Sofitel fun run draws record 6,000 runners

MANILA, Philippines - Sofitel Philippine Plaza staged its inaugural Manila three-in-one fun runs (21K, 10K and 5K) with a record-breaking 6,000 runners – all for the cause of the street children of Manila through the Virlanie Foundation.

The hotel said the successful Sofitel Manila event nearly doubled the registration, with more than 3,500 runners registered for the 21K alone, drawing the fastest foreign and local runners, professionals and amateurs alike.

The top three winners were Elphiz Kiptarus (01:09:18), Eliud Kering (01:14:39) and Rafael Poliquit (01:16:42) in the 21K, Richard Salano (32:50), Anthony Nerza (33:20) and Mark Anthony Oximar (34:31) in the 10K and Albert Valencia (16:05), Kimbert Sarmiento (16:08) and Ben Alejandrino (16:13) in the 5K.

“The event aims to put Manila on the runners world map. The half marathon is envisaged to progress into a full marathon so we can make the race included in the international marathons calendar. All fun runs that we organize are dedicated to the children of Virlanie Foundation. The proceeds help contribute to a better future for the children of Manila,” said Adam Laker, Sofitel Philippine Plaza general manager, who also attributed the success of the event to its partnership with Run Rio and the support of sponsors like Gatorade Timex and Gold’s Gym.

The Sofitel Manila Half Marathon follows the two highly successful running events brought about by the Sofitel-Run Rio partnership in 2013 – the first two legs of the Sofitel Run Rio Battle of the Sexes.