Esguerra pushes for Pasig River rehab run

Renowned horseowner Hermie Esguerra doesn’t mind being involved in a different kind of race. Especially if it is for a noble cause.

More than just a yearly running event, Esguerra said the Pasig River Heritage Marathon (PRHM) set this Sunday (Feb. 29) is actually aimed at promoting consciousness of the public’s role and responsibility towards the revival and rehabilitation of the Pasig River.

"It’s not just a marathon campaign but an advocacy run," said Esguerra, chairman of PRHM, in the PSA Forum yesterday at the Manila Pavilion.

The sportsman, known more as the owner of champion horse Wind Blown, had been involved with the project since nine years ago when then First Lady Amelita Ramos launched a campaign to rehabilitate Pasig River under her ‘Piso Para sa Pasig’ project.

He later accepted the chairmanship of PRHM provided the annual run will be completely geared towards the expansion of the program.

"The concept of the run before was to be at par with the likes of the Boston Marathon. But I convinced them to redirect it to the advocacy of the clean and green, that’s why I accepted the position," said Esguerra in the public sports program sponsored by Red Bull and Agfa Colors.

Around 2,500 are set to participate in the event, 350 of them to join the centerpiece 42K run that would span the length of the historic Fort Santiago in Intramuros through a circuitous city route, ending at the cosmopolitan conclave of the Global city in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

A total pot of P425,000 is at stake, with the men’s champion getting P50,000 and the winner in the distaff side receiving P30,000.

But more than the prizes at stake, the biggest winner in the event would ultimately be the future generations of Filipinos, who would be able to enjoy the rebirth of the Pasig River and share in the bounty and beauty of what was once Manila’s most precious jewel, according to Esguerra.

Other relate activities are set to take place a day (Feb. 28) prior to the run including a family sports and recreation expo at the NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio.