Del Run boost to Marikina tree-planting

MANILA, Philippines – Marikina City Mayor Del de Guzman is spearheading the advocacy to plant 50,000 trees in the 20-hectare Marikina Watershed within the year through the staging of the Del Run (Marikina Marathon) on April 22 at the Marikina Sports Park.

“I’m confident that through the first-ever Del Run, this mission will be accomplished,” said De Guzman who graced the PSA Forum yesterday at Shakey’s UN Ave.     

The Del Run is open to all running enthusiasts with proceeds to fund the tree-planting in the Marikina Watershed.

According to Gil Munar, committee head of the Del Run who also joined De Guzman in the weekly sports forum, the organizers committed 10 trees to be planted in the Marikina Watershed for every registered runner. 

“We are inviting everyone to join as this marathon does not only promote good health to the runners but it will also benefit the Marikina Watershed which is the city’s first line of defense every time rain falls. Joining the fun run will surely save many lives from floods,” De Guzman said.

Events on tap are the 5k, 10k, and 21k races, all featuring male and female divisions with cash prizes up grabs for the top three placers in each category.

Registration is ongoing. Booths will be available in SM Marikina, Graceland Mall Plaza, Marikina Puregold branches, Marikina Sports Park, and the Labor Relations and Public Employment Service Office.

Fee for the 5k and 10k is P400 while for the 21k race is P500. A singlet will also be given upon registration.

The Del Run is spearheaded by the city government of Marikina in cooperation with the Rotary Club Zone of Ma rikina and Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It is supported by Meralco, SM Marikina, Manila Water, Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation, Arms Corporation, Delfi Foods, Puregold, and Millex Construction.

For registrations and additional information, contact the Labor Relations and Public Employment Service Office at 681-9277.

The 21k winner will get P10,000 while the second and third placers will receive P7,000 and P5,000, respectively. In the 10k race, the top three placers will get P5,000, P3,000 and P2,000, respectively while in the 5k, the winners will win P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000, respectively.

There are also special awards to be given to the first 5k finisher below the age of 10 and the first 10k and 21k finisher who is at least 60 years old.

The route for the 5k run would start at the Marikina Sports Park going to Sumulong, then to the banks of the Marikina River, and back to MSP.

For the 10k run, from MSP, runners will go to Sumulong, to the banks of the Marikina River, going to Barangay Tumana, Barangay Malanday, then back to MSP.

Meanwhile, the route for the 21k run will start at MSP, going to Sumulong, then to the banks of Marikina River, going to Barangay Tumana, running along J.P. Rizal Street to Bayan-Bayanan, Barangay Marikina Heights, Kalayaan Avenue, Sumulong, and finally heading back to MSP.