Festive winter period in Mexican, Guatemalan and some other countries in Central Americaculture
Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon is a concept typical of
Spaniard Heritage culture. It began in the decade of the 1970s in Guatemala and 1990s in Mexico and informally refers to the festive period from December 12 (Day of the
Virgin of Guadalupe) to January 6 (Day of the
Epiphany, popularly known as "Reyes Magos" or
Three Wise Men). During this period there are several holidays which, linked together, create a "marathon" of festivities.[1] During this period, the challenge is not only to attend the festivities but to at least drink any type of alcoholic beverage every day.[citation needed] This Marathon is not part of the Mexican Folklore; it is merely a pop-culture activity.
The celebrations linked together by the Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon are:
The last celebration of the season is Day of
Candelaria on February 2. In Mexico, this festivity is linked to the feast of the Magi on January 6 by the traditional
rosca de reyes. It is also common to celebrate consuming the traditional
atole and
tamales. However, being almost a month away from all the celebrations that happen in late December and early January, it is excluded from the "Marathon". Common celebrations include consuming alcoholic beverages daily leading up to a mass celebration on the last day of the festival.
The name of the marathon (Guadalupe Reyes) has also been used in advertising. Certain comedy shows [which?] sometimes feature the fictional character of "Guadalupe Reyes", a proper
Mexican name which can belong either to a male or a female.