Comments on: Manila International Marathon?

By: loganfam

loganfam — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:34:30 +0000

Greetings again sir, Great write up and GREAT CHALLENGE! I hope too that it will come to a reality.

By: Topics about Maratons | Manila International Marathon?

Topics about Maratons | Manila International Marathon? — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:15:17 +0000

[...] Bald Runner placed an observative post today on Manila International Marathon?Here’s a quick excerptOne of the members of the Team Bald Runner-Professional Group had asked me why is it that the Philippines does not have an international marathon race which could be at par with the Standard Chartered Bank-sponsored ASEAN city’s marathon races like Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hongkong, Mumbai, Hanoi, Taipeh/Taiwan and other cities around us which are considered as international marathon events? I answered him that there was a Manila International Marathon during the late 70s and early 80s which w [...]

By: testing » Manila International Marathon?

testing » Manila International Marathon? — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:14:02 +0000

[...] Go here to see the original: Manila International Marathon? [...]

By: runningshield

runningshield — Fri, 08 May 2009 08:00:04 +0000

i totally agree with you. i admire your drive to bring the Running Races in the phil a bar higher. Hopefully our govt will be proactive and fully suport this endevour. Manil Marathon ___ or Philippine Marathon ___. for your info the goal of the Condura run is to have a FULL MARATHON in 2012. same time as the London Olympics. Thank you

By: sfrunner

sfrunner — Fri, 08 May 2009 02:04:35 +0000

Hi Jovie. I do know that the Manila International Marathon was around in 1982. It was one of many races under the auspices of a group called AIMS (Association Of International Marathons and Road Races). There were some notable people in the group including Scott Thomasson (San Francisco Marathon and at the time, the Pamakid Runners president), Fred Lebow (NYC Marathon) and Katherine Switzer (AVON group).

To my knowledge, I’m not sure if AIMS is still around today but the group celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2007. The group was responsible for certifing courses with the famous wheel. The IAAF adopted it later.

By: martinlorenzo

martinlorenzo — Fri, 08 May 2009 00:50:28 +0000

Sir Jovie,

I am also a consultant (commissioner) for DOT under Usec Cynthia Carrion (on my spare time). We have a meeting for scuba diving related activities next tuesday (May 12) at 10am at the DOT HQ in TM Kalaw. We can meet with Usec Carrion before 10am to discuss this proposed Int’l Manila Marathon. I am sure she would listen and act on it. She has been at the forefront of scuba diving and health/wellness promotion in the country. Lately, we have been busy with medical tourism.

It all boils down to allocation of budget. Public-private partnership is needed here, with the private sector taking more charge on this initiative. But due to the current economic crisis, most companies have withheld such extra-curricular promotions, unless you have the helm leader as a runner himself (i.e. triathlete Fred Uytengsu). Perhaps the Asian Development Bank may assist in this event, as part of their poverty alleviation or gender specific project. Just a thought.

See you sunday at Botak, rain or shine.

Martin Lorenzo

By: melyet

melyet — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:57:44 +0000

Manila International Marathon should be revived…. We have the 1st QC International Marathon and Subic International Marathon that will be held this year… I think someone with a very strong background in Marathon should spearhead this race…. and big sponsors will start to participate.

By: rickgaston

rickgaston — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:07:27 +0000

That’s a shame. People in charge of something they no nothing about, unfortunately all too common. As you know San Francisco has two marathons, the one you participated in and the Women’s Nike Marathon. Both do not offer prize money so it is not attended by elite runners, however as you mentioned, they raise a lot of money for charity and bring a lot of tourism dollars to the city. For two years I was an aid station captain for the Nike event and the last year I did it, 2007, they raised 14 million dollars for the Leukemia & Lymphoma society. I’m sure they raised more than that in 08. It sells out and keeps on growing every year since it’s inception in 2004 and gives us lots of tourism dollars.

As per your question on my blog. Yes Sir Jovie, that was a Buff Headgear. I wear those in cold/rainy weather. I like to pull it up over my face to keep my face warm especially when the rain starts going sideways. I still prefer a bandana since I can wrap ice in it in hot weather and use as a compression bandage (saved me in three big runs).

By: runnerforchrist

runnerforchrist — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:44:27 +0000

I don’t think this one will click…San Miguel Beer manila int’l marathon nor the following: Marlboro Manila Int’l Marathon, Barangay Ginebra Manila Int’l Marathon for conflict of interest? (beer at water station or cigarette at the finish line? lol)

And what about the following still not mentioned but with the capacity to sponsor/organize? Adidas, Nike, Mizuno and New balance? and the running premier in our country-Milo?

Cobra is now sponsoring Ironman in Camsur, why not an International Marathon?

It’s so sad that while there are galore of runners in our country, an International running event is still lacking.

Thanks for posting Sir. If no one will do it, then let’s join our forces like we did in BDM, and lead us again the way!

God bless.

By: runmanila

runmanila — Thu, 07 May 2009 11:30:12 +0000

I like the Gintong Alay program — regardless of any weaknesses it had. Aspirational, Excellence, Clear Goals, Membership Pride. We wait for the day that a similar one comes forth with the right kind of leadership suited in the Philippine sport scene — that will have the same impact.

It is said a country’s national sports program is a reflection of its political ways. So we wait. And hope that it comes sooner.

Until then, we depend on the private sector and kindred spirits who have passion for whichever sport they are into to develop it. For running, we have people like you, running shield, runrio perhaps, and others.