Run For Ilog PasigTHE world’s biggest footrace might well take place in the Philippines when ABSCBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) and Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP) meet their target for the second edition of A Run for the Pasig River taking place in a little over eight weeks.

If 120,000 runners participate in the fun run on October 10, 2010, it will grab the world record of 110,000 set by the Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco, California in 1988. The inaugural Run for the Pasig River in November 2009, which attracted 23,000 runners, was “unprecedented for a first run.”

“We always want to grow bigger. So on 10.10.10, we not only decided to put on a marathon, we have also decided to break the Guinness world record by going for 120,000 registered participants,” said AFI managing director and KBPIP project director Gina Lopez.

Lopez is certain that Filipinos can break the record. “The only reason I’m very confident that we can hit 130,000 [participants] is because of all our partners—the schools, army, police, corporate donors and local agencies and governments…Surely the Filipinos can beat the world record in terms of running with our hearts,” she said.

As of July 9, some 90,000 pledges have been received from universities and colleges under the Commission on Higher Education; Pasig River communities; the armed services; the El Shaddai religious movement; and corporations. About 30% of the runners thus far come from the academe.

About 3,000 runners from Lopez Group companies, notably ABS-CBN, have also signed up for the activity. The October run will have four different starting points—SM Mall of Asia for the 3K run under race director Thumbie Remigio; the CCP Complex for the 5K and Ayala Triangle for 10K under Rio dela Cruz; and the 21K, which will be a by-invitation only affair, at SM Marikina. Also, instead of a finisher’s medal, participants will get a bracelet made from recycled materials by the relocatees of KBPIP.

“At the end of the day, Pasig River is not my river,” said Lopez. “It’s everyone’s river, it’s everyone’s responsibility. And if everyone feels the same way and takes it on and has a keen sentiment, then there is no way—no way—that that river will not be clean. So I hope everyone joins us on 10.10.10.” For more info, visit www.101010runfor pasigriver.com.