i TV Pinoy

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

-- Fresh from his international marathon victory last month, Kenyan Vincent Chepsiror bagged another victory at the Philippine International Marathon 2009: A Run for the Pasig River on Sunday.

“I feel tired but later I’ll be all right,” Chepsiror told ABS-CBN News after winning the 42-kilometer marathon.

Chepsiror, who has been running for 8 years already, won the Subic International Marathon last month. He said he prepared for the Philippine International Marathon for 3 months.

“I saw the Pasig River along the way, I want it to be clean,” the Kenyan runner stated.

The marathon, which was joined by thousands of runners, was organized by Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP) to increase awareness about the Pasig River rehabilitation project. It had categories in 3K, 5K, 10K and the full 42K.

The 42K kicked off at 4:30 a.m. at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park. Runners went through a route designed to give the public a glimpse of the state of the Pasig River.

The non-traditional route crossed some of the bridges of Pasig River. It also had portions that were run alongside the river.

Run for the future

Gina Lopez, managing director of the ABS-CBN Foundation told the marathon participants: “We want to clean the Pasig River, so we want the runners to see it... Basta tulong-tulong tayo malilinis ang Pasig.”

Philippine International Marathon 2009: A Run for the Pasig River project director Girlie Aragon said that proceeds of the event will go to the rehabilitation of the river.

Aragon cited the “overwhelming support” for their advocacy run.

“We can do it together, today we run with hope in our hearts… Today we run together, today we all run for our future,” added Lopez.

Not all runners

Among the thousands of runners were ABS-CBN chairman and CEO Gabby Lopez, former President Fidel V. Ramos, former First Lady Amelita “Ming” Ramos, Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Kit Zobel and former Miss Universe Margie Moran-Floirendo.

“Some of us here really can’t call ourselves runners, but we all know why we are here today. It’s because we care for environment, for a cleaner and vibrant Pasig before I turn 90,” said First Philippine Holdings Corp (FPHC) chairman Oscar M. Lopez.

“As long as we all continue to care and believe, anything is possible. Magkapit-bisig tayo lahat para sa Pasig,” he added.

Anthony Pangilinan, his wife Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan and their daughter also joined in the fun. Actor Ricky Davao said of the event, “It’s for a very, very good cause.”

Runner Amiel Tenorio, a 42K participant, meanwhile, disclosed that he trained every day for 1 week for the Philippine International Marathon.

Chito Vegim, a member of the Fairview Running Club, said he was going to run for the rehabilitation of the Pasig River in order to restore its beauty. He prepared for the run for 2 months.