DAGUPAN CITY -- The International Women's Day will be marked here with the holding of an all-women marathon in northern Luzon.

Registration of participants will be held at the city plaza starting at 5 a.m. Sunday.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. will do the firing shot to signal the start of the race.

Panagbenga 2009 blog

About 400 women aged eight years old and above from the city and other places are expected to participate in the three-kilometer and five-kilometer Year 3 of the Dagupan Pinay Idol Marathon.

The marathon was organized by City Councilor Farah Marie Decano and the Kiwanis Club of Dagupena, Metro Dagupan.

This is in cooperation with the Dagupan City Schools Division with their physical education teachers acting as technical officials.

The top five finishers in both categories will receive cash prizes and medals.

Meanwhile, the top three groups (school, barangay and others) with the most number of runners/participants who finished the race will receive cash prizes.

Dagupan Pinay Idol Marathon Year 3 Chairman Margie Ursua said the marathon is sponsored by Circulan 4-in-1 and Lungcare plus.

The support groups include the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)-Pangasinan chapter, Deltacom-Dagupan chapter, the city's Public Order and Safety Office (POSD).

Ursua also thanked Pangasinan Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Pangasinan Board Members Kazel Celeste (Pangasinan SK Federation president) and Charizzma Salud Carancho, and Pangasinan Police Director for extending assistance to the holding of the marathon.

The City Government also organized other activities for women this Women's Month.

There are free pap smear tests at the city social hygiene office; livelihood seminars for reflexology, cosmetology, nanny and housekeeping training; adult literacy program and a forum for the uplifting of women's lives in the city.

There will also be a one-stop-shop Pasalubong center at the Dagupan City Malimgas Public Market. To be sold are products made by women groups here. (LCMY/Sunnex)