QC marathon promises to be runner-friendly

MANILA, Philippines - With more race personnel such as marshals, security and first-aid teams to be fielded, the second Quezon City International Marathon (QCIM) promises to be more runner-friendly when it hits the road on Dec. 5.

“We learned our lessons in the first QCIM so we promise to work doubly hard to make the second edition of this premier marathon enjoyable not only for the competitive runners but also for those who will race in our fun runs,” Rudy Fernandez, chairman of the organizing Executive Runners Inc. (Runnex), said.

Each of the 5K, 10K, 21K and 42K races will have its own complement of marshals, security and medical teams specifically assigned to look after the runners in each category of the event sponsored by SM Development Corporation, Robinson’s, San Jose Builders, San Miguel Corporation, Unilab, Meralco, Maxima, Unileve, Isuzu Philippines, SSS, Manila Water, Immuvit and Herbalife.

Media sponsors include GMA, ABS-CBN, DZMM, The Philippine Star, Takbo.ph, Auto Review, and Philippine Amateur Radio Association as communications partner.

“We also have made the course in each distance challenging yet fun,” said second QCIM technical director Neville Manaois of the event, which also has Powerade and Viva Mineral Water as hydration partners.

Manaois added that the race routes have been taken into consideration to ensure the welfare of motorists and commuters alike.

Registration is going and will end Sunday at the third level of the Bahay ng Alumni inside the UP-Diliman campus and at the Second Wind on Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City.

Fees are pegged at P450 for the 5k and 10k fun runs, P600 for the 21k half-marathon and P750 for the 42.195-kilometer full marathon.

The event is backed by Procter and Gamble Running Club, Maxima Runners, Angeles Electric Running Club, BPI Running Club, Abacus Running Club, Runners Plus, Takbo.ph, Front Runner Magazine Running Club, Tarayem Running Club of Vigan, Cebu Executive Runners Club, Fairview Running Club;

Sing Merchandising Binondo Running Friends, Matanglawin Runners, Don Bosco Running Club, Standard Chartered Running Club, Citibank Running Club and the Republic Chemical Industries, Inc. Running Team.

The field includes SSS president Emil de Quiros and Gen. (Ret.) Danny Lim, who will see action in the men’s 10k division, and Sun Life CEO and president Riza Mantaring, an avid runner.