Buenavista, Banayag banner International RP marathon field

The country’s top long distance runners Eduardo Buenavista and Jho-Ann Banayag are expected to be back and defend their respective titles when the 2008 edition of the International Philippine Marathon is run next month.

A cash prize of P100,000 awaits the winner in the men’s class while P75,000 will go to the champion in the distaff side of the event that serves as advocacy program for the rehabilitation of the Pasig River.

Former First Lady Amelita “Ming” Ramos, chairperson of the organizing Clean and Green Foundation, is again spearheading the event, which now has a new chairman in the person of Sen. Pia Cayetano.

Both Ramos and Cayetano appeared in the  PSA Forum at the Shakey’s United Nations Avenue branch where they were joined by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim the other day.

“Using the ever-growing popularity of the sport, the Pasig Marathon is an annual advocacy project to harness the popular support for the rehabilitation of the Pasig River,” Ramos said in the public sports program sponsored by Shakey’s and Pagcor.

“Clean and Green Foundation is doing this in behalf of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It is our intention that the Filipino people do not forget and the international community to know that we desire a living and clean Pasig River.”

First held in 2000 and later on expanded to accept foreign runners, the race will have a new route for this year starting at the Marikina Riverbanks Center and ending at the Quirino Grandstand.

The new route, according to the former First Lady, now includes the communities within the 407 barangays  along the Pasig River.

Also during the forum, organizers presented a new Pasig Marathon logo, designed by renowned international firm Leo Burnett.

Aside from the 42-k centerpiece event, also on tap are 10-k and 5-k runs and a 3-kilometer race for children ten years old and younger. The third staging of the event’s Cheer Dance Competition will also be held, in cooperation with the Cheer Leaders’ Association of the Philippines.