QC mounts 1st global night run

MANILA, Philippines - More than 9,000 pro and amateur runners are expected to participate in the fourth Quezon City International Marathon set to fire off Nov. 29 at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

Unlike in its first three stagings, the QCIM will be the first to be held at night.

“We’ve decided to bring it back, bigger and better by having a special category for Quezon City residents,” said Quezon City councilors Vincent Belmonte and Dorothy Delarmente during the event’s recent launch also graced by City administrator Aldrin Cuna and Maria Cecilia Annonuevo of the AIDS Society of the Philippines.

Belmonte and Delarmente, both avid marathoners, represented QC Mayor Herbert Bautista for the event.

Race director Jay Em said the run will cover only four categories – 3K, 5K, 10K and 21K.

“We decided not to pursue a full marathon (42 kilometers) because we want to encourage people to experience the event, have fun and celebrate the 75th anniversary of Quezon City.”

“This year, the public support for the QCIM will make the race an effective platform for informing people about climate change and how they can best adapt to it,” said the two councilors.

QC has been declared by the United Nations as one of the cities with “measurable, reportable, and verifiable actions on climate change” being one of the signatories of the Mexico Pact in line with the Global Cities Covenant on Climate Change.

Part of the proceeds of the QCIM night run will go to the recruitment of volunteers for the AIDS Society of the Philippines.

The theme for the 75th anniversary celebration of QC is “Future Perfect.”