PNP joins Beam-Zest-O run

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will join the Beam-Zest-O Patakbong Pinoy as other service commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are expected to follow suit in the race set Oct. 5, Sunday at the Raja Sulaiman Park fronting the Malate Church.

The PNP adds to the growing list of participants that include 127-strong group from the St. Augustine School of Nursing-Makati under School director Regina Cordero and coordinator Alex Guevarra.

Other organizations expected to field their runners for the special cash prize of P5,000 for the biggest delegation are veteran marathoner Rey Antoque’s Tarlac/Army runners, Tutuban Joggers Club, Directlink, Letran cagers under coach Louie Alas, Philippine Christian University and Adamson University.

Nelson Macaraig of the organizing Media Runners and Sports Promotions and Jonel Promotions said the response is so overwhelming with a good two weeks to go that he estimates at least a thousand runners on race day itself.

"This is a heart-warming show of force from most of our running organizations and we are elated that most of the participants agree with our twice-a-month format for the whole year," said Macaraig, whose race offers P3,000 for the top placers in the men’s and women’s divisions.

Second and third placers will take home P2,000 and P1,000, respectively. The first 100 finishers will take home t-shirts while the rest of the field will receive finishers certificates.

Participants below 18 need only to show their school identification cards and submit the completed entry form along with only the P30 entry fee and an empty carton of any size/variant of Beam Toothpaste. Regular participants need only to submit the completed entry form, a P50 entry fee and an empty carton of any size/variant of Beam Toothpaste.

Proof of purchases of Beam Toothpaste with name, address and signature will be included in a raffle for Beam/Zest-O gift packs after the race.

Registration outlets will be set up in Greenhills and Marikina.

Registration is now in full swing at the San Andres Sports Complex in Malate, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. Inquiries: 09176911259 and 09195399572.