Clark Sunset Marathon set

Run Rio is set to embark on its first night run in its 10-year history and this time it is bringing the race outside of congested Metro Manila.

Dubbed the Clark Sunset Marathon, the night race is schedule on Dec. 9 at Clark Freeport Zone Parade Grounds with distances set at 42 kilometers, 21 km, 10 km, and five kilometers.

Race Director Franco Bambico said Thursday that they hope international runners from neighboring countries in the Southeast Asian region can join the night run.

“We are offering the race not only to the local runners but also to the international runners,” said Bambico during the press conference at Burgoo in Mall of Asia. “We hope runners from countries like Singapore can join.”

At stake for the winner of the 42k race is P100,000 with second and third placers slated to receive P80,000 and P50,000, respectively.

In case foreigners dominate the race, the next top three local participants will also receive P30,000, P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.

Another actor the organizers lean on to attract international runners is that the route the race will use is in accordance to the standards of the International Association of Athletics Federations.

Noemi Julian, manager of Clark Development Corporation Tourism Promotions, said the partnership with Run Rio will last for 10 years and will be used to push Pampanga’s tourism to the forefront.

“This is for the long haul,” said Julian. “This is the opportune time to show what we have in Clark. We expanded the roads so the runners won’t have to run alongside vehicles. The place is really fit and suitable for this event.”

Online registration is now open at RunRio.com.