The Mendoza town of Chacras de Coria will host a family charity marathon aimed at raising funds for the construction of the San Carlo Acutis Chapel. The event will be held on Sunday, October 25, starting at 10 a.m., with the start line at the Chacras de Coria plaza and an open call for participants of all ages. The initiative seeks to gather resources to continue the construction of the temple dedicated to the young Italian saint, a project that relies on community contributions and needs new funds to keep moving forward.
The event will offer three categories: Kids, 4K and 10K. Running is not required to participate, as organizers also invite people to complete the routes walking or by bicycle, skates and skateboard. After the sports activity, there will be games, prizes and raffles for families to enjoy together. The goal is to attract participants and broaden collaboration with a religious project that aims to become a space for gathering and visits.
The chapel is located at Viamonte 1062, in Chacras de Coria, and has already completed the foundations and basement. However, construction was interrupted for nearly two months during March and April, until contributions from faithful in various parts of the country allowed work to resume. Carlos Bajach, the construction director, highlighted the value of community participation in making the project a reality. «It is exciting to see how a project that seemed distant is beginning to become a reality. But much remains to be done and we need to keep adding support so that this chapel can be completed,» he said. The goal is to inaugurate the temple during the first half of 2028. To achieve that, the initiative’s promoters are seeking to sustain charity campaigns and attract collaborators who can make monthly contributions according to their financial means.
Registration for the marathon is done through the organization’s online form. Fees vary by age and number of family members: under 12, $14,000; first adult, $24,000; second adult, $18,000; from the third member, $14,000 per person. T-shirts and race numbers will be distributed on Saturday, October 24, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro parish in Chacras de Coria. Those who wish to support the construction through monthly contributions can also check the options available on the official San Carlo Acutis Chapel website.
Context and relevance
Carlo Acutis was canonized by Pope Leo XIV on September 7, 2025. He died in 2006 at age 15 and gained recognition for using digital tools to spread the Catholic faith and document Eucharistic miracles recognized by the Church. His connection to technology and evangelization among young people earned him the nickname «cyber-apostle of the Eucharist.» The Chacras de Coria chapel aims to become a space dedicated to his figure and attract faithful and visitors. Although the building is still under construction, the site already receives visitors from various parts of Argentina and abroad. In March, the saint’s relics arrived at the site for the first time and the Mendoza Legislature declared the project of provincial interest. Sunday’s marathon will be a new opportunity to bring the community together around the initiative and raise resources so that construction can continue.
Original source: www.memo.com.ar (published October 20, 2026)
Foto: Brandon Morgan en Unsplash
