11.20.2011 Run for the Pasig River

“Matanglawin” anchor Kuya Kim Atienza, singer-actress Karylle, and Pinoy Biggest Loser grand winner Larry Martin along with other Kapamilya stars are set to join thousands of Filipinos to break the Guinness World Record of last year’s eco-foot race in the “11.20.2011 Run for the Pasig River” this Sunday (Nov 20).

“We are going to hit big numbers,” said Monchet Olives, the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI)’s chief strategic officer.

Larry will run the 10K race, while Pinoy Biggest Loser contestants Angela Lupango, Hazel Chua, Raffy Tan, Art Mendoza, Andy Gomez de Liano, Leigh Villegas, Joy Siy, and Eboy Bautista are going for 5K.

“We’re asking people to go out and be healthy on that day,” said Eric Imperio, the 11.20.2011’s overall race director.

AFI managing director Gina Lopez will also join the fun run, which aims to raise funds for the initial rehabilitation of Estero de San Miguel as part of the seven-year program to clean up the Pasig River.

The Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig’s strategy is to clean up the esteros that drain into the Pasig River. In 2010, the KBPIP organized the world-record breaking 10.10.10 run to raise consciousness for the rehabilitation of the river and its tributaries, particularly the rehabilitation of Estero de Paco, a 2.9-kilometer tributary of the Pasig River in Manila.

Lopez will join other business executives in the charity run, namely ABS-CBN Corporation president Eugenio Lopez III, Ayala Corporation president Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Alaska Milk Corporation president Fred Uytengsu and ABS-CBN Cable Channels and Print Media Group head Ernie Lopez who will all participate in the 21K charity run.

Surprise appearances by other Kapamilya stars await the running enthusiasts for the pre- and post-race programs.

Aside from actually running on the event day, other Kapamilya celebrities such as Anne Curtis, Jodi Sta. Maria, Ces Drilon and TJ Manotoc have helped the “11.20.2011 Run for the Pasig River” by retweeting @run4pasigriver announcements.

Meanwhile, the advocacy run’s organizers have decided to abandon the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) to count the number of runners because of cost and reliability concerns. Instead, an independent auditing firm SyCip, Gorres & Velayo (SGV) will be managing 360 counters stationed on chutes near the finish line.

To accommodate all the expected runners on the race day, the SM Mall of Asia will be open for 48 hours from Saturday to Sunday (Nov 19 to Nov 20).

Compared to last year’s run, this year’s assembly time will start earlier at 3 am, while the 3K, 5K, and 10K races will start at exactly 4:45 am to regain normal traffic on Roxas Boulevard by 8 am.

Martin Aguda, head of ABS-CBN Safety and overall head of security and safety for the 11.20.2011 run, advised non-participants to avoid the race routes because heavy traffic is expected.

The “11.20.2011 Run for the Pasig River” has 3K, 5K and 10K categories. The registration fees are P300 for 3K and 5K and P450 for 10K. Students can pay P150 for their registration fees for 3K and 5K if they present their valid identification cards.
The monumental 10.10.10 fun run last year broke the Guinness World record of 110,000 previously held by the 1988 “Bay to Breakers” race in San Francisco, USA. KBPIP used the P12 million raised for the cleaning operations on the esteros behind the Malacañang Palace, which flow into the Pasig River.

Participants of the Run for The Pasig River may also avail the cause’s limited-edition merchandise, which are now available in selected shops such as in SM North Edsa (2nd floor, main bldg), SM Megamall (lower ground floor, bldg. A), SM Mall of Asia (ground floor, main mall), ABS-CBN Store (ELJ bldg), R.O.X (Bonifacio High Street), The Athlete’s Foot (Glorietta 3) and ABS-CBN online store abscbnstore.multiply.com.

The items that can be purchased are the race singlets made out of recycled PET fabric, logo and statement shirts, caps and visors, plus the limited edition Looney Tunes Run for The Pasig River shirts by Warner Brothers, featuring cartoon characters such as Taz, Bugs Bunny, Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote.

Registration is ongoing until Tuesday (Nov 15) at SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, Athlete’s Foot Glorietta 3, and R.O.X. For more information, visit www.runforthepasigriver.com or www.facebook.com/runforthepasigriver and follow @run4pasigriver on Twitter.