Pasig run set to break 'Guinness'

MANILA, Philippines - Gaining momentum from last year’s milestone-setting staging, the “11.20.2011 Run for the Pasig,” the country’s biggest eco-foot race, is poised to make another assault on the Guinness World Records on Nov. 20.

“Our aim is to break the world record for the second year in a row,” Gina Lopez, ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. managing director and concurrent Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission chairperson, said during yesterday’s press launch at Midas Hotel & Casino.

Last year, the fun run dubbed “10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River” attracted 116,086 runners to break a 20-year-old world mark for the “Most number of participants in a racing event.” It raise a net of P12 million for the rehab of Estero de Paco and relocation of some 1,200 families to Calauan.

Lopez said the 2011 staging targets 150,000 runners for the 3K, 5K, and 10K races, which will all converge at the finish line at the SM Mall of Asia globe. A net P20 million is projected for the “11.20.2011 Run for the Pasig River,” earmarked for the initial rehab of Estero de San Miguel, one of the five network of esteros behind Malacañang.

“Last year, there’s easily around 150,000 people but we weren’t able to count properly because we used manual counting. This year, we’re gonna do it with chips – RFID (radio frequency identification) tags – so when you step on the starting line and cross the finish line, they’ll be automatically counted,” she said.

Likewise, organizers will do away with the usual practice of awarding cash prizes to the top finishers.

“It will be a purely advocacy run,” said Eric Imperio, one of the race directors along with Thumbie Remigio and Rio dela Cruz. “We’re doing away with prize money. Eveybody who wakes up and participates is already a winner.”

A ceremonial 21K run going around Metro Manila and passing by Estero de Paco will also be held, exclusively for KBPIP sponsors and partners.

Azkals defender Jason Sabio, who co-hosted the launch, promised to participate and tag along some of his Azkals teammates.