Gov. LRay launches country’s biggest international marathon

“The Race to Rebuild the Nation”

20,000 participants expected

PILI, CamSur – Governor LRay Villafuerte and principal sponsors formally launched last Wednesday, June 16, the SUMMIT WATER CAMSUR MARATHON—expected to be the biggest international marathon ever to be staged in the country—during a luncheon cum presscon held at the elegant ballroom of the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City attended by over 200 media, sports and showbiz personalities.

The marathon is set for September 26, 2010 centered at the CamSur Watersports Complex of the provincial capitol of Camarines Sur, hailed as the best cable wake park in the world that has dramatically boosted the province to the top spot as most visited destination in the country, and will be staged in six categories – 3 k, 5 k, 10 k, 21 k, 42 k and the bayanihan runs.

To date and still a long way to racing day, top runners from around the world have signified intention to join the race, including Luka Chelimo and John Mutai Kipyator of Kenya, Asnake Fekadu and Frehiwot Dado of Ethiopia, Alexey Sokolov of Russia, Matt Smith of England and Eric Mazimpaka of Rwanda  as well as elite women long distance running stars Irena Jelagat and Joyce Kandie of Kenya, Meseret Lagesse and Zebanay Moges of Ethiopia, Roz Alexander of Scotland and Milka Mihaillova of Bulgaria.

With Summit as title sponsor Smart as presenting sponsor supported by 100 Plus, Timex and Philippine Star rooting for the marathon and top-notch running coach Rio de la Cruz orchestrating the event as race director,  Governor Villafuerte is optimistic the race will draw the participation of no less than 20,000 runners from all around the country and other nations.

The bayanihan category where teams will run specifically to generate funds for humanitarian causes makes the marathon a unique and distinct event the organizers dub the “Race to Rebuild the Nation.”

Proceeds of the marathon will be for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga’s shelter program, the Organ Donor Card involved in organ donation advocacy and the KIDS Foundation focused on uplifting the youth’s standard of living.

“I have been to many press conferences of this kind ever since I was commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission and now in the Department of Tourism, this is the biggest such press conference I have ever attended,” DoT undersecretary Cynthia Carreon said.

Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga was specifically grateful for being involved in the marathon, lauding the race project as a “world-class and inventive initiative that is transforming Camarines Sur into first-world country without leaving the poor behind”.

Personalities at the presscon aside from the media that came en masse included Hubert Tan of Asia Brewery, Patrick Gregorio of Smart, Senator Pia Cayetano, Tessa Prieto-Valdez and Dyan Castillejo who are both keen on joining the marathon, Dr. Enrique Ona, director of the National Kidney Transplant Institute and Dawn Zulueta representing Organ Donor Card as well a showbiz celebrities Mark Nelson who emceed the activity and Iza Calzado whose mother is a Bicolana.

When realized, the marathon will be among the biggest running events in Asia, second only to Singapore which attracted around 60,000 runners some time ago. (GBClaveria/MMEC)

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