannot pick up your packet in person, you may authorize a friend or family member to do so. That person must have a photo ID, a printed copy of the participant's photo ID, a signed authorization letter from the participant and registration confirmation (email or QR code, which must be the most recent one).

• The participation packet includes: race shirts, a participant number (BIB) and other promotional items.

Where to eat in Old San Juan

Once the race is over, if you want to stay in San Juan a little longer, there are several places you can visit.

If you're hungry or thirsty:

• Chocobar Cortés, calle San Francisco

• St. Germain, calle Sol

• Mercado La Carreta, calle de la Luna

• Café Cuatro Sombras, calle Recinto Sur

• Don Ruiz Coffee, calle Norzagaray

• Kaffe Haus, calle Tetúan

• Spiga, calle de San Justo

• Café del Niño, calle Tetúan

Stops worth making in Old San Juan

No visit to Old San Juan is complete without making one of these seven unique stops. For example, you could visit Museo Casa Blanca, the former home of Juan Ponce de León; you also have the chance to pick up a few books at Librería Laberinto or grab a cold one at Cervecería del Callejón.

And there's more: we also have a more comprehensive guide to other things you can do in Old San Juan depending on your mood.

Parking and shuttle

services Near Casa Olímpica you'll find Multipiso Covadonga, Estacionamiento Paseo Portuario and Multipiso Doña Fela. Adjacent to Cuartel de Ballajá and Castillo San Felipe del Morro is Ballajá Parking Garage.

• Multipiso Doña Fela: open 24 hours a day. Hourly rate.

• Multipiso Covadonga: open until 2:00 a.m.

• Paseo Portuario: open 24 hours a day. Hourly rate.

• La Puntilla: Hourly rate. This parking lot will be accessible Saturday and Sunday.

The following hotels offer shuttle service, with buses running on rotation to transport participants from parking lots near the start area.

• Hotel Caribe Hilton

• Hotel El Rumbao

In addition, these parking lots offer shuttle service starting at 2:00 a.m., with a flat fee of $15.

• Lote Muelle 6 (al lado de Hacienda)

• Lote Muelle 10 (frente a Estrella)

• Lote al lado del Salvation Army

• Estacionamiento Escambrón

Shuttle schedule

For a good cause

Over a decade, the Lola Challenge Weekend has supported eight Puerto Rican nonprofit organizations. This year, the funds raised will go to the Fundación de Esclerosis Múltiple de Puerto Rico.

Find more details about the Lola Challenge Weekend at its website.

This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).