Thousands expected in QCIM

MORE than 10,000 runners will converge tomorrow for the 4th SMDC-Quezon City International Marathon which starts and ends infront of QC Memorial Circle.

Executive Runners Club of the  Philippines (Runnex) chair and president Francisco Cayetano Jr. said the 42K event will be fired off at 3 a.m.  The 21K race starts at 4:30 a.m., 10K at  5:50 a.m. and 5K at 6 a.m.

“We would like to have our runners racing in safe and secure surroundings, which is why we want to start early,” said Cayetano.  “We also want to clear the streets earlier for motorists and commuters.”

Cosmers Kembei and Pamela Chipkoge, both from Eldoret town in Kenya, ruled the centerpiece event last year, marking the third time in a row that Kenyans topped the event.

Luisa Raterta was the best placed PH runner last year, finishing third overall in the distaff side.  Gerard Sabal wound up seventh overall in the male category.

Participants will run through a flat out-and-back course starting from the Quezon City Hall.  Aside from Commonwealth Ave., the route highlights some of Quezon City’s major landmarks  such as the UP Diliman campus and La Mesa Water Dam Eco-Park.

The QCIM is co-presented by SM Development Corporation, supported by BPI, Meralco, SSS, Manila North Tollways, AGC, Isuzu, Chris Sports, Maynilad, Manila Water, Summit, Gatorade, Salonpas, Fonterra and Maxima Machineries and jointly organized by Runnex and the QC government.  Romina S. Austria