Bolivian Cholitas' bike street race in El Alto

Sorting cars and traffic, dozens of Bolivian Indigenous women, Cholitas, on Saturday raced on bicycles through the streets of El Alto.

The feat of riding in their traditional attire, with long and ample skirts, is only matched by doing it at 4,150 meters (13,615 feet) above sea level.

El Alto, a neighboring city of capital La Paz, is one of the highest populated areas in the world. Oxygen is scarce and for those not acclimatized, exercising at that height extenuating.

At the finish line, some of the participants rested, lying on the floor.

Laura Ramírez Huarachi, winner of "El Alto, Cholitas Bicycle race," said Indigenous women in Bolivia find an opportunity to shine and improve.

"We have this kind of thinking to study, practice various sports, and this race helps us a lot," Ramírez Huarachi said.

She made a time of 11 minutes 11 seconds, earning the first place in the over 30 years category for the seventh annual bike race in El Alto.

Bolivia's native population has suffered decades of discrimination, but in recent years, local women have emerged empowered and now celebrate their heritage.

They proudly participate in multiple cultural activities and sports.