The 5-km race caters not only to the regular runners but also to Filipinos coming from all walks of life as they rally behind their compatriots’ aim for 120 golds and the overall championship.
"We at Patakbong Pinoy are doing our part in preparing the Filipino mindset not only for the spirit of competition, but also the enjoyment that comes with participation in sports," said Jonel Promotions head Nelson Macaraig, who has allied his group with the Media Runners and Sports Promotions for the event that started last year.
Zest-O Corporation, the company behind Beam Toothpaste and Zest-O Juice Drinks, supported the athletes when Beam was named official toothpaste of the Philippine team to the last year’s Vietnam SEA Games here it won 49 golds for fourth place.
"Our athletes need all the help they can get. They need to know that all of the Filipinos are behind them," Macaraig added as he emphasized advocacy for the SEAG starts with coming legs in the Philippine National Police Academy and the Philippine Army.
PNPA leg set at Camp Gen. Mariano Castañeda in Silang, Cavite on July 18 will be exclusive to cadets of the school while the Army leg, penciled July 29 at Fort Bonifacio, will feature regular Army enlisted personnel except the Army’s marathon team.
Like their counterparts in the recent Philippine Military Academy leg in Baguio, the PNPA and Army will welcome the Patakbong Pinoy for the very first time.