Perhaps, among the three marathons mentioned, it seems that QCIM is the most visible in terms of publicity as news articles on its staging have been appearing in the major newspapers and tabloids. And i sincerely wish that all three do succeed in getting the numbers for a strong staging.
Yesterday morning, the Q.C. government headed by Mayor Sonny Belmonte and the Executive Runners Club of the Philippines (Runnex) hosted the press launching of the QCIM at the Max Restaurant inside the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City. About 100 media people representing print, TV and radio attended. I was with a host of bloggers representing the running community as with the race directors from Finishline, Vince and Rio.
Crowd at the Presscon
QCIM’s Communications Head, Ron Delos Reyes (Autoreview) started the proceedings by welcoming the guests, giving an update of the race, the invitations he gave to foreign runners through PATAFA and mentioning the corporate sponsors. Rudy Fernandez and Art Disini, Runnex President and Chairman, respectively gave their own short speeches. Rudy cited the marathon’s role in sprucing up the city’s tourism potential and as an emerging global center for business and investment. Art tackled the event’s mission and vision which is to make QCIM as among Asia’s top marathons in the future.
For his part, Mayor Sonny Belmonte extolled the city’s previous leaders who laid the foundation of what the city is today and that the QCIM would be one of its catalyst.
Presidential Table
Sen. Pia giving an inspirational talk
The story of how Senator Pia Cayetano started her sports activities, her running in major marathons and triathlons all over the world has been told several times but never as compelling as she herself narrates her beginnings as a 15 year old who ran at the UP campus. She offers her past to present personal stories on how she got started– as a volleyball player in the Philippine team, running a marathon 3 weeks before her bar exams and competing in triathlons– always pushing herself to the limits. She’s always asked why she runs and would answer them back with the simple question, “Why not?”
With Art Disini, Runnex Chair, Sen. Pia Cayetano & Mayor Sonny Belmonte
Mayor on left with Dra. Doray Delarmente, Rudy Fernandez (Runnex Pres) and Betty Rosario (Runnex Vice Chairman)
Bloggers on our table, Sir Jovie ( baldrunner ) and Marga ( The Changeling Child and Run Radio)
Bloggers Vener (run unlimited ), Pojie (forefootrunner) Doc Eric (edebelenmd)
Coach Jojo Macalintal and Vince Mendoza of Finishline
Sen Pia with Art Disini, Jun Cayetano, Ofie Templo, some Runnex members and Ron's team
Atty. Romy Mendoza, Meriam and Direk Ruben Trinidad
Runnex Pres. Rudy and Vice Chair Betty with the bloggers
BR having an animated conversation with a friend as Marga watches the proceedings
Vince Mendoza answering a query
Finishline’s Vince Mendoza (Race Director) was fielded questions from time to time, often on previous incidents involving their races liked the recent fiasco on the race packets delivery before the Urbanite race. Lessons were learned and he promised to iron-out all potential problems for the QCIM.
Many were impressed on the prizes as QCIM has been poised to carve itself as having the richest purse among local races with the champions in both male and female divisions getting P300,000.00 each and P200,000.00 and P100,000.00 each for the 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively.
As with the Globe-Run For Home Race and the recent Kenny Rogers Urbanite Run, the QCIM will use the advance electronic timing chips (Champion-chips) in all categories that will record the participants’ performance and provide analysis on their run. Color-coded running singlets will also be used.
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