The 14th TCS Clark Animo International Marathon 2024
Clark Freeport’s longest-running, biggest running event was held successfully on March 3, 2024, the 14th edition of one of the country’s reputable running events – TCS Clark Animo International Marathon 2024.
Started in 2009 with 600 runners as a fun run organized by the Pampanga regional unit of the De La Salle Alumni Association (DLSAA), it was originally intended to promote healthy lifestyle while raising funds for the community projects of the newly organized DLSAA-Pampanga Chapter.
At the START/FINISH Arc of the S Clark Animo International Marathon 2024 which attracted runners from 21 countries/territories since 2009.
The Clark Animo Fun Run’s popularity eventually grew to 5,000 runners which convinced DLSAA-Pampanga to reintroduce a more serious marathon running inside the freeport in 2013 after 5 years of absence. The number of participants peaked before the pandemic reaching the 10,000 mark.
Mr Wilfred Esporrma, a Filipino is this year’s fastest full-marathon runner clocking an impressive 2:49:49 on an IAAF-WORLD ATHLETICS certified course.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions is the Title Sponsor for 2024’s edition. TCS has been an ardent sponsor of worldwide sporting events including the TCS-New York Marathon, TCS-London Marathon, and TCS-Mumbai Marathon to name a few.
According to Mr. Paw Bangsil, current President of the De La Salle Alumni Association – Pampanga, ‘aside from being a non-profit marathon, its accreditation as an IAAF-World Athletics (WA-AIMS) Internationally Certified Marathon Course is also worth noting. All the runners are assured of accurate course measurement honored by marathon events around the world given the strict qualifying times of most of the world’s prestigious marathons.
The event also includes a 2.5KM Kid’s Race
Mr. Shiju Varghese, TCS Philippines Country Head who initiated supporting the Clark Animo International Marathon fundraiser since 2016 as part of their company wellness and community initiatives added: ‘TCS as a company has been known to be active in serving the community, particularly environment-related projects which the group DLSAA-Pampanga advocates. We believe the seven(7) years of partnership would be mutually beneficial for our community and organizational objectives.’
TCS Philippines Country Head Mr. Shiju Varghese (4th from left) with the TCS Team and DLSAA-Pampanga Clark Animo organizers.
The beneficiaries for the 2024 marathon were the Angeles City Watershed Project at the Upper Clark area by the Abacan River Angeles Watershed-Advocacy Council Inc (ARAW-ACI) which aims to reforest the area to address the dwindling water supply of the Metro Clark area and the La Salle Botanical Gardens (LSBG) at Alviera, Porac, Pampanga which De La Salle Philippines’ scientific research centre for the collection, propagation, and promotion of native trees and plants.
ADVT.
