A Run for The Pasig River - Event and Race Result

The Philippine International Marathon hosted this recently held event themed "A Run for the Pasig River" aiming to raise funds for the benefit of "Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig" (KBPIP). KBPIP is a project of ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission that aims to clean the Pasig River and its tributaries.

Stradcom Runners "Strathletes" posing for our Certificates

According to news, there were about 22,000 runners and individuals converged in the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta. We saw a lot of groups from the different Universities, PMAers, PNP, and sponsor companies. While our unofficial group "Strathletes", couldn't have been able to participate in this event if not for our Company/HR's encouraging invitation. And since it is a sponsored run for us, we were able to form a bigger running team for the first time, composing of fifteen STRADCOM employees. Mack - our regular running colleague wasn't able to come with us since he has to sleep yet from the overnight activity in the office. One of our office mate brought the love of her life with her who also ran with us. The new batch of faces of fun run runners from the Company gave more excitement to everyone, from the seasonal and to those making it a career.

The only give-aways, Certificates (lol)

As for the run itself, I thought the route would be much easier since there were only three turns and one U-turn (10k turnaround point) for the whole course. Unfortunately, along the way, there are more zigzag paths due to the bulk of runners and "walkers" alike (you know what I mean, hehehe!), specially on the last 3 kilometers where the turnaround point of the 5 and 3 kilometer categories are.

I also forgot to wear my knee pads, or my "anti-rheuma" pads as I call it. My left knee started to ache upon reaching the 6-kilometer mark, the point of time where my lungs have started to relax and take-in more oxygen. I could have already run for a faster pace at this point if not for the pain where I almost tripped twice
on my left leg. This made me run slower instead on the halfway to somehow relax my legs and knees.

Group photo with Mr. Ricky Davao

Comparing the venue of this event with other running events being held at McKinley Hill or at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, the air is much fresh in the latter. Although Luneta is near the seashore, the smell of the ocean doesn't even smell like an ocean and even the presence of salty-smell is absent. I saw a creek or what seems like a small river near the Buendia bridge, and the air in that area is really unpleasant. I thought that maybe the water on that river came from Pasig River (lol!). It's a good thing that DENR and KBPIP is raising funds through events such as this one to somehow, and little by little, re-enliven the Pasig River.

The winner was another "Bulakenyan" runner (you may read the history here why they were called Bulakenyan), as I've heard from the murmurings.

More photos can be found in Facebook.

Event: Philippine International Marathon 2009 - A Run for the Pasig River
Date: Nov. 8, 2009.
Venue: Luneta Park, Manila
Unofficial Time: 00:58:02
Ranking: xxth

Keep posted for the official race results from PIM.