Bigger, better Pasig marathon set

The Clean and Green Foundation, Inc. yesterday launched the Pasig River Heritage Marathon — patterned after the Boston, New York and Berlin marathons — with the promise that this year’s version will improve on last year’s inaugural run which had no champion and virtually all its runners got lost on their way to the finish line.

The 42-K run, which will afford participants and observers the unique experience of traveling from the Old World to the New, starts at the Manila Cathedral in ancient Intramuros at 4 a.m. on Feb. 24 and culminates at the new Global City of Fort Bonifacio. It will cross 11 landmark bridges spanning the Pasig as the route winds through streets in Manila, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati and Taguig.

The marathon route goes from point to point – similar to the New York and Berlin marathons – instead of the usual out and back.

Project director Ramon Jacinto-Socco assured participants that this year’s run will be much better organized and conducted than on its maiden staging last year when the organizers declared a "failure of the race" after most of the runners either went in the wrong direction, were rerouted or made a shortcut to the finish line.