The record of 2:30:25 established by Navy man Crisanto Canillo will be the yardstick for the 408 registered long-distance runners who will answer the gun at 4:30 a.m. in front of the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros.
Among the runners to watch are national pool member Roy Vence and long-distance runner Ronald Despi in the men’s division. Canillo will not be around to defend his title this year. On the distaff side Daisy Castillon and 1995 Milo marathon winner Lisa Relox loom as the top favorites in the absence of Liza Yambao, last year’s first placer.
Three other side running events will take off at 6 a.m. at Fort Bonifacio – the 10-K, 5-K and 3-K minor races — open to those who feel they are not yet up to the demands of the full 42-K race.
The environmentally-themed race annually scheduled to be run on the last Sunday of February, is an advocacy program organized by the Clean & Green Foundation, Inc. to support the government’s program to rehabilitate the Pasig River through the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC).
It is supported by Colgate-Palmolive, Phils. Herma Group of Companies, Unilever Philippines, DuPont Philippines, SM Foundation, Purefoods Hotdogs, Avia Shoes, Philippine Plastic Industries Association, Polystyrene Packaging Council of the Philippines, Fibisco Biscuits, Splash Foundation and Spyder Sunglasses.