Computer chips to be installed in QC Marathon

MANILA, Philippines - Runners will be able to gauge their personal performance through computer chips that will be issued in the Quezon City International Marathon firing off Oct. 18 at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

“Participants in the QCIM can assess their performance based on the advanced electronic timing chips or ‘champion-chips’ that we will provide them each for the race,” Rudy Fernandez, president of the organizing Executive Runners Club (Runnex), said.

“They can use this unique feature as an objective basis to improve their forms in future races,” Fernandez said.

On top of that, there will be pacers in each race category to boost the morale and encourage the participants to finish their events, he said.

Fernandez said these plus factors are drawing more and more local and foreign running enthusiasts to the road races sponsored by San Miguel Corp., The Philippine STAR, New San Jose Builders, GMA Network, Puregold, Fern C, Fern Slim and Nissan Navara.

Individual runners have until today to register for the event, highlight of the 70th founding anniversary celebration of Quezon City under Mayor Sonny Belmonte.

The registration centers are Nike branches at Bonifacio High Street, Taguig; The Podium, Ortigas Center; Mall of Asia in Pasay City, Festival Mall in Alabang; and the Trinoma mall in Quezon City; Second Wind Running Store on 88 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village ; Quezon City Hall ground floor and at the National Engineering Center, Juinio Hall Room 403, Agoncillo St., UP Diliman.

Groups can still sign up until Tuesday at the Quezon City Hall ground floor.

The group with the biggest participation gets P50,000. Fees for the 5K and 10K remain at P300 for each entry, P500 for the 21K run and P650 for the full marathon.

A total of P3 million in cash and special prizes is at stake, with P300,000 going to the men’s and women’s marathon champion, P200,000 to the runner-up and P100,000 to third placer.

The men’s and women’s 21K winners will each take home P30,000, the second placers P20,000 and third P10,000. All finishers in the full and half marathon will receive a QCIM medal each.

The event is also supported by Shoemart, Ayala Land, Robinsons Land, Nike, Salonpas, Maxima, Manila Water, Timex, 100 Plus, Fitness First, Nature Valley and Universidad.