INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines--An estimated 21,000 runners, including five from Kenya, will answer the starting gun of the Philippine International Marathon which starts and finish at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila Sunday.

The country?s third 42K international event in four weeks, the PIM: A Run for the Pasig River aims to boost awareness about and raise funds to rehabilitate the Pasig River.

Kenyans have ruled recent international races in the country?the inaugural Quezon City International Marathon and the second Subic International Marathon.
Crescenciano Sabal, the 33rd Milo Marathon winner on Oct. 11 and fifth placer in the QCIM, will spearhead the local charge.

A unique feature of the race is the 42K marathon which can also be run by a relay team of 20 people. About 3,000 runners have registered for the full marathon category.

The route will provide a glimpse of the state of the river as well as challenge runners with a nontraditional route?crossing nine of 13 bridges of the Pasig River.

The 42K winner will receive P30,000 in cash and products worth P70,000 and the runner-up P20,000 cash and P30,000 worth of products.

?The marathon is a step of faith,? said Gina Lopez, one of the prime movers of Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig. ?Together, we can clean the river.? Romina S. Austria