Organizers bare major roads along QCIM routes closed

MANILA, Philippines - Organizers of the second Quezon City International Marathon the other day issued the event’s traffic advisory in advance so motorists and commuters can adjust and plan ahead of the running spectacle unfolding in the early morning of Dec. 5 at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

“This traffic advisory is being given ahead of time so travelers around the area can prepare their schedules earlier on that day and avoid any inconvenience,” Atty. Rudy Fernandez, chairman of the organizing Executive Runners Club Philippines Inc. (Runnex), said.

From 12 a.m. to 12 p.m. of the race day, traffic will be closed around the QC Circle, the portion of Commonwealth Avenue headed towards Fairview, C.P Garcia Street, University Avenue and the University of the Philippines-Diliman Academic oval, Fernandez said.

These are the locations that he advised the motoring and commuting public should possibly avoid and work around if they will be traveling near or in the vicinity of the second QCIM sponsored by SM Development Corporation, Robinson’s Land Corporation, San Jose Builders, San Miguel Corporation, Unilab, Meralco, Maxima, Ayala Land, Unilever, Isuzu Philippines, SSS, Manila Water, Immuvit, Herbalife, Hitachi and hydration partner Powerade.

“While we are after the safety and welfare of our runners, we also are keenly aware that the public should be given advance notice of our race routes so they won’t encounter problems when they are traveling on that day,” he added of the competition that has media sponsors GMA, ABS-CBN, DZMM, The Philippine Star, Takbo.ph, Auto Review, and Philippine Amateur Radio Association as communications partner.

This year’s second edition of the footraces is dubbed “’Lead Run for Green Quezon City International Marathon 2010,” which is part of the commitment of Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte to highlight QC as an environment-friendly city.

Bautista and Belmonte have personally endorsed the blue-ribbon running event that also aims to showcase the city’s top sites and attractions and serves as the climax to the 71st foundation anniversary activities of the city that began last Oct. 12.

The route of the second QCIM will cover the city’s most important government, business, education and entertainment centers, passing through Elliptical Road, the UP Diliman campus, Commonwealth Avenue, the La Mesa Ecopark, ending in front of the Quezon City Hall.

Fernandez also announced that race packets of the entries can be claimed at the covered gym behind U.P. College of Human Kinetics until today.

On tap are the 5K, 10K, 21K and 42K full marathon.