Camsur race a Boston Marathon qualifier

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino runners seeking to qualify for the prestigious Boston Marathon get the opportunity in the 2nd Summit Water Camsur Marathon on Sunday.

Race director Rio dela Cruz said that the Camsur Marathon is the only accredited course by international bodies, making it eligible to a qualifying run for the Boston race.

Camarines Sur Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte, who is spearheading efforts to stage the race, said they expect 20,000 runners to participate in the race that ends inside the Camsur Watersports Complex.

“We’re expecting at least 20,000 runners this time around and we believe we can attain that,” said Villafuerte, who, along with Dela Cruz, attended the PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue Tuesday.

Dubbed the “Race to a Green Philippines,” which is in line with with his government’s advocacy to plant 12 million trees by 2012, the Camsur Marathon has been recognized by both the International Association of Athletics Federation and Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

“Now Filipino runners no longer need to race abroad just to qualify for the Boston Marathon,” said Villafuerte.

“Our very own Camsur Marathon will be a qualifying race to one of the world’s famous running events.”

Dela Cruz said that the April 2012 Boston Marathon qualifying standard for Filipino runners 34 years old is three hours and 10 minutes.

The men and women’s champion will receive P125,000 each with the second and third placers getting P90,000 and P50,000, respectively.