87,000 runners give Pasig drive big push

MANILA, Philippines -  Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig’s “09.30. 2012 Run, Ride & Roll for the Pasig River” drew around 70,000 participants despite heavy rains in Quezon City yesterday as it made a stronger call for cleaner esteros.

Around 87,000 registered to participate in the advocacy event held to raise funds for the clean-up of esteros in Quezon City. This number was higher than the turnout in “11.20.2011 Run for the Pasig River” that lured 86,547 runners.

“There were still a lot of people despite the rain. They ran in the rain, they biked in the rain. It shows conviction. If people want it bad enough, we’re going to clean the Pasig River,” said Gina Lopez, managing director of ABS-CBN Foundation that operates KBPIP.

Over 86,000 participants registered in the 5km race, which started at 6 a.m. at the Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) going to the Tandang Sora flyover and Luzon Ave. then back to QMC.

Another batch of 1,000 participants, composed of runners, cyclists, and skateboarders left the QMC earlier at 4 a.m. and took the 15km route to Commonwealth Elementary School, then back to the QMC for the finish line.

Among the runners were Sen. Pia Cayetano, ABS-CBN chairman and CEO Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III, Gina Lopez, ABS-CBN Cable Channels and Print Media Group Ernie Lopez, Kapamilya stars Kim Atienza, Matteo Guidicelli, Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador and Xian Lim.

ABS-CBN Safety and Events Risk Management head Martin Aguda said the advocacy event was generally peaceful despite the rains, the huge crowd, and the expectedly heavy traffic congestion around the Elliptical Road.