Great Llama Race returns to World’s Fair Park
KNOXVILLE — World’s Fair Park was home to an unusual breed of competition on Saturday as thousands of people and dozens of llamas gathered for Knoxville’s fourth annual Great Llama Race.
The annual race is organized by Lori Santoro, who founded the race’s primary beneficiary, Casa de Sara, in 2000 after traveling to Bolivia to adopt her daughter. The money raised at the race helps the organization fund schools and scholarships for students in Bolivia, and it helps the organization cover the costs of health clinics and medical treatments for the students.
“For us, it impacts a lot of things,” Santoro said. “A little goes a long way in Bolivia, so we really benefit greatly from this event. Locally, it helps too because we give away prize money to the schools that allows them to do certain projects or put money toward certain things they might not otherwise have.”
The llamas ran in several heats throughout the day, with some 31 llamas that came from across the Southeast competing in the races. Each llama is led by a “celebrity” runner who represents a school competing for a chance to win a prize for their school by finishing in the day’s top three spots. Several runners found themselves dragging an obstinate llama along the makeshift race track.
The idea for the annual llama race was inspired in part by the llamas’ status as the national animal of Bolivia, along with a desire to do something unique, according to Santoro.
“Llamas are the national animal of Bolivia, so we thought, ‘Let’s do something fun with llamas.’ So, we contacted Southeast Llama Rescue and said, ‘Let’s race some llamas!’ she said.
“I think people really care, and I think they
“I think people really care, and I think they come out because it’s so fun and because it’s the most unique event you’ll find anywhere.”
– LORI SANTORO
come out because it’s so fun and because it’s the most unique event you’ll find anywhere.”
The excitement around the event and the size of the crowd were encouraging for Santoro, who said she appreciated the support shown by area schools and the organizations that sponsor the event, as well as that of the thousands of people whose enthusiasm added to the excitement of the race.
“This is our main fundraiser, and we want everybody to visit CasaDeSara. org, so they can find out more information, and we just appreciate, so much, the community support, because just by being here you’re helping kids locally and internationally,” Santoro said.
“We’re going to do it again next year, and we want everybody to be involved.”