P10-M proceeds eyed in the 'Run for the Pasig River'

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

AT LEAST P10 million may be raised from an eco-footrace that aims to rehabilitate the Pasig River, the event's organizers said.

Monchet Olives, chief strategic officer of ABS-CBN Foundation, said some 116,000 have already registered for the 3k, 5k, and 10k races of the "Run for the Pasig River" set on Sunday.

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"Our goal is to generate the same amount as last year, which is P10 million net," he said.

The event will also hold the "Heritage Run," a special 21k event for invited guests and VIPs headed by ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Gina Lopez.

The race will begin at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Pedro Gil along Roxas Boulevard and will end at the Mall of Asia Complex.

"We're optimistic we'll meet big numbers but not really break the Guinness World Record this year, considering there are many other running events scheduled at this time,” Olives said.

Last year, actual participants reached 116,086 runners, breaking a 20-year-old world mark for the “Most number of participants in a racing event.”

Proceeds of the registration fees – P300 for 3k and 5k (students get discounted rate of P150) and P450 for 10k run – will be allotted to the initial rehab of Estero de San Miguel.

The former food source and recreation area for Manila residents and expatriates in the past centuries has become a dumping area for settlers as well as industries located in the fringes of the 27-kilometer river.

Celebrities from the Kapamilya network will also participate in the race including Karylle, Kim Atienza, and “Pinoy Biggest Loser” grand winner Larry Martin. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)